John Deere partners with SureFire Ag Systems

Mar 28, 2022

SureFire to brand as SurePoint for its joint venture with John Deere to create more tech-savvy fertilizer and spraying mixing solutions.

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image via SureFire Ag Systems

Deere & Company (ie John Deere) has joined SureFire Ag Systems and its subsidiary, SureFire Electronics to provide a new take on planter fertilizer and sprayer mixing systems.

Based in Atwood, Kansas, the SureFire companies state that the joint venture will operate under the brand names SurePoint Ag Systems and SurePoint Electronics. That’s “point” rather than “fire”.

SurePoint designs and manufactures liquid fertilizer application and spray tendering systems as well as anhydrous and irrigation injection equipment.

It builds customized kits to upgrade fertilizer application technology on planters, with instructions and teams that can help dealers install kits for customers. To get your head around what that means, just think about the Ford Shelby Mustang or the Ford Saleen Mustang—upgraded versions of the Ford Mustang ponycar.

SurePoint works across various brands, providing producers with increased options for planter fertilizer systems and access to new technology. Through the joint venture, SurePoint will have access to select Deere technologies to enhance productivity across a wide range of products.

SurePoint was founded in 2007 as SureFire Ag Systems by Josh and Lisa Wolters, Blaine and Erin Ginther, and Matt Wolters, who saw an opportunity to help producers better apply fertilizer, chemicals, and other crop inputs. In 2012, SureFire Electronics was created to address the need for electrical components to support precision. Together, the companies have over 80 full-time employees.

“Producers are continually looking for opportunities to upgrade existing equipment with new technology to enhance productivity, sustainability, and reduce costs,” said Miles Keaton, Director of Performance Upgrades at John Deere. “We appreciate SurePoint’s focus on providing modern technology for existing equipment with the customization needed to easily install valuable solutions.”

Added Josh Walters, Chief Executive Officer at SurePoint Ag Systems: “The SurePoint team remains committed to helping customers across all brands of equipment and is excited to be able to work with more producers to adopt and utilize more leading technology. Growing this business continues to be important to us. We look forward to growing further with a market leader.”

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.