While embedded machinery technologies such as automatic steering, nozzle control and boom mechanics have played a massive role in improving spray efficacy, industry experts believe the next big step will involve the digital technologies.
John Deere precision agriculture manager Ben Kelly said farmers and contractors needed to assess new machines as part of a larger technology system.
"It's becoming bigger than just a sprayer or a tractor in isolation. They are becoming linked in a system," he said.
"The addition of telematics is bringing in the automation of data flow and management.
"You can automate data flow to the cloud, you don't have to worry about USB sticks anymore and you can share that information with trusted advisors."
Mr Kelly said the Operations Center, a part of the MyJohnDeere platform, was a management platform where operators could manage not only their their data but also their equipment.
"It is becoming a management system that can be used in real time," he said.
"From a mobile phone a farmer can log in and see all of their machines.
"They can see where the machines are and what sort of spray job they are doing.
"You have the ability to see what rate they are spraying, what ground speed they are travelling at, and much more.
"This can allow oversight on the quality of the job and early identification of any problems, particularly when using less experienced operators."
Mr Kelly said continued improvement in digital connectivity across farms was key to getting the most benefit out of these digital technologies.
"We have a number of systems now that allow better management in real time, but it does rely on connectivity," he said.
"However, if the machine can't send the data out it will store it until it comes back in range."
Mr Kelly said John Deere's acquisition of the machine learning company, Blue River, was another signal of where the company believed the future of machinery was heading.
"Skilled labour is getting harder to find, particularly in peak periods," he said.
"So building additional automation into the machine and providing remote management is the future."