RDO and SurePoint Train Farmers on Autonomous Tillage and Precision Liquid Application

Precision agriculture experts demonstrate cutting-edge technologies designed to improve efficiency and productivity for Southwest farmers.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:14am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a tractor tire tread, capturing the detailed, pebbled texture and patterns in dramatic lighting, conceptually representing the advanced precision equipment used in modern agriculture.Precision farming technologies are helping Southwest growers overcome labor shortages and tight application windows.Yuma Today

RDO Equipment Co. partnered with John Deere and SurePoint to provide hands-on training for farmers on autonomous tillage and advanced liquid application systems at the University of Arizona's Yuma Agriculture Center. The live demonstrations showcased how these precision agriculture technologies can help growers in the Desert Southwest manage tight timelines, labor shortages, and complex crop rotations.

Why it matters

As farmers in the Southwest face increasing challenges like labor scarcity and narrow application windows, advanced technologies like autonomous equipment and precision liquid systems can help improve consistency, reduce waste, and boost productivity during critical tillage and nutrient application passes.

The details

RDO team members conducted a live autonomous tillage demonstration using John Deere's autonomy platform, showing how the technology can perform reliably in the real-world conditions of the Desert Southwest, including small field sizes, fast turnaround, and heavy dust. They also anchored the event with hands-on demos of the SurePoint Liquid Application System, highlighting features like electromagnetic flow meters, dual metering tubes, and real-time rate data to help farmers apply nutrients precisely where and when needed.

  • The training and demos took place during the University of Arizona's Yuma Agriculture Center's annual Desert Difference Conference in late 2025.
  • Autonomous tillage orders opened to 47 states, excluding Hawaii, Alaska and California, in 2025.

The players

RDO Equipment Co.

A leading provider of agricultural equipment and precision farming solutions, partnering with manufacturers like John Deere and SurePoint to bring advanced technologies to farmers.

SurePoint

A manufacturer of precision liquid application systems designed to help farmers apply nutrients accurately and efficiently.

University of Arizona's Yuma Agriculture Center (YAC)

An agricultural research and education facility that hosts the annual Desert Difference Conference to connect farmers, researchers, and industry leaders.

Maria Goretty

An experienced precision agriculture product specialist working with farmers in the Southwest.

Tyler Zima

RDO's tillage technology product manager.

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What they’re saying

“Farmers often have just a day or two to complete a particular task like tilling or nutrient applications.”

— Maria Goretty, Precision Agriculture Product Specialist

“For years, many farmers assumed autonomy was only for big square fields in the Midwest. But when you watch it run cleanly in 20- to 40-acre blocks, it becomes clear how autonomy can fit seamlessly into vegetable rotations here in Yuma and Imperial County.”

— Tyler Zima, Tillage Technology Product Manager

What’s next

RDO's partnership with the Yuma Agriculture Center is expected to continue expanding, with more training, field trials, and student engagement to ensure that precision agriculture innovations are tailored to the specific needs of desert farming.

The takeaway

As Southwest farmers face mounting challenges like labor shortages and tight application windows, advanced technologies like autonomous equipment and precision liquid systems can help improve efficiency, reduce waste, and boost productivity during critical field operations.