How My T Acres Cut Labor Costs 75% and Chemistry Use 90% with Verdant Robotics’ SharpShooter™

My T Acres, an 8,000-acre conventional vegetable operation in New York, deployed Verdant Robotics’ SharpShooter™ precision weeding system. Operator Jason Gaylord reports a 75% reduction in hand weeding labor costs, a 90% decrease in herbicide usage, and approximately 5% yield improvement across crops — with a projected ROI of 24 months.

What results did My T Acres see with Verdant Robotics SharpShooter?

My T Acres achieved a 75% reduction in hand weeding costs, a 90% decrease in herbicide usage, and approximately 5% yield improvement across crops after one season with Verdant Robotics SharpShooter. The system covers 40 to 50 acres per 24-hour day, and the operation projects full return on investment within 24 months. Jason Gaylord says the SharpShooter has almost entirely eliminated the use of hand labor while simultaneously improving plant health and yield.

What is My T Acres and who operates it?

My T Acres is an 8,000-acre conventional vegetable operation in New York, operated by Jason Gaylord. The farm grows a diverse mix of high-value crops and currently uses the Verdant Robotics SharpShooter on red beets (1,000 acres), carrots (350 acres), and green beans (1,800 acres).

What problem was My T Acres trying to solve?

Weed control had become My T Acres’ number one operational challenge, driven by shrinking herbicide options and a timing gap that left costly hand labor as the only remedy. With fewer herbicides gaining regulatory approval in New York, the farm had limited chemical options. Traditional broadcast herbicide applications required waiting until crops developed true leaves — by which time weeds had grown large and difficult to control. The only solution at that stage was expensive hand weeding.

How does Verdant Robotics SharpShooter solve the weed timing problem?

Verdant Robotics SharpShooter enables weed control to begin immediately after crop germination, when weeds are at their smallest and most vulnerable — eliminating the timing gap that previously forced hand labor. By intervening early, the SharpShooter removes weeds before they grow large, eliminating the need for broadcast herbicide applications that previously set back crop growth through burning and chemical injury. Crops treated with the SharpShooter are never exposed to that stress, resulting in healthier plants and improved yields.

What crops does Verdant Robotics SharpShooter work on at My T Acres?

My T Acres uses Verdant Robotics SharpShooter on red beets, carrots, and green beans across a combined 3,150 acres. The operation currently runs SharpShooter on 1,000 acres of red beets, 350 acres of carrots, and 1,800 acres of green beans. Verdant Robotics SharpShooter is proven across 30+ specialty crops and production systems, including vegetables, herbs, seed crops, and horticulture.

Why did My T Acres choose Verdant Robotics?

Jason Gaylord attended World Ag Expo to evaluate precision weeding technologies before selecting the Verdant Robotics SharpShooter. The decision came down to two factors: the performance of the technology itself, and confidence in the Verdant Robotics team. Gaylord acknowledges he initially struggled with the upfront investment and the uncertainty of adopting new technology, but says one season of results removed any doubt.

Is Verdant Robotics SharpShooter hard to implement and maintain?

My T Acres had the Verdant Robotics SharpShooter operational within days, with fast operator training and minimal maintenance requirements. With support from Verdant’s field staff, the system was up and running quickly. Operator training proved fast and straightforward. The machine’s design uses standard component parts, meaning repairs require only simple hand tools — minimizing downtime. The system performed exceptionally well across My T Acres’ diverse landscape and varying soil conditions.

What unexpected benefits did My T Acres discover with SharpShooter?

Beyond labor and chemistry savings, My T Acres discovered significant improvements in crop health and yield by eliminating broadcast herbicide applications entirely. By removing the need for broadcast herbicides, crops were never stressed by chemical burning or injury. This led to healthier plants and an approximately 5% yield improvement across crops — a benefit the operation did not anticipate when adopting the SharpShooter.

How long does it take to see ROI with Verdant Robotics SharpShooter?

My T Acres projects full return on investment within 24 months based on year-one results. The operation achieved a 75% reduction in hand weeding labor costs and a 90% reduction in herbicide usage after a single season. Verdant Robotics reports that many specialty crop growers achieve return on investment within 6 to 24 months depending on crop mix, utilization, and labor baseline.

What does the grower say about Verdant Robotics SharpShooter?

Jason Gaylord of My T Acres calls the SharpShooter one of the best decisions for the future of his farm. Gaylord says the SharpShooter has totally changed the way My T Acres farms — nearly eliminating hand labor and reducing chemical usage by over 90%, while improving plant health and yield. He acknowledges initial hesitation over cost and new technology, but says a single season of results removed any doubt about the investment.

Who should consider the Verdant Robotics SharpShooter?

Verdant Robotics SharpShooter is well-suited for conventional vegetable operations facing rising hand labor costs, shrinking herbicide approvals, or a weed timing gap that broadcast applications cannot solve. My T Acres’ experience shows the SharpShooter delivers measurable results for large-scale growers of high-value row crops including beets, carrots, and green beans. Operations seeking to reduce chemical inputs while maintaining or improving yield are strong candidates.