Smart Tech
Ways Matt McGuire Takes the Lead in Smart Agriculture
October 9, 2025 
Matt McGuire, Chief Agricultural Officer, finds applying sprays with drone swarms works well for JV Smith Companies.
Photo by Rosa Bevington
Matt McGuire and JV Smith Companies are at the forefront of smart agriculture, combining research, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology to help growers optimize efficiency and sustainability. Their approach emphasizes hands-on evaluation whenever possible — testing new tools to understand potential labor savings, crop benefits, and the overall return on investment. Even when a full demo isn’t feasible, they weigh the risks and opportunities carefully, always looking for solutions that improve productivity while supporting sustainable farming practices.
Leading Research
McGuire, the 2023 Grower Achievement Award winner, helped launch the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA) to address plant pathology, soil health, weeds, and tech challenges. JV Smith supports studies on Fusarium-resistant lettuce, downy mildew, and irrigation efficiency, collaborating with top researchers nationwide. The company also provides field and ground support for Fusarium research and allows outside companies to test products, genetics, chemical and biological agents, and operational techniques.
Fields for Testing
JV Smith provides dedicated research fields for universities, seed breeders, and chemical companies. By offering low-cost access and sharing YCEDA findings, McGuire ensures innovation thrives and insights benefit the entire industry.
Smart Tech in Action
From auto-thinners and drone applicators to laser weeding robots and UV water disinfection, JV Smith tests new technologies carefully. Number crunching helps reduce risk, while ROI, labor needs, and sustainability are all considered. Even when full demos aren’t possible, the team weighs potential benefits and adjusts their mindset, recognizing that technology requires regular updates, unlike equipment that growers may hold for generations.
Through collaboration, research, and smart technology, Matt McGuire and JV Smith Companies are shaping the future of agriculture.
Q&A With Matt McGuire
How does the company balance innovation with risk when introducing new technologies?
McGuire: Number crunching is a key part of reducing risk. We also ask, how big is the need? When we first looked into thinners, the ROI was longer than we preferred. However, with labor in short supply, ROI became less important than the reality that without change, we either wouldn’t be able to thin crops or would have to reduce acreage to match available labor. We also had to adjust our mindset: technology is like a phone — it needs to be replaced regularly, whereas growers often hold onto equipment for generations.
How does JV Smith collaborate with researchers and growers to share insights from tech trials?
McGuire: We collaborate on and support much of the research conducted by the University of Arkansas Ag Extension, and YCEDA is also heavily involved. For the past five years, we’ve provided field and ground support for Fusarium research. We also allow outside companies to test their products, genetics, chemical and biological agents, and operational techniques. We’re generally open to questions about any of our technology and welcome inquiries like yours.
Favorite Ag Tech Tools:
Drone Swarms (GTI) – Smaller drones improve accuracy, reduce drift, and keep work going even if one fails.
Matt McGuire likes the results of using smaller and more drones to apply product to crops. It takes longer than a plane or large drone, and current regulations limit three drones per operator. But smaller drones apply product more accurately, cutting down drift. And if one drone stops, the others can keep working.
Photo courtesy of JV Smith Farms
Mechanical Thinners (AgMechtronix) – First-generation auto-thinners cut crews from 20 to eight, saving labor.
A close-up of a Agmechtronix lettuce thinner.
Photo courtesy of Nate Dorsey
Automated Laser Weeder (Carbon Robotics) – AI-powered laser weeders precisely target weeds within half an inch of crops.
Manufactured by Carbon Robotics, the LaserWeeder uses high-resolution cameras and state-of-the-art computing to distinguish between weeds and crops in real-time.
Photo courtesy of Carbon Robotics
NipSit Seed Treatment – Precision seed treatment controls multiple pests, reduces chemical use, and lowers labor, transport, and fuel needs.
Photo courtesy of JV Smith Farms
This is the second in a series of feature articles highlighting influential vegetable growers making an impact.
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