Precision farming is no longer just a buzzword; it is transforming agriculture at every level, and Raven Industries is at the forefront of this revolution. Since developing the first variable-rate control module for sprayers in 1976, the company has steadily shaped how farmers manage inputs, monitor fields, and boost yields.
Founded in the late 1960s in South Dakota, USA, Raven has become central to farming’s digital transformation. Its acquisition in 2021 by CNH Industrial — the global machinery powerhouse behind New Holland and CASE IH — allowed CNH to integrate Raven’s advanced technologies directly into its equipment while also supporting retrofits and third-party solutions. According to Nico Myburgh, CNH’s head of precision technologies for the Middle East and Africa, this step placed “the full value chain under one roof,” enabling smarter, more connected systems from factory to field.
Connected Workflows
Raven’s solutions cover machine control, tractor guidance, and application technologies. All are built on the ISOBUS standard, ensuring compatibility across brands and implements. At the center is Slingshot®, a cloud-based platform that manages machine and field data. Farmers can create real-time work orders, set up variable-rate maps, configure nozzles, and establish field boundaries. Because connected machines share information instantly, multiple units working on the same job can seamlessly coordinate, avoiding overlaps and missed areas.
Slingshot also allows remote monitoring and updates, while storing data in the cloud for season-to-season comparisons and long-term planning.
Precision at Every Level
One of Raven’s cornerstone innovations is the Rate Control Module (RCM), described by Myburgh as “the brains behind every precision pass.” In less than a second, it calculates the optimal application rate for seed, fertiliser, or crop protection and signals the equipment to execute with accuracy. Portable and modular, the RCM can be moved between machines and adapted through plug-ins for multiple applications.
Adding another layer of precision, the HawkEye®2 Nozzle Control System provides individual nozzle control, dynamically adjusting spray rates to conditions like terrain, wind, or turning radius. This not only ensures targeted application but also reduces chemical costs, improves yields, and minimizes drift.
Seeing Beyond the Field
Raven’s integration with vision-based tools takes precision farming even further. The Carbon Bee system, mounted directly on sprayer booms, uses cameras and machine learning to identify weeds or stressed plants and apply chemicals only where needed. The Augmenta® Field Analyzer, positioned on top of tractors or sprayers, captures crop health indicators such as biomass and chlorophyll levels to guide fertilisation or harvest aid applications in real time.
These tools allow farmers to react immediately to what’s happening in the field, moving beyond blanket applications toward highly targeted management.
Guidance and Monitoring
Raven also advances automated steering through the RS1™ GPS unit and DirectSteer™ technology, ensuring equipment stays precisely on course for planting, spraying, or fertilisation. This accuracy underpins all other precision operations, from placing fertiliser at the right depth to reducing wasted inputs.
On the operations side, Raven Connected, embedded in the Slingshot platform, supports fleet management by tracking performance, fuel use, and driver efficiency, while also enabling predictive maintenance. Machines can even slow down or shut off automatically when faults are detected, with many issues fixed remotely through service providers.
The Future of Farming
With Raven’s portfolio now aligned under CNH Industrial, farmers in South Africa and beyond gain access to integrated technologies that boost productivity while reducing costs and environmental impact. Myburgh highlights that precision tools not only improve farm profitability but also encourage sustainable practices by ensuring resources are used responsibly.
As the agriculture sector continues to evolve, Raven’s commitment to connectivity, automation, and precision ensures farmers are equipped to face the future — smart from the start.
For more information, contact:
Nico Myburgh – nico.myburgh@cnh.com