SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Raven Industries expanded its product line to help ag retailers and growers boost their efficiency and profits. The new VSN visual guidance system uses state-of-the-art image sensor and processing technologies to deliver quick response and better control. VSN maintains row guidance at industry-required spraying speeds — from the time when crops are just a few inches post- emerge up to a nearly full canopy — without the use of mechanical feelers.

The patent-pending innovation utilizes a non-contact stereo vision camera to navigate rows, allowing the operator to focus on other important aspects of the spraying operation. This enhanced machine control and simpler operation results in less crop damage and more acres covered each day, ultimately delivering greater profits through superior application efficiency and improved yield.

VSN expands on Raven’s guidance portfolio. The versatile system has been validated for use in corn, soybeans, cotton and sorghum (other applications to follow); is calibrated simply and only once in the field; and allows for spraying operations at speeds exceeding 20 mph. In addition, VSN offers three modes of guidance performance to handle the variety of situations typical with custom application.

The simplicity of the VSN product has been well-received by early users, who are achieving higher speeds in side-by-side comparisons with less crop damage and product overlap.

“I was surprised the system was so simple,” said Jason Bolsen, an applicator with Nutrien Ag Solutions in Cerro Gordo, Ill. with 24 years of spraying experience. “You pulled into a row and went five feet, hit the button and then didn’t worry about it until you got to the other end.”

Raven is accepting pre-orders now for a October 2019 product release.