Harvesting Equipment

Unlocking More With Less Through Precision Agriculture

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:08:08 GMT

Increasing productivity while also using less fuel, water, inputs and time may sound like a dream at today’s farmgate, but a new report called “The Benefits of Precision Ag in the United States” says that very dream is very much a reality for many farms and fields across the U.S.

The report, published collaboratively by Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, CropLife America and National Corn Growers Association, is a follow-up to the landmark 2020 study that first analyzed the potential of precision agriculture technologies to allow farmers and ranchers to do more with less.

It studies precision ag technologies like auto-guidance, machine section control, variable rate application, fleet analytics and telematics and precision irrigation in U.S. production of crops including corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, wheat, sorghum, potatoes, sugar beets, hay and alfalfa.

Quantifying the Impact: Inputs, Resources and Yield

Compared to the study five years ago, the trend of precision agriculture adoption is upward, with farmers reaping the benefits in quantifiable ways, according to Austin Gellings, senior director of agricultural services, AEM.

“The industry continues to see an improvement in input efficiency as a result of precision agriculture,” Gellings says. “Compared to five years ago, we have continued to see productivity increase while the comparative amount of herbicide, fertilizer, fuel and water used on a per unit basis continues to decline.”

The report details its findings of the current savings of critical inputs through precision agriculture, as well as what is possible through increased adoption, including:

An estimated 4 billion pounds of fertilizer application was avoided due to precision agriculture technologies, with an estimated 7 billion pounds of additional fertilizer that could be avoided with broader adoption
An estimated 54 million pounds of herbicide was avoided due to precision agriculture with an estimated 66 million pounds that could be avoided with broader adoption

The report didn’t stop with analysis of inputs, though. The research found similar savings in terms of fuel and water use as well, including:

147 million gallons of fuel saved, the equivalent of 283,000 cars off the road annually or 26,000 fewer flights
Water use has decreased an estimated 5% as a result of precision agriculture, or the equivalent of an estimated 824,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water saved

The savings are helping to unlock an increase in overall productivity fueled by two decades of growth in U.S. corn and soybean yields, the report states.

Critically, the report not only highlights the strides made by adoption of precision agriculture, but what is possible with continued increases.

“The study references savings that could be achieved as a result of precision agricultural technologies if we were to reach full adoption, which we defined as 90-95% adoption,” says Gellings. “These numbers are not necessarily targeted goals, but rather a guiding light for the potential that remains within our industry.”

Quantifying the Impact: On-Farm Pain Points

Gellings encourages farmers to examine their operations for adoption opportunity.

“It is about identifying what the needs of your specific operation are and then identifying the proper technologies that can help you,” he says. “What are the biggest pain points that your operation faces? Once you pinpoint that, it is then about identifying what technologies address those needs while also fitting into the workflow of one’s operation.”

The report shares anonymous grower insights into how that analysis has paid off for their operation through precision agriculture technologies.

In the report, a Kansas farmer growing wheat, soybeans and alfalfa on their operation said, “We’re spraying less chemical, [targeted spray application technology] is saving us money, and it’s better for the environment.”

“We ran through our herbicide costs we were going to have and dropped them by two-thirds. That is going to make our sprayer payment.”

Similarly, a Minnesota corn and soybean farmer had this to say:

“We looked at what we were spending on postemergence weed control and felt we could justify [targeted spray application technology] if we sprayed only 50% of our acres post. In the end, we only sprayed 11% of our corn acres with postemergence herbicide and averaged only spraying 20% of our soybeans with both applications.”

Quantifying the Impact: Agriculture’s Solution Through Precision

The organizations behind the report are hoping that it will serve as a catalyst into conversations with policymakers and consumers around stewardship within the agriculture industry.

“When it comes to all of the conversations that are happening, whether it be healthy food, the environment, or a number of other issues, the solution at the end of the day tends to already exist and that solution is farmers,” says Gellings. “Farmers have, for generations, done what they believe is best for the land and the communities that they live within and serve.”

“Precision agriculture and all of the technologies that come with that term are nothing more than a tool to help them accomplish that goal at the end of the day,” he says. “None of these will be the silver bullet to solve any and all issues, but when chosen based on the needs and capabilities of a farm and then paired with the other proper practices and inputs, they can help farmers get ahead.”

The report is available for free download through AEM.

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No More Waiting: Operator-Free Grain Cart System Improves Harvest Efficiency

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:49:16 GMT

At first blush, the benefits promised by new autonomous retrofit grain cart system, OutRun, seemed too good to be true to Ken Ferrie and his agronomic team.

The system, now commercially available, promises to help farmers increase harvest efficiencies while reducing labor needs in the process.

Ferrie and team’s skepticism quickly turned to appreciation as they put the system to work harvesting large-scale Farm Journal Test Plots in central Illinois.

“Once it’s in the field, it’s kind of like a dog with a shock collar,” says Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist. “It can’t leave the field, meaning that there’s a GPS fence around that field that keeps it from leaving that defined area.”

OutRun, developed by PTx Trimble (formed by AGCO and Trimble), enables a tractor and auger cart to team up and move autonomously to catch a combine on the go.

The system uses Starlink connectivity and PTx Trimble location technology, while the combine’s guidance and steering system remains unchanged. Field boundaries loaded into the OutRun system keep the cart/tractor team where it needs to be.

Less Manpower Potentially Required
Nebraska farmer Geoffrey Ruth says he is pumped about the practicality and ease-of-use of driverless grain cart automation. The opportunity to reduce manpower needs or redeploy a worker is especially appealing.

“We’re usually pretty short on labor at harvest time, so we’re looking to purchase one outright and take that operator and throw them in a semi to haul grain,” Ruth says in this recent article by Farm Journal’s Matthew Grassi: Smart Harvest: How One Farmer Is Hitting Harvest Windows, Helping Others With Grain Cart Tech

As Ruth and Ferrie quickly learned, the grain cart can be staged or called for unloading without the need for another driver.

Once full, the combine operator can then send the grain cart to a predefined truck unload zone for unloading. An operator is still needed, however, to unload the cart into a truck.

“Once you get a full tank, you call for the cart, and the cart will pull up beside the combine and unload on the go for you, or you could stage it at the end, so it’s waiting for you when you get there,” says Ferrie, whose agronomic team at Crop-Tech Consulting are running the system.

The truck driver can then disengage the cart, fill the truck and then reengage the cart so the combine operator can take control of the system again.

“Your combine operator can put the cart anywhere he wants it to go,” Ferrie says. “If you’ve got tile holes, terraces, or other places in the field you don’t want that cart to go, the combine operator can draw those areas on the screen and tell it, ‘these are no-go areas,’ so it doesn’t get itself into trouble.”

Ruth adds that the system also knows where the farmer already cut corn and will use that area as a path instead of mowing over crops that haven’t been harvested yet. It’s similar to how a drone already knows the safe path home when the pilot hits return to home on the controller.

OutRun is currently available for model year 2014 or newer John Deere 8R tractors with Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) and will be commercially available on Fendt models in 2026.

You can learn more about PTx Trimble’s OutRun system at www.OutRunAg.com

Don't End Up In The Ditch! Update Your GPS Guidance Lines For 2026

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 16:53:34 GMT

Farmers who use a local RTK network or state-run Real Time Network (RTN) — Iowa and Ohio both offer these signals — for auto steer and GPS guidance systems will need to recapture new GPS coordinates for field boundaries and A-B lines before spring planting.

That’s because The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) will soon replace two outdated reference frames, NAD 83 and NAVD 88, with a new corrections datum. The shift could knock your current A-B lines and GPS field boundaries off by anywhere from 1 to 4 meters, according to a pair of Iowa State University Extension precision ag specialists.

The Ohio State University Extension and FABE professor Dr. John Fulton issued a similar warning last fall at the Ohio Farm Science Review.

Iowa State University precision ag engineer Luke Fuhrer and digital Extension specialist Doug Houser say farmers using a major commercial satellite RTK network, such as those offered by John Deere and Trimble, should be OK for 2026.

Farmers who need to make quick updates to field boundaries or A-B lines, or check on the potential impact to existing telematics data this winter, are being told to use the free NGS Coordinate Conversion and Transformation Tool (NCAT) to shift their GPS coordinates from NAD 83/NAVD 88 to NATRF2022.

Fuhrer and Houser also want you to consider:

Physically recollecting GPS coordinates for field boundaries, control points or benchmarks using a system aligned to the new datum.
Recalculating your historical data using updated reference points or transformation software.

Example Scenario

(John Deere/Mel Koltai)

The Iowa State researchers share the following scenario as an example of a farmer who will need to make updates before spring planting:

“A farmer in eastern Iowa has been using a local RTK base station tied to NAD 83 to map field boundaries with sub-inch accuracy to avoid a neighbor’s fence line.

“After 2026, the new NATRF2022 datum will shift those GPS-defined boundaries by several feet. While the fence hasn’t moved, the guidance lines will now show up partially in the neighbor’s field. Without correction, auto-steer will drift across actual property lines.”

Before spring 2026, Fuhrer and Houser want this farmer to:

Back up all current GPS files and data.
Talk to his/her equipment dealer about firmware updates or new coordinate system support.
Use NCAT or dealer-provided tools to test a few key points and see how much they move.
Consider a quick resurvey for high-value areas.

For more info, check out the NGS “Get Prepared” resource here .

Drought Conditions Intensify Threat Of Field And Combine Fires

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:57:26 GMT

High temperatures and low humidity across the eastern and western Corn Belt this past week have increased the risks for field and combine fires as harvest ramps up across the country.

With the dry conditions, Ken Ferrie encourages everyone to have plans A and B in place, ready to implement if fire occurs.

“If your plan A is to call the fire department, remember, in rural America, most of our great volunteer firemen are running their own combines, so response time is a challenge,” he says.

While Ferrie believes you – or someone on your team – needs to call the fire department or 911 to get help, he says to consider making containment your Plan A.

In the case of a field fire, keep a tillage tool or spray tender nearby. “Have it in the field with you ready to go,” he advises.

Crops that are extremely dry coupled with even a bit of wind can set up a fast-moving scenario you need to snuff out quickly. Time is of the essence, as a fire can double in size within a mere minute or two.

“That situation won’t wait for you to go home, find a tractor, dig out a tillage tool or stick a hose in your spray tender and get to your field,” Ferrie says. “You won’t have the time to do that.”

A fully engulfed corn crib fire spread to nearby fields in Foosland this Friday.
📸: Mackenzie Wichtnerhttps://t.co/XkFERxHVf6 pic.twitter.com/1sG1uVVlMW
— WICS ABC 20 (@wics_abc20) September 19, 2025

In case of a combine fire, turn off the engine, get away from the machine, and phone for help.

Then, attack with fire extinguishers if it is safe to do so, advises Joshua Michel, Iowa State University field agronomist, in an online article .

“Try to fight from the ‘black,’ the area already burned,” Michel says. “Attacking a fire from areas with combustibles (e.g. dry corn stalks) is much riskier. Always stay upwind of a fire to minimize the risk of exposure from smoke, heat and possible flames.”

Keeping a shovel on the combine to throw dirt on a fire can also help.

Five Practical Steps To Be Ready For A Fire

Here are five additional things you can do to address a fire or prevent one from occurring this harvest:

1. As you combine fields, Ferrie says to keep in mind the wind direction. “Combine downwind, if possible, on windy days so if we have a combine fire it burns away from the crop,” he advises.

2. Have a daily maintenance plan for your equipment, including blowing off chaff and debris, properly lubricating chains/bearings, and cleaning up spills, advises Ohio State University Extension (OSU).

“The majority of harvester fires start in the engine compartment. Contributing factors for heat sources include faulty wiring, over-heated bearings, leaking fuel or hydraulic oil,” report Wayne Dellinger and Dee Jepsen at OSU, in this online article .

3. Have two ABC-rated fire extinguishers on hand. Keep a smaller 10-pound unit in the cab and a larger 20-pound extinguisher at ground level on the combine. Keeping an extra fire extinguisher on other pieces of machinery or trucks that are out in the field is also a good idea.

4. Invert the fire extinguisher once or twice during the season to ensure that machine vibrations don’t compact the powder inside.

5. Review your fire emergency plan with family and employees. As part of that, create a list with the 911 addresses for each of your field locations prior to harvest and have them easily accessible to family members and farm employees, Michel encourages. When a fire is called in with a 911 address, dispatch can more readily identify the incident location and relay this information to the fire department. This can save precious time as some fields may be in remote locations.

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John Deere Layoffs Continue Amid Sales Downturn, 142 Iowa Employees Notified

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:57:38 GMT

Farm equipment giant John Deere has confirmed it is laying off 101 employees at its Waterloo Operations (last day on October 17) and 41 employees at the Des Moines Works (October 31) plant, according to an official statement emailed to Farm Journal.

It is a little over a month since the last round of layoffs , which affected over 200 employees across factories located in the Quad Cities region of western Illinois and eastern Iowa.

Deere says in the statement: “Production schedules at each John Deere factory vary to align with seasonal farming needs. When fewer orders come in, each factory adjusts accordingly.”

Despite the layoffs and an overall tough farm economy that some think will stretch well into 2026, Deere still intends on moving forward with its $20 billion investment strategy here in the U.S., according to the statement.

During John Deere’s earnings call in August, the company issued a warning that tariff costs could total $600 million for fiscal year 2025. The company’s share price dipped 6% immediately following that call. Deere’s net income for Q3 also sank 26%, and its total net sales decreased by 9% compared to Q3 in 2024.

At the beginning of August, John Deere addressed long-standing Right To Repair concerns with a new digital diagnosis and repair product for John Deere machines and Hagie STS high-clearance sprayers. That tool costs $195 per tractor for farmers and $5,995 per year for independent service technicians.

And in May, Deere acquired Minneapolis-based drone and sensor provider Sentera . Financial terms for that deal have not been disclosed.

John Deere also just dropped a new commercial featuring injured San Francisco 49ers quarterback and Iowa State Cyclone Brock Purdy cooking meals for farmers with tractor influencer @JustAJacksonThing. You can check that out below.

Additional Information

Deere shares the following bullet points regarding compensation benefits available to laid off employees:

Affected employees are eligible to be recalled to their home factory for a period equal to their length of service. Those laid off are automatically placed in seniority order for openings they are qualified to perform at the factory.
Weekly supplemental unemployment benefit (SUB pay), dependent on number of years of continuous employment.
Transitional Assistance Benefit (TAB) pay, which may cover up to 50% of their average weekly earnings for up to 52 weeks. 
Profit sharing, calculated based on hours worked, average earnings and the company’s profit margin.

Healthcare benefits employees can receive during a layoff include: 

Employees can keep healthcare coverage for at least six months, or as long as they are eligible for SUB pay.
Weekly Indemnity (WI): Employees who become disabled while on layoff can get WI benefits for the same duration as their SUB pay.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employees and their household members can access EAP services for the duration of their recall rights. EAP provides up to eight sessions of in-person or virtual therapy per year.

Other benefits laid-off employees may receive include: 

Life insurance
Legal assistance
Tuition reimbursement and job-placement assistance.

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What Farm Equipment Manufacturers Are Saying About 50% Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:15:53 GMT

Farm equipment manufacturers have spent the past nine months dealing with tariff fallout and implications. It’s an effort borne out of sheer necessity — that’s because the various tariff levels and targets have changed faster than a Kansas prairie headwind during spring planting.

It’s why we talked with executives from a handful of farm equipment manufacturers to learn more about how they are managing the situation. John Deere, for example, recently went as far as attaching a hard number to the tariff pain: a projected $600 million in balance sheet impact for 2025 is the figure shared by John Beal, director of investor relations, during Deere’s 2025 Q3 earnings call.

On Aug. 18, a 50% tariff on all foreign steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. went into effect. That alone has had a huge impact on the companies building farm machines here in the U.S. and abroad, and it’s even restricting the movement of used farm equipment across the border.

Almost All American Made

Case IH’s Kurt Coffey, who serves as the companies’ vice president of its North America division, says the executive team he is on meets daily to unpack global trade developments. Case IH is in a good position overall, he says, with 80% to 90% of its machines produced in one of four U.S. production facilities, and 95% of its machinery base material (i.e. steel) sourced domestically.

Related - From the Factory to Your Fields: Where Farm Equipment Is Made

(Case IH)

“What we’re trying to do is scale across our business to where there are impacts in the short term, in the transitory period, and make sure that we continue to flow product so we’re a reliable partner for our customers,” Coffey says. “But it is anybody’s guess where this is going. So, we’re maintaining focus on the customer and our supply flows.”

That supply flow is worth the extra effort in Racine, according to Coffey, due to this fact: Anywhere from 60% to 90% of Case IH machinery is presold, so a new tariff today means a big, unexpected extra cost tacked on the back end.

“We’re executing on product that was sold three, five or even eight months ago,” he adds. “So, no comment on [financial] impacts, but we’ve continued to focus on how we make sure our customers have what they need as they’re going to harvest.”

Coffey doesn’t come right out and say it, but reading between the lines, it seems clear that Case IH has had to flex its creative muscles and figure out how to manage, for example, a new 50% tariff bill on a brand-new AF-11 combine that was sold six months ago. That extra 50% wasn’t part of the equation when the deal was signed, so who pays for it?

More EU Than U.S.

While Case IH has a large manufacturing base in the U.S., German-based manufacturer Claas is a different story. While the company builds its Lexion combines and self-propelled corn detassler machine at a 250,000-sq.-ft. facility in Omaha, Neb., four-fifths (80%) of its row crop machinery portfolio is built over in Europe and shipped to dealer lots in the U.S.

In a Trump Tariff world, that means significantly higher production costs for Claas, and potentially, the farmers that buy their tractors and combines. That’s because tariffs are taxes, and most companies will pass that extra cost down the line to consumers in the form of higher retail prices.

Eric Raby, senior vice president of the Americas region, Claas, says his outfit is actually taking on some of those extra costs.

(Claas)

“From an EU [European Union] perspective, and in Canada and some other major countries, we’re pretty even keel right now on where the tariffs are, and I think the industry as a whole has pretty much absorbed [a lot of] those,” he says. “We’ve absorbed a lot, as well. We’re not passing all of it to the customer.”

The new-ish 50% tariff on steel and aluminum is a different story, however.

“We’re still working [on that] right now and trying to figure out the implications, because that really is going to affect our industry much more broadly than just the tariffs on a country of origin for a specific machine,” Raby says. “We’re always looking for local [material] suppliers as well, because our time to market gets shortened considerably. So, it’s much more efficient for us as well.”

One way to manage those costs is to onshore more of its material sourcing network here into the U.S. We visited Claas’ Omaha factory this summer, and efforts were already underway to find more suppliers in Nebraska and the Midwest.

“We’re always looking at broadening our supplier base,” Raby says. “If we go back to COVID, I think the whole industry suffered from a lack of versatility within the supply chain. So we’re always looking for different suppliers. And then obviously, with the tariffs now, we’re looking even more intently on sourcing locally.”

Nearly 50/50

New Holland is largely viewed as a Euro-brand in farm equipment circles, but it’s closer to an even split. The company manufactures about 50% of it’s row-crop machinery in the EU and 40% in North America, with the remaining 10% built in the Asia-Pacific region.

JEAN-MARC GIUBOUX PHOTOGRAPHY

(New Holland)

New Holland’s vice president of North America, Ryan Schaefer, has been in the leadership role for the brand’s domestic operations for about a year now. He says CNH Industrial has eight manufacturing plants in the U.S. as well as a significant presence in western Canada, but managing the tariff situation has been anything but easy, he says.

“We produce tractors and combines all over the world, as well, so we truly have a global footprint,” he says. “So really, I wouldn’t go so far as to call the situation difficult, but the challenges are something that many in our industry have never had to deal with firsthand. It’s been a learning experience for all manufacturers, I would say, throughout North America and the globe.”

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Four Pro Tips To Help You Harvest More Soybeans

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:32:20 GMT

Talk with Marion Calmer for 10 minutes, and you’ll walk away with a handful of practical ideas you can take back to the farm and use – things that will help you simplify tasks and improve efficiency.

Calmer, a fourth-generation Illinois farmer and natural-born innovator, is the CEO of Calmer Corn Heads. He is known among U.S. corn growers for building the first 12- and 15-inch corn head, the world’s largest corn head (in 2013), and other state-of-the art harvesting technology and practices.

In 1985, Marion founded Calmer Agronomic Research Center, an independent, self-funded research center, with the goal of finding ways to reduce input costs and increase profitability for himself and other farmers.

(Marion Calmer)

Calmer is also known for freely sharing information and insights to help farmers take more of their crops to the bin. That was the case when he joined yield champs David Hula and Randy Dowdy recently on their Breaking Barriers With R&D podcast.

While the three farmers talked corn at length, Calmer also shared some soybean harvesting tips and techniques with Hula and Dowdy. Here are four you can use this fall:

1. Consider changing the sickle size on your bean head.
Calmer recommends using a 3” sickle so residue is able to flow better, as compared to a 2” sickle, especially in no-till or high-residue environments.

He says running a 3” sickle (that’s the distance between two snake heads or sections of the sickle) can help prevent plugging from last season’s corn root balls sometimes present in a corn-bean rotation.

“I think a 3” does a better job of cutting beans than a 2” sickle, because the window to retrieve the next plant is wider and bigger,” he tells Hula and Dowdy. “I also think a 3” sickle cuts cleaner.”

2. Keep beans in the threshing chamber longer.
Calmer says with soybeans increasingly being harvested at a higher moisture level with still-green pods and stems, it’s useful to keep them in the threshing chamber longer. One inexpensive way to do that is by modifying a 55-gallon plastic barrel.

“Take a jigsaw and cut a plastic band out of the barrel and then place it underneath the first 6” or first 12” of any color of combine, and that’ll hold those green pods up in the chamber. We just use a ratchet strap to hold that plastic cover plate in there,” he says. “Doesn’t cost anything, but oh my gosh, this makes the combine so much easier to set.”

Plus, Calmer says you will get fewer green pods going into the grain tank. “The pods can set off a chain of events when they get into the grain bin. They’ll all slide to the outer edges and rot and so on,” Calmer explains. “This is just a simple, commonsense kind of thing that can help you.”

Soybean harvest starts in the rotor area of the combine, according to Calmer. “In years past, I never even opened up the side of the combine. I’d just go reset the sieves and the airspeed and take off, and I was never happy,” he says. “I focus on the rotor area more than I used, and it’s made my combine work better.”

(Marion Calmer)

3. Consider adjusting the combine head at harvest to cut beans lower.
This is a good practice, Calmer says, if your beans are podded closer to the ground this fall because you planted lower populations last spring or because of weather that occurred during the growing season. With pods closer to the ground, more harvest loss frequently occurs because the cutterbar was operating too high.

This practice of adjusting the head can be both a bit of art and science to do well. Michigan State Extension offers a detailed article on how to set the combine head lower to achieve the results you want and need.

4. Synchronize reel speed to ground speed.
The goal is to help prevent shattering or pushing plants away as they go into the header. The reel RPM should be 10 times ground speed, Calmer says. A simple example of this: 4 MPH ground speed = 40 RPM on reel. Use a piece of tape or spray paint a bar of your reel to easily count RPM from the cab.

And finally...this idea might not help you take more beans to the bin, but it will help you manage residue: Before you roll into the field, be conscious to start harvesting on the downwind side of the field, Calmer advises. By harvesting downwind, the wind will spread straw more evenly and away from the uncut soybeans.

Listen to this edition of Breaking Barriers With R&D at Farm Journal TV to hear more money-saving tips and ideas from Calmer, Hula and Dowdy that can help you as harvest gets underway this fall. You can also catch this episode of the podcast on YouTube .

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Farmers, Truckers and Gear Heads Rejoice: EPA Rolls Out Streamlined Diesel Engine Fluid Guidelines

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:02:00 GMT

EPA is rolling out new guidance for manufacturers of farm equipment and other heavy-duty vehicles, removing regulatory red tape requiring diesel-powered farm equipment to reduce engine torque dramatically when a problem arises with the machine’s Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system.

You can read EPA’s statement on the announcement here.

The new rule making goes into effect immediately for all new diesel engines on model year 2027 machines. It should also be noted the new guidance from EPA is voluntary for all non road equipment. Ultimately, each manufacturer will have the right to choose whether it implements the new inducement strategy or maintains the status quo with its own machines.

To fix the problem for farm machinery already in the field, EPA’s new guidance, developed in collaboration with farm equipment manufacturers, will work to ensure necessary software changes can be made on the existing fleet.

(EPA)

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin says now all non-road equipment, like farm tractors, combines and sprayers, must be configured so there is no impact on engine power for up to 36 hours when a DEF system malfunction occurs. Once 36 engine hours have passed, a 25% reduction in engine torque will go into effect until the machine is serviced. If the farm equipment is not fixed within 100 engine hours, then a 50% reduction in torque is activated until the machine can be serviced.

Additionally, farm equipment can be restarted with full engine power three times for up to 30 minutes after inducement, according to the EPA release.

“This is the first crack in the ice toward saying we don’t need these expensive systems on our farm equipment,” says Ben Reinsche, owner, Blue Diamond Farming Company in Jesup, Iowa. “We don’t need to immediately shut off an engine or be restricted for 36 hours if you have DEF unavailable or a malfunction.

“This is a positive step and maybe a formative step toward saying that having these emission standards on farm or off-road equipment is not critically necessary,” adds Reinsche. “There are so many other things farmers can do that are planet positive, like using conservation and sustainability practices, rather than having an after treatment system on our diesel engines.”

Small Business Administration (SBA) leader Kelly Loeffler says the new rule will save 1.8 million family farms across America a staggering $727 million per year while offering “vital financial and operational certainty.”

“This announcement today is such a big deal, especially on behalf of our farmers and ranchers,” says USDA secretary Brook Rollins. “At a time when our ag sector is really hurting, our farmers have had to endure a 30% cost increase in inputs, and a $30 billion Biden-era trade deficit, these everyday regulations being lifted makes such a difference.”

The new guidance greatly reduces a machine setting known as DEF derating and allows operators more time to secure DEF, refuel and make repairs. The new guidance also reportedly retains the environmental benefits of Tier 4 engine and DEF regulations for farm equipment and trucks.

“Today we are taking another important step forward by undoing these diesel fluid guidelines that have hurt our farmers and small rural businesses,” says U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “Not only will these new guidelines save family-run farms hundreds of millions of dollars per year, but it is also just common sense, folks. No farmer should have their tractor come to a halt in the middle of a field due to Green New Deal-style regulations from Washington.”

How Did We Get Here?

EPA ushered in DEF requirements for large farm equipment when it enacted broader Tier 4 emissions standards in 2004.

Tier 4 Interim rules, which required DEF for farm machines 750 horsepower and up, then went into effect in 2008.

In 2015, EPA’s final Tier 4 regulations were put in place, meaning all new non-road diesel engines — regardless of horsepower rating — had to comply with new emissions standards.

Curious where your farm equipment is made? Check out Farm Journal’s “Who Makes What Where” feature to learn more.

Why Do Many Farmers Hate Using Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)?

American farmers say they detest using DEF due to the challenges and additional fuel cost it tacks onto their operations.

Here are some reasons farmers aren’t big fans of DEF:

Higher Costs and More Maintenance: DEF adds on extra materials costs for machinery-based field work. Farmers must purchase large amounts of fluid, and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) framework that processes DEF is prone to malfunctions and expensive to repair. Often a simple-but-unexpected repair can pop up out of nowhere and end up costing farmers thousands of dollars and leave equipment inoperable.
Field Work Interruptions: If a tractor runs out of DEF or if the system breaks down, under the now-defunct previous guidelines engine power was greatly reduced, which is known by many farmers as “going into limp mode.” For farmers who rely on their equipment to operate consistently and reliably during planting and harvesting, any issue quickly becomes a major headache.
Storage Issues: DEF has a limited shelf life and is sensitive to temperature ups and downs. A quick Google search says DEF freezes at around 12°F and can degrade if stored in temperatures above 86°F. And who wants to look at a giant pallet of DEF cartons stacked in their machinery barn? Nobody, that’s who.
Contamination/Quality Control: DEF fluid must be pure and free of contaminants. Accidentally using the wrong type or getting foreign substances in the tank during refilling can wreak havoc throughout the system, leading to repairs and downtime.
Engine Performance Concerns: There are farmers who believe newer emissions systems, including those that use DEF, reduce the machine’s total power output and lower fuel efficiency.

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Right To Repair Granted? John Deere Launches Digital Self-Repair Tool for $195 Per Tractor

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:29:05 GMT

In what appears to be a direct response to anti-competition claims raised in the ongoing FCC v. John Deere Right to Repair lawsuit , the equipment manufacturer has released an updated digital service tool to enable equipment owners to maintain, diagnose, repair and protect farm equipment.

The new Operations Center PRO Service tool is available now in John Deere’s Operation Center app to equipment owners in the U.S. and Canada.

John Deere says it will charge farmers an annual license starting at $195 per machine for the tool. The company is charging independent service professionals $5,995.00 per year, which includes up to 10 local downloads.

The increased functionality of the new service tool replaces John Deere’s previous digital service iteration, known as Customer Service ADVISOR. John Deere representatives confirm ADVISOR will be phased out over the next year.

What farmers need to know

John Deere says the new Operations Center PRO Service “delivers digital repair content filtered by year and model number and provides users with additional relevant machine information to help troubleshoot, diagnose and repair Deere equipment. It’s designed to be intuitive and deliver support in real time.”

Here are the new service and repair capabilities within the tool:

Machine health insights and diagnostic trouble codes
PIN-specific machine content, including manuals
Software reprogramming for John Deere controllers
Diagnostic Readings
Diagnostic Recordings
Interactive diagnostic tests
Calibrations

Quick Analysis

If you’ve been following the FCC v. John Deere Right to Repair lawsuit, you may recall FCC’s legal team asking the equipment manufacturer to release a full digital repair and diagnosis tool for farmers and independent service technicians as part of its filed request for injunctive relief.

Related: What Does Right to Repair Really Mean?

Right to Repair advocates and antitrust attorney James Kovac, along with the FCC’s legal team, at the time were critical of the Customer Service ADVISOR, calling it an incomplete diagnostic tool. Kovacs himself says “independent repair pros and the farmers have access to (the tool), but (it) doesn’t give them the full suite of options to repair all the needs of their farming equipment.”

What John Deere is saying about the new tool

“Our development of these tools reaffirms John Deere’s support of customer self-repair,” says Denver Caldwell, vice president of aftermarket and customer support with John Deere. “We view continuously enhancing self-repair as consistent with our mission to ensure John Deere customers have the best machine ownership experience possible.”

What about independent repair technicians?

(John Deere )

In addition to equipment owners, a local service provider can also use Operations Center PRO Service, John Deere says. With a John Deere equipment owner’s permission, independent technicians can gain access to diagnostic and repair information to support the equipment owner’s needs.

(JohnDeere.com screenshot)

On the John Deere online store, it currently lists a Operations Center PRO Service annual license for a “Service Business” as costing $5,995.00 . The license provides for 10 local downloads of the PRO Service application, the listing says.

“Our message to our customers is clear,” Caldwell continues. “Whether you want the support of your professionally trained and trusted John Deere dealer, to work with another local service provider or to fix your machine yourself, we’ve created additional capabilities for you to choose the option that best fits your needs.”

How does it work?

Equipment owners must access Operations Center PRO Service through the John Deere Operations Center. Once connected to the platform, owners will add their equipment into their account using the machine’s serial number. Use of an electronic data link might be required for more advanced features within Operations Center PRO Service, including software reprogramming. Certain interactive tests, calibrations and reprogramming limitations will exist at initial release.

John Deere says it will deliver additional capabilities in future updates. See JohnDeere.com/PROService for further details.

How can I find out more?

Operations Center PRO Service is available today. For more information on how to access all of the digital support tools offered by John Deere, visit Deere.com/RunItYourWay or see your local John Deere dealer.

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From Omaha to Georgia: Inside the Farm Machinery Reshoring Boom

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 19:38:03 GMT

After releasing our “Where Farm Equipment Is Made” 2025 update in February , we circled back with farm equipment manufacturers to get a read on how tariffs will affect where machines are made.

Many companies across a wide range of industries are considering or even moving forward with plans to reshore production from overseas back into the United States. We’ve learned this process involves long-term, strategic investments in new facilities and/or expanding factories already established here in the States.

Although each manufacturer shared differing visions for how, when and where it plans to build out additional manufacturing capabilities in the years ahead, a common theme did emerge: farm equipment builders are investing big dollars into reshoring, and many have been for quite some time now.

Let’s hear what the machinery companies are planning:

AGCO Corp.

(AGCO Corp.)

The Duluth, Ga.-based equipment manufacturer says its dedication to American farmers and its own strategic investment plans are “key drivers of our overall growth strategy,” according to an AGCO spokesperson.

The rest of the statement from AGCO, which builds the Fendt and Massey Ferguson equipment brands along with its own AGCO machines, regarding U.S. expansion plans can be found below:

Since 2020, we have invested just under $3 billion in the U.S. across new and expanded manufacturing facilities, product innovations and the largest ag tech deal in the history of the industry. Our commitment has extended across our various brands, locations and Research & Development (R&D) efforts, including the notable 2024 joint venture establishing Colorado-based PTx Trimble, the inauguration of Fendt Lodge – the North American headquarters of Fendt – in Minnesota, a new precision ag production facility in Illinois, modernization of systems and technologies in one of our Kansas plants, and U.S.-based R&D for new sprayer and planter technology.

These investments, AGCO says, will not only enhance production at its U.S. facilities for years to come, but also ensure AGCO remains at the forefront of ag innovation around the world.

Claas

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Claas is still a somewhat fresh face to the North American farm equipment market, but the company has deep roots in Europe. It was founded over 100 years ago in a small German farming town, and today the company has global headquarters in Harsewinkel, Germany.

But you may not be aware that Claas has also built a significant manufacturing operation in America’s heartland. The company opened its Lexion combine production campus, located just south of downtown Omaha, Neb., in 1997. This year marks 10,000 Lexion combines rolling off the main production line inside the 120,000 sq. ft. facility.

(Photos: John Deere, Matthew J. Grassi, AGCO, Kubota)

Claas has significant expansion plans in place for its Omaha campus, including doubling its overall production footprint for the main manufacturing building as well as adding a new training and apprenticeship building.

Here is the statement Matthias Ristow, president & managing director of business administration – Claas Omaha, shared regarding the company’s expansion plans:

Claas is investing significantly in its production hub in the United States, and not only recently. Over the last five years, we have added to our production facility to provide a better location for our rework and reconfiguration areas, as well as a dedicated work area for our quality control department for the pre-delivery inspections each machine must go through before being shipped. This is part of our comprehensive quality assurance program.

We also have built a new service academy where we train all the technicians from our U.S. dealer network (we have a similar location in Canada) so we can keep their skills up to date and make sure they have the proper certifications to work on our machines. Technology updates and changes are trained there as well.

Furthermore, our new service academy houses our apprenticeship program where we train the future assembly technicians in a three-year rigorous training program, managed by the German Chamber of Commerce. The program has several advantages. Technicians receive a regular paycheck (“earn while you learn”), receive an associate’s degree from a community college we partner with, receive a certificate from the German Chamber and have a job when they graduate from the program debt free.

Farm Journal recently had the opportunity to tour Claas’ Omaha operation, where we learned the manufacturer is also expanding its partnerships with domestic material and component manufacturers. For example, it recently began working with a finished parts supplier local to Nebraska to fabricate the grain spout for each Lexion combine.

CNH Industrial (Case IH and New Holland)

(CNH Industrial)

Although short on specifics, CNH Industrial (Racine, Wisc.) confirms it plans to “continue to expand our footprint through capital investments in our U.S. facilities, partnerships with local suppliers and programs that strengthen the communities where we live and work.”

CNH adds it currently employs more than 9,000 people across 17 U.S. states, with 14 manufacturing facilities and 22 R&D centers active throughout North America.

And approximately 70% of the components used in CNH Industrial’s U.S. plants are sourced from domestic suppliers while 95% its steel is purchased from U.S.-based mills. It says this approach to domestic material sourcing supports thousands of suppliers’ jobs and reinforces its investment in American-made quality.

John Deere

(John Deere)

The farm equipment manufacturer with global headquarters in Moline, Ill., was first to share its future investment plans with Farm Journal. Back in May, the company announced a 10-year, $20 billion outlay plan for its U.S. production base. This year alone, Deere says it will pour $100 million into its U.S. operations.

John Deere says this initiative includes:

A 120,000 sq. ft. expansion of the company’s remanufacturing facility in Missouri.
Construction of a new excavator factory in Kernersville, N.C.
Expansion of its Greeneville, Tenn., turf equipment factory.
New assembly lines for 9RX high-horsepower tractor production in Waterloo, Iowa.

John Deere plans to invest a total of $22.5 billion into its U.S. manufacturing network once the 10-year project is complete.

Kubota North America

(Kubota North America)

Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) established its North America headquarters in Grapevine, TX., in 2017. The Japanese equipment manufacturer shared the following statement regarding U.S. expansion plans.

North America is critical for Kubota, and the U.S. is our largest market. We firmly believe in local production for local consumption and have made more than $1 billion in U.S. infrastructure investments in the last couple years to meet the growing needs of our dealers and customers. For example, we recently announced the opening of a new loader facility in Gainesville, Ga., (invested $190 million), a new Western Distribution Center in California (invested $72 million), and an R&D facility (invested $100 million) that’s also in Georgia. We have other network investment announcements in the works, and we plan to continue to invest over the next five to 10 years as we respond to market demands. Today, we are more than 7,000 American workers strong who market and sell, and fabricate, weld and assemble equipment with domestic and global parts.

Want to learn more about where your favorite farm machines are made? Check out “From the Factory to Your Fields: Where Farm Equipment Is Made”.

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No, John Deere is Not Freezing Production or Stepping Away From its U.S. Factories

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:48:46 GMT

An online report last week claimed John Deere is shutting down ALL manufacturing in response to the ongoing tariff situation in the U.S.

But we looked into it, and we’re here to tell you: don’t take the bait — or, as the kids say, feed the trolls — because it’s simply not true.

An article authored by Kieran Schalkwyk and titled “John Deere Freezes U.S. Manufacturing in Unprecedented Shutdown” appeared on MSN.com and was aggregated by Google News feeds last week, claiming the manufacturer is “making a radical move that some might think is ‘un-American.’”

John Deere shared the following LinkedIn post Friday afternoon. You can also visit Deere.com for more information on the company’s U.S. manufacturing presence.

The MSN.com post has since been taken down and brings up an error page:

MSN.com screenshot

(MSN.com)

It’s somewhat bewildering timing for this particular misinformation ploy.

John Deere recently put out a blog post outlining its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. The statement says John Deere will invest $20 billion into its U.S. footprint over the next decade, which includes major expansion projects in Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Today, the company has 60 manufacturing facilities in more than 16 U.S. states and employs over 30,000 American workers.

What is true is over the past 18 months, the company has been forced to lay off some employees , and it strategically slowed manufacturing at some production facilities in Iowa in response to depressed farmer demand for new tractors and combines.

Of course, John Deere is not alone navigating a treacherous global farm economy. Machinery rivals AGCO and CNH also made the tough choice to layoff factory workers over the past 12 months. CNH even completely shutdown its overseas machinery imports during the first few days of the tariff policy rollout, although that pause was only temporary.

In February, we updated our popular “Who Makes What Where” feature showing where major farm equipment is manufactured around the world.

Our analysis of John Deere’s global factory network shows that of the 60 John Deere machines relevant to U.S. farmers, 50 of them (83%) are manufactured here in North America. Of all the major farm equipment manufacturers we polled, John Deere has the largest U.S.-based manufacturing footprint other than Canadian-based Buhler Industries, which is 100% North America based.

So, it feels safe to say we can put this rumor to bed once and for all: No, John Deere is not shutting down its factories. Myth Busted. Shutdown the rumor mill.

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John Deere Challenge: Watch a New York Tech Journalist Farm 20 Acres of Corn for $20 Profit

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:52:49 GMT

You might recall this viral stunt from when it was announced last spring: John Deere and tech influencer David Cogen (@TheUnlockr) joined forces to set the New York-based journalist up as a row crop farmer for an entire growing season. Using 20 acres of prime Iowa farmland, Cogen’s mission was to find out if he could accomplish what farmers must achieve to put food on America’s dinner tables: turn planted crops into cold, hard cash.

Unlike most farmers, though, Cogen was basically given every cheat code in the game: He had guidance from John Deere experts throughout the crop journey, all of the latest John Deere equipment with all the tech bells-and-whistles any farmer could dream for —not to mention a blank check for seed, crop inputs, fuel and labor.

Cogen began by ordering up soil tests and custom fertilizer applications. Then he flew back to Iowa to complete the spring tillage pass and seed the field. Next came another trip to spray weeds post-emergence with Deere’s See & Spray smart application system before returning in the fall to harvest the finished grain and haul it down to the local ethanol processing plant.

Along the way Cogen learned a handful of lessons any seasoned farmer already knows all too well:

The weather never seems to do what you want it to do, when you want it to do it. That’s farming.
You have to eradicate weeds or they will rob your yields and destroy your profits.
Variation is the enemy, it’s all about consistent production and harvesting at the precise moisture level and timing.
A dry late-summer and early-fall is a factor you can’t control but it can cost you real dollars on your final yield. The corn will dry down too fast in the field if you don’t get it off on time, so in this case, water is truly money when it comes to corn and soybean farming.

In the end, Cogen’s field averaged 209 bushels per acre and produced just over 3,000 total bushels of corn, which equates to over 200,000 lb.

His total expenses for the year (land costs, seed, fertilizer and “other”) totaled $16,456, while his total revenues for the 19.24 total acres of corn harvested was $16,478.

Don’t adjust your monitor. Yes, you read that right.

The New York tech editor farmed all year long and only brought home $22 in total profit. It just goes to show, turning a profit on only 20 acres is incredibly hard to do. Small acre farmers deserve just as much respect as the big boys.

“Honestly, I hope that like myself, that this has opened your eyes into what it actually takes to farm,” Cogen says at the end of the video. “Just all of the work that goes into it and you can have a new appreciation for farming and for farmers.

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BREAKING: CNH Halts Farm Equipment Shipments From North America, Europe To Assess Tariff Situation

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:53:24 GMT

In North America, we are stopping shipments from North America plants and European imports effective today. This is a temporary move until we assess the full impact of planned tariffs on pricing. There are no impacts to production and parts shipments continue as planned. We will continue to monitor the situation.CNH Industrial has confirmed online reports it will temporarily pause farm equipment shipments from North American factories as well as from its European counterparts, effective immediately.

Here is CNH Industrial’s statement in full:

“In North America, we are stopping shipments from North America plants and European imports effective today. This is a temporary move until we assess the full impact of planned tariffs on pricing. There are no impacts to production and parts shipments continue as planned. We will continue to monitor the situation.”

CNH Industrial official statement

Quick Analysis

It’s a stunning move the international equipment giant is directly linking to the ongoing global tariff situation. President Donald Trump’s wide-reaching tariff strategy is set to go in motion April 2 (pending any last-minute shifts) and is projected to have sweeping implications for agriculture businesses and economies around the globe.

In addition, this development might represent yet another warning sign the global ag economy is entering a period of recession.

If this feels like a complete surprise to many in the equipment industry that’s because it likely is.

CNH’s latest earnings report call, on Feb. 4, did not contain any mention of the possibility the company would halt shipments. In that call CEO Gerrit Marx did note a 34% reduction in production had already been set in motion in Q4 2024. He attributed the move as a strategy to help lower dealer inventories by over $700 million.

Marx also shared the company is always actively monitoring the tariff situation, a development Case IH head of North America Kurt Coffey previously disclosed to Farm Journal during the National Farm Machinery Show in mid-February , but Marx also mentioned on the Feb. 4 earnings call that at the time it was “too early” to fully assess (tariff) impacts.

Our 2025 update to “ Who Makes What Where ” showed Case IH builds 66% of its row-crop machines throughout North America, while 24% of them are manufactured in Europe.

New Holland itself maintains a fairly balanced manufacturing presence between the two continents, with Europe (30%) and North America (43%) hosting its largest manufacturing footprints.

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John Deere Details Model Year 2026 Updates, New Machine Capabilities and Technology Features

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

John Deere announces a suite of equipment and technology upgrades and new features across its portfolio of machines. Some of the updates are exclusive to model year 2026 machines, and some are available as retrofit options or upgrades for new and/or older John Deere machines.

Next Generation Perception System For Autonomous Tillage
John Deere is releasing its autonomy Precision Upgrades kit for select tractor models that brings autonomy to tillage work. The system is available as a Precision Upgrades kit for model year 2022 and newer 9R and 9RX tractors and model year 2020.5 and newer 8R and 8RX tractors. Select model year 2025 John Deere tractors are autonomy ready from the factory.

RELATED: John Deere Introducing Next Generation Perception Autonomy Kits

To add autonomy to the tillage tool, retrofit kits are available for 2017 and newer John Deere tillage implements with additional lighting and the StarFire receiver mast and harnessing. The autonomy ready solutions are factory installed in base models for select MY25 tillage tools.

Combine Improvements
For model year 2026, the additions include a new three-piece CAM hinge draper reel with dense pack fingers and a new CF 18 30 corn head, which John Deere says is the industry’s first folding corn head with 18" rows and 30" spacing.

John Deere is also announcing several enhancements to its model year 2026 combines:

The Harvest Settings Automation feature will now include an out-of-crop settings adjustment that engages when the combine is passing through previously harvested areas of the field. Now the feature supports wheat, barely, canola, soybean, corn and rice crops.

Predictive Ground Speed Automation is being updated with a new feature that helps operators manage unique field terrains such as waterways, ditches or terraces. Weed detection sensing is also being added. There will be new functionality incorporated into John Deere Operations Center that will use crop-type data from planting and satellite imagery to ensure all eligible combines have the essential harvest automation files necessary to increase productivity. Predictive Ground Speed Automation supports wheat, barley, canola, soybean, corn, peas, edible beans and lentils.

AutoTrac Turn Automation is being updated to automate the raising and lowering of the combine head for hands-free turning, and a new auto-unload camera with supporting hardware and software is available to help consistently fill grain carts and possibly reduce in-field spills.

(Dan Videtich/John Deere)

John Deere also announced a handful of harvest settings updates available in Operations Center, including grain harvest weight sharing and Grain Sensing with HarvestLab 3000 available now for all model year 2025 and newer X9, S7 and T6 combines.

And physical updates to model year 2026 machines include a new instructor seat in all models and a dual USB-C fast charging module in the cab. And the JD Link Boost satellite connectivity module is available for install on eligible combine models to maintain connectivity during harvest.

Sprayer Updates
John Deere says these updates were developed to give farmers cleaner fields that have less weed competition, leading to more yield potential.

See & Spray has new variable rate capabilities that can unlock precise applications and significant product savings in later-season fungicide and desiccant applications, preharvest passes and more, according to John Deere. Farmers can also now see the percentage of biomass each perception camera detects throughout the field. See & Spray Variable Rate capabilities will require a G5 or G5Plus CommandCenter display.

See & Spray Select is now available from the factory on model year 2026 John Deere 400 and 600 series sprayers with 90', 100' or 120' steel booms. See & Spray Select also will be available as a Precision Upgrades kit for model year 2018 and newer John Deere sprayers with ExactApply and a 120' steel boom.

See & Spray Premium is adding new boom sizes and is now available on Hagie STS20 sprayers. See & Spray Premium is compatible with 90', 100' or 120' booms.

(Mel Koltai/John Deere)

Beyond the See & Spray updates, John Deere also has two new AutoTrac options for sprayers:

AutoTrac Turn Automation (ATTA) is now compatible with John Deere 400 and 600 series self-propelled sprayers, 800R floaters, and Hagie STS12, STS16 and STS20 sprayers, model year 2022 and newer. The new feature is also included with Automation 4.0 on Gen4 displays and the G5 Advanced license for machines that have a G5 display.

AutoTrac Vision 2.0 is a new technology that ensures sprayer wheels remain centered within each crop row, and it boasts a maximum speed of 22 mph, slope performance of up to 6 degrees, and the ability to navigate curves with a radius of just 50 meters. AutoTrac Vision 2.0 is available on model year 2026 John Deere sprayers as a factory option.

John Deere is also introducing ExactApply Variable Rate capabilities – including multi-rate across the boom with AutoSelect Pulsing (and A+B pulse width modulation nozzle switching). Sprayer operators can now vary multiple application rates across the entire boom, up to 11 unique sections, leading to more precise product placement. Operators also can use increased rate ranges for variable rate prescriptions and curve compensation. This technology is available as a software update for model year 2023 to 2025 sprayers, and model year 2026 will come factory installed with updated software features and functionalities.

Planter Updates
John Deere announced four new planter updates:

A new rate controller, the John Deere Rate Controller 3, with the option to control and apply two liquid and/or anhydrous ammonia (NH3) products simultaneously across up to 16 sections. This can help farmers decrease the number of trips through the field while getting the same application work completed. John Deere says the new rate controller is suitable for a variety of row crops, ranches, high-value crops and even on golf courses.

Rate Controller 3 also features a new rate controller app that is available within the John Deere display menu. The rate controller app is fully compatible with Gen 4 v2 and G5 displays.

(Michael J Newell/John Deere)

John Deere says the new app will give farmers a similar experience as operating a self-propelled sprayer with a controller with a built-in base from the factory. This means farmers can now monitor their planter and rate controller functions on one screen on the display and execute easy adjustments, according to John Deere.

The new rate controller module also has a new harness and 48-pin connector, which expands the compatibility with third-party equipment.

Seed-Level Sensing provides farmers with a more accurate look at the level of seed remaining in the tank. It places a sensor in the tank that can measure the volume of seed left in the tank, which is then provided to the operator in the cab and the John Deere Operations Center. This feature is available on model year 2026 planters or as a Precision Upgrades kit for certain models back to model year 2022.

Fertilizer-Level Sensing is also new and it is similar to seed-level sensing, providing the operator with better information on the fertilizer level remaining in the tank. It is an external manifold that includes two pressure sensors, which are used to calculate both the liquid density as well as the volume remaining in the tank. This update is available on model year 2026 planters and is also a Precision Upgrades kit that can be added to machines that are model year 2022 and newer.

Active Vacuum Automation is available on model year 2026 planters with electric drives and the SeedStar 5 Monitoring System. This feature looks in real time at singulation and automatically adjusts the vacuum, helping to prevent skips and doubles.

To determine which new features and updates are available for existing machines or only on model year 2026 new machines, contact your local John Deere dealer.

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Plowing Through Tough Times: Equipment Manufacturers Double Down on Technology Upgrades Amid Sales Slump

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:20:46 GMT

New two-wheel and four-wheel drive tractor sales appear to be in a free fall to start 2025, and combines are tumbling down with them. That’s based on data pulled from the latest Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) U.S. Ag Tractors and Combine Report.

With spring planting just a handful of weeks away for some, the ag equipment industry is well aware of the forecasts predicting another down year demand-wise.

“I would say our guide on the larger ag machines is in that minus 20 to minus 30 range for the full year, but I haven’t gone through all the details (of the AEM report) yet,” says Kurt Coffey, head of North America, Case IH.

Coffey does think it’s a bit premature to sound the alarm bells based on a contracted January, though.

“We need to see the quarter play out in total, because there are companies that had new product launches that were getting the new line rates adjusted and maybe didn’t ship in January, but they may ship in February,” he adds.

Still, the AEM numbers to kick off 2025 don’t paint the rosiest of pictures. Case IH specifically is coming off a busy 2024 that featured two new massive row crop combine launches and the late-summer introduction of its new mobile fleet management app, FieldOps. For this year, the company debuted a new Farmall C utility tractor in the 100 hp range that Coffey says represents “kind of the core of the every man’s tractor” and is something he is “very excited about that.”

“There are certain areas where we’re very clean and there are certain areas where we would like to reduce a half a month to a month of stock, if that makes sense,” Coffey says. “We’re sitting where we want to be on more of the large categories, but I would like to maybe get a little cleaner on some of the livestock or mixed farm categories, but these are statistically small to our total performance, so it’s nothing really that we’re concerned about here in North America.”

Coffey says he isn’t super worried because his team is focused on what matters: staying steady and “destocking at the dealer level.” He says that effort has helped with overall dealer financial health and has calmed some of the concerns equipment dealers had coming into the year.

“We’ve been closely watching lead measures and used values, and not only values in dollars, but also in quantities,” he says. “And we heavily invested in velocity last Q3 and Q4 to help get some of the used stuff through the system, and now we’re starting to see some of the fruits of that labor.

“I don’t want to speak for our dealers, but we’re hearing feedback that we’re being more proactive and a stronger partner in that area than our dealers have had in a long time. That feedback came from our dealer advisory board. And that’s a good indicator of when the market stabilizes, how healthy are we to then attack a market on an upside?”

Of course, sluggish machine sales aren’t the only hurdle to leap over. The ongoing threat of tariffs – many of which could be levied against some of America’s strongest ag trade partners – has demanded a high level of attention over the last few weeks.

“I’m a farm kid from a town of 800 people, Ashmore, Illinois, and at like eight years old my dad told me ‘Kurt, I can’t sit here and worry about if it’s gonna rain or not,’ and we were in a massive drought. It was the 80s and it just really imprinted on me like, I can’t control this, so what can I do about it,” Coffey says. “And so we stay disciplined and balanced (in our approach). We’re having daily reviews with the Executive team because look, last week it was China, Mexico, and Canada. And then the next day, Canada and Mexico were paused for 30 days. And last week, we had a solid go forward plan. And then over the weekend there’s steel and aluminum (tariffs), so the plan changes. We’re staying calm, focusing on customer value and in a disciplined way, we’re doing what we can to deliver that.”

With new equipment sales slow and the threat of a global trade war looming, one area Coffey is seeing interest from farmers is in Case IH’s tech stack and its digital platform, FieldOps.

“We’re really going deep on our technology and unlocking value with our FieldOps platform,” Coffey told Farm Journal last week at the National Farm Machinery Show. “Where’s the machine? How’s it operating? What are my yields? I need to send that to my agronomist.” Honestly, I’ve been here all day today and that’s probably half the conversation. People literally coming up saying, ‘Hey, how do I integrate my data from my combine to my planter?’

AGCO-PTx Trimble weigh in
AgRevolution CEO Stacy Anthony met with Farm Journal at the AGCO booth, where the Duluth, Georgia-based manufacturer debuted an updated line of Massey Ferguson utility tractors as well as a new Hesston double square baler for hay and forage operations.

RELATED: AGCO Launches Massey Ferguson 2025 Compact Tractor Series, New Double Square Baler

Anthony told us farmers he met with at the show are still talking about last year’s AGCO-Precision Planting-Trimble tie up, which remains the largest ag tech acquisition deal in history. The companies re-branded its combined precision ag technology portfolio under the PTx Trimble name.

“We were always thought of as kind of chasing the leader for years to come, and now this PTx Trimble deal has given us a position to lead from the front, to lead with strength,” Anthony says. “Now we’re going to have a tech stack that’s unlike and unmatched from anybody else in the industry. That’s what we’re excited about and that’s what the farmer is excited about, because he’s got a choice now. He’s got a choice between the competition.”

PTx Trimble had its own separate booth in Louisville, where it was showing its new WM-Field Form land-forming and water management kit for the first time.

The WM-Field Form kit adds an RTK receiver to the blade implement on a tractor already equipped with auto steer to increase single-scraper landforming accuracy and improve connectivity at the edge of the field or in areas where the tractor and implement may not have full line of sight to the sky.

The company also featured its OutRun autonomous grain cart retrofit kit. That tractor and grain cart autonomy kit is available now from PTx Trimble dealers. Although it will start out automating only the tractor-grain cart functions, senior product manager Dinen Subramaniam says the same kit will be adapted to automate tillage tools and dry fertilizer spreaders in the near future.

“There are a lot of small operations that really struggle to find good help and there are large farms that can benefit from the increased efficiency,” he says. “They can now take someone, a highly skilled operator, and get them to do something that is worth their time, but no one else can do it, and then have an autonomous tractor out there taking care of the other tasks.”

Deere Dials Up More Retrofit Options
John Deere did not launch any new tractors or machines at the Louisville show this year, but the manufacturer did expand its Precision Upgrades retrofit program to include ExactEmerge and MaxEmerge 5e seed meter upgrades for 2015 and newer factory planters. The kits are available now at your local Deere dealer.

Deere says farmers that upgrade to its ExactEmerge electric seed meters can increase productivity by more than 100 acres per day by planting at speeds up to 10 mph.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Both upgrade kits offer increased population accuracy - Deere claims a 20% increase in seeding accuracy compared to its MaxEmerge 5 meters - and the ExactEmerge kit enables accurate population and spacing while planting at speeds up to 10 mph, Deere says.

“Traditionally, customers have gotten a planter upgrade from us and essentially that upgrade came in a full row unit, but now we’re giving them the ability to upgrade without replacing the entire row unit,” says Kyle Barry, manager, Precision Upgrades.

Barry adds the newer your John Deere planter is, the easier it is going to be to install the electrically-driven seed metering kits on your own. Deere is also offering dealer installation if farmers would rather let the dealer techs handle it.

Barry says most farmers make the decision to upgrade an older planter once they get wind of the capabilities that new technology can offer, such as automatic row shutoffs and better seed singulation. Often, those increases can be the difference in getting your acreage planted in a tight window versus missing your window and feeling some yield drag on the back end of the growing season.

“With both of these seed meters we’re giving you the ability to have individual row shut offs on your planter,” he explains. “So as you go around corners or you plant into a headland and you have point rows, we’re going to shut each individual row off. You’re putting the seeds exactly where you want to, so you’re not over planting. That’s where you can get that 20% increase in population accuracy.”

After re-branding its aftermarket program to Precision Upgrades and launching the Precision Upgrades Essential kit at last year’s Louisville show, Deere is now offering many of its technologies as both OEM installed and aftermarket add-ons, most notably being its See & Spray smart spraying technology. Barry says this evolution at Deere is all about meeting farmers where they are on the technology journey and helping them be more productive and profitable.

“We’re increasing the options that customers have with upgrades in general, its not something we’re doing that is just specific to planters,” he says. “We’ve got sprayers, combines, air seeding, basically you name it. Depending on the customer, we’ve got options (for them). We’re really excited about these two new meter only upgrades because it’s giving customers that traditionally would have said no to an upgrade the ability to get this technology on their farm. Or, if its planter-applied fertilizer they want to get into, now we have ExactRate and ExactShot (kits).”

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From the Factory to Your Fields: Where Farm Equipment Is Made

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 19:47:09 GMT

The global agriculture equipment market is currently valued at $181 billion (USD) and is expected to grow by 4% over the next eight years. That’s according to a recent analysis from global consulting firm IMARC Group.

While IMARC Group pegs Asia-Pacific as the leading region for farm equipment manufacturing market share, it would stand to reason most of those machines are being sold to farmers in that region. The farm equipment U.S. farmers use is most commonly built in Europe, North America and South America.

Brand Breakdown
For example, John Deere’s manufacturing footprint is mainly based in North America. Of the 60 John Deere machines relevant to row-crop producers, 50 of them (83%) are manufactured in North America. Drilling down further, the three states with the largest John Deere manufacturing presence are:

Iowa at 61%
North Dakota at 17%
Illinois at 15%

Case IH builds 66% of its row-crop machines throughout North America, while 24% of them are manufactured in Europe.

Fellow CNH brand New Holland maintains a fairly balanced manufacturing presence between Europe (30%) and North America (43%).

AGCO’s Germany-based brand, Fendt, builds 57% of its row-crop machines in the European Union (EU) with North America hosting roughly 43% of its manufacturing. Claas has a large manufacturing presence in Europe, but it also manufactures its LEXION combine in Omaha, Neb., and has facilities in Columbus, Ind., and Regina, Saskatchewan.

McCormick and Landini machines are built entirely in EU factories. In contrast, Buhler Industries’ manufacturing footprint is fully based in North America.

Check out the data to see where your favorite tractor, planter, sprayer, combine and other farm machines are built in 2025.

Click here to download a printable version of the table above.

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FTC vs. John Deere: Two Experts Answer Key Questions

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:30:02 GMT

On Jan. 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court accusing John Deere of creating and presiding over a monopolistic and anti-competitive repair and dealer service system that puts farmers and independent repair professionals at an unfair disadvantage.

The news of this legal action has sent shock-waves through the ag equipment world. Deere has since offered an official statement condemning the action as “meritless…baseless…brazen partisanship.”

Incoming FTC chair, commissioner Andrew Ferguson, who has been appointed to head up the agency under President Trump, issued a statement that simultaneously recognizes the importance of allowing farmers to diagnose and fix their machines while indicating he disagrees with the decision to file the lawsuit. Fergusons’ statement was cosigned by fellow FTC commissioner Melissa Holyoak.

What happens next?
According to a post at FTC.gov, once the agency files a lawsuit the respondent – in this case, John Deere – has the right to contest the charges. FTC may then issue a final order, which can be appealed to the courts. The agency may also seek civil (i.e. financial) damages or request an injunction against Deere.

Plaintiff’s counsel have requested an injunction against John Deere. The lawsuit expressly asks for “a permanent injunction and other equitable relief against Deere to prevent its unlawful conduct in or affecting commerce in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act” along with several state statutes in Illinois and Minnesota.

The Interviews
Now that we’ve set the stage, here is what two experts who have paid close attention to the case have to say about it:

James Kovacs is an antitrust attorney with Shinder Cantor Lerner (SLC), a national litigation firm that specializes in antitrust law.

Q: Is what FTC is accusing Deere of difficult to prove in a court of law?

A: “This is actually a very interesting topic that has been going on now for a number of decades, called right to repair. And right to repair within the antitrust space, which is where I practice, has to do with whether or not restrictions placed by the original equipment manufacturer, in this case John Deere, and what we call an aftermarket, which are the areas in which people compete for repair or service, whether those, you know, aftermarkets are being harmed. And so looking at whether people cannot either independently repair their own equipment or whether independent retailers or repair centers are also restricted as well. With these cases, really any monopolization case is challenging, but here I will say that the practices of John Deere, I think, are quite open and notorious.

“For a long time, people have been aware that farmers have been restricted from repairing their farm equipment. There are a variety of means, most of which are sort of technical issues in which the data and information necessary to perform the repair or the tool, which I believe is called the Service Advisor, has been restricted. And so, when the farmer or the independent repair center goes to fix the John Deere equipment, they are not able to access the necessary technical information to complete the job. And now the farmer can only do those types of repairs through a John Deere retailer, an authorized retailer.

“And so, this type of conduct within the right to repair market dates back to cases in the 1990s, in particular, with Kodak printers. And it can be found to be anti-competitive, wherein there’s an entity with basically complete control over the repair market who applies these types of restrictions. So, this is not something that is uncommon. And it’s something that’s seen quite an uptick in interest since the Biden Administration made it a priority. And when the FTC issued their initial report, called Nixing The Fix, that sort of got the ball rolling on the FTC’s interest in these types of cases.”

Q: In your opinion, does FTC have a strong case here?

A: “In my experience, the FTC does not bring complaints unless they feel like there are strong grounds to do so. Again, I also think there are a couple key factors at play here. One, I think the public is becoming quite aware of John Deere’s practices. I know that there are several reports and public sources out there who have spoken about these issues and their impact on farmers and their farming equipment.

“The second aspect to keep in mind is there is also a private litigation against John Deere alleging the same practices. That case has proceeded past a motion to dismiss. And so, what that means is the allegations have been proven to be sufficient to allow the parties to proceed into discovery. And I think that gives credence to the fact these claims are not necessarily merit-less at all. But in fact, people who have been looking at these issues believe there are merits to these claims. And I think the FTC does not typically act unless they believe strongly that an issue could be problematic.”

Q: FTC, through their legal team, has requested an injunction against Deere along with their co-plaintiffs, the state attorney generals in Illinois and Minnesota. Let’s say I’m a farmer in Illinois or Minnesota, and I’m using Deere equipment. I may be looking to have some repairs made before spring planting by a John Deere dealer. Could there be implications at play for those users?

A: “I think it’s important to note that the FTC’s jurisdiction is nationwide. And so, what the FTC is seeking through its injunctive relief, as I understand it, is access to what they call the ‘full function Service Advisor (program).’ As of right now, there is sort of an incomplete Service Advisor that the independent repair pros and the farmers have access to, but that doesn’t give them the full suite of options to repair all the needs of their farming equipment. And the allegation is that John Deere has withheld some of this technical information out of a desire to sort of capture the repair market under the injunctive relief.

“As I understand it, if the FTC were to be successful in any litigation and a jury ultimately found in their favor, then ultimately the farmers would be able to get access to this full Service Advisor tool and therefore be able to complete more repairs. Whether or not John Deere comes up with additional ways of restricting repairs is going to be open to interpretation, but at least this is a very specific injunctive relief. And there’s also sort of broader language to sort of prevent them from continuing this unlawful conduct. And so, I think it could be substantial relief.”

Willie Cade is a Washington, D.C., lobbyist and Right to Repair advocate. His grandfather was on the board at John Deere and worked for the company as a chief engineer. He can be reached by email at willie@graceful.solutions .

Q: What have you learned about this legal action that sticks out to you?

A: “A couple of things really stick out in my mind. No. 1, deep into the filing, around paragraph 111, they talk about how this monopolization of repair actually affects all repairs.

“Yes, it’s not monopolization of every repair, but it affects the price of every repair, which is remarkable. And they really call it a monopoly. They’re flat out about it. I love the way they took the time – we initially filed the complaint with the FTC and I worked on that with the attorneys that filed it three years ago. So they did their homework and they’ve done a really good job. And I really recommend to the farmers who really care about this issue, that they read the complaint because it reads really well. It reads like they know the industry, like they know what they’re talking about and that kind of thing.

“The other thing that was kind of interesting is, is they have lots (of evidence). They have a number of John Deere executives on record saying that, yeah, we knew we were doing this. So, I mean, they’ve really nailed it from that point of view. And when you look at the dissenting opinion from the two Republican commissioners, it’s a non-dissent dissent. There really was no objection to the substance of the suit, just the timing.”

Q: Are you aware of any other major farm machinery companies that might be engaged in similar conduct?

A: “They’re all doing it. They all use the same similar kind of technology — the CAN bus. Caterpillar is a little different because it’s not a CAN bus, it’s a hub. But those are just technical details. They’re still wanting to, I assert, illegally control the consumer after they sell the product. That’s a legal concept called tying. And tying has been illegal for almost a century now. And the electronics allow you to do it today where you weren’t able to do it before, other than physically. So we’re going to nail this. It’s going to take a year or two and then we’re going to move on. We’re going to move on to some even more important issues in agriculture. But I won’t tell you what that is yet.”

Q: Could you see this becoming sort of a win-win situation, where the farmers win out on this and even Deere comes out of this looking somewhat okay and maybe better for the long term?

A: “Well, here’s the interesting thing. Due to the lack of rights to repair their own farm equipment, farmers stand to lose $4.2 billion a year. About 20% of that is realized in higher prices for repair and services. The rest is in lost yield. So, could you imagine if farmers could get that rough number, that $3.8 billion back or even $3.7 billion back? And it’s all profit, by the way. By the time you get the yield, it’s all profit. If they could get that as profit, of course John Deere is going to do better with sales.”

Watch this video for additional coverage from the Jan. 18, 2025, episode of U.S. Farm Report.

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BREAKING: FTC Files Right to Repair Lawsuit, John Deere Issues Statement

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 18:37:23 GMT

It is bone-chillingly cold throughout the Midwest, yet the Right to Repair issue is heating up once again.

Farm Journal Washington correspondent Jim Wiesemeyer learned early Wednesday morning that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is filing a lawsuit against Deere & Co. for allegedly violating U.S. competition laws.

The lawsuit was filed on Jan. 15, 2025, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Western Division. You can review the redacted filing by clicking here.

Update (6:31 pm CST): John Deere has released a statement vowing to fight the lawsuit, characterizing the FTC’s claims as “baseless” and “meritless.” It can be viewed here.

Wiesemeyer shared the following summary of key points from Deere’s response:

Commitment to repair access: John Deere emphasized its long-standing dedication to customer self-repair, noting its history of publishing manuals, selling parts directly, and providing digital tools like Customer Service ADVISOR.
Defense of innovation: The company stated that the lawsuit “punishes innovation and pro-competitive product design.”
Settlement efforts: John Deere disclosed ongoing settlement negotiations with the FTC prior to the lawsuit and criticized the agency for relying on “inaccurate information and assumptions.”
Recent initiatives: Highlights included the launch of Equipment Mobile in 2023, upcoming upgrades to the John Deere Operations Center, and a pilot program to enhance farmer’s repair options.

RELATED: What Does Right to Repair Really Mean?

What happens next?
According to a post at FTC.gov, once the agency files a lawsuit the respondent – in this case, John Deere – has the right to contest the charges. FTC may then issue a final order, which can be appealed to the courts. The agency may also seek civil (i.e. financial) damages or request an injunction against Deere.

According to the Jan. 15 filing, Plaintiff’s counsel has asked for an injunction against John Deere. The lawsuit requests “a permanent injunction and other equitable relief against Deere to prevent its unlawful conduct in or affecting commerce in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act” along with several state statutes in Illinois and Minnesota.

Farm Journal has reached out to its contacts in the ag law realm to find out what the implications are if an injunction is granted against Deere in Illinois and Minnesota, and what that would mean for Deere customers in those states. We’ll update with more information as soon as we have it.

Why is FTC filing against Deere?
Reuters and other news sources confirm the agency has been actively investigating John Deere since 2021 .

Weisemeyer has been following the situation closely. He has learned the agency claims Deere’s equipment design often necessitates proprietary software available only to authorized dealers, which in turn limits farmers and independent repair shop’s ability to perform repairs.

Deere had previously agreed in January 2023, through an accord with the American Farm Bureau Federation, to expand access to its repair tools, but according to Weisemeyer and reporting from Bloomberg, concerns over compliance with that agreement persist.

According to reporting from online publication Agriculture Dive, a court last year ruled against the heavy equipment giant’s bid to dismiss a similar lawsuit from a group of farmers.

In yet another twist in this ongoing saga, FTC Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson has issued a dissenting opinion, which is cosigned by FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak. President Trump announced on Dec. 10 that Ferguson will serve as the new Chair of the FTC under his administration.

You can review that dissenting opinion here.

Deere’s news release on expanding self-repair solutions
On Jan., 14, 2025, John Deere issued a news release outlining its commitment to expanding access to various digital tools and resources to help independent repair technicians and farmers diagnose equipment and make repairs.

The full statement is posted to Deere’s online newsroom.

The statement details what Deere calls its “Commitment to Repairability” and includes a list of tools that are available today to “support customers throughout their machine ownership and repair journey.”

Deere also writes that a “latest addition to Deere’s suite of digital solutions will further empower customers and independent repair technicians by, among other things, enabling them to reprogram Deere-manufactured electronic controllers.” The new capabilities are being integrated into the John Deere Operation’s Center, Deere adds, and will “offer more comprehensive solutions for diagnosing and repairing equipment while ensuring machine reliability, safety, and compliance.”

The manufacturer also says it will have additional announcements regarding a “customer and independent repair technician pilot” which is due to launch in the U.S. and Canada by the second half of 2025.

The news release directs interested parties to visit Deere.com/repair for more information.

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Ag Tech and Machinery Trends to Track for 2025

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 19:29:12 GMT

If you had to choose one phrase to describe how to approach farm machinery and ag tech solutions in 2025, it would be “get creative.”

So far, that looks like being open to mixed fleets of equipment, looking at retrofit technology versus buying new off the factory line and even some nontraditional options coming to the North American market via Europe.

“We are seeing growing interest in avoiding being ‘captive’ to fewer brands,” says Seth Crawford, senior vice president and general manager – precision ag and digital, AGCO. “We see farmers continuing to buy machines and technology, even if they only have $15,000 to $20,000 to spend. That’s still enough for impactful improvements.”

What’s Coming from Ag Tech

On the heels of a record harvest for most key row crops, a dead cat bounce for commodity prices is not likely.

“Farmers are going to have to continue to manage seed costs and fertility costs,” Crawford says, noting precision ag technology as a key cog in helping farmers do so. “We’ve got to show where they could be losing yield and offer solutions that pay off quickly.”

There is an emerging technology many experts are excited to see hit the market in 2025: autonomous grain carts. OutRun.Ag, AGCO’s retrofit kit that enables autonomous grain cart operation, will be widely available for the first time after extensive beta testing in 2024. New Holland will also have OMNiDRIVE, its Raven grain cart automation kit, on the market this year.

Farmer interest is growing for autonomous grain cart retrofits, with multiple brands planning releases in 2025. According to Paul Welbig, New Holland director of precision technology, swarming this technology will help growers capture more ROI and value.

(New Holland, PTx Trimble)

New Holland director of precision technology Paul Welbig says swarming autonomous grain carts is where the rubber meets the road.

“If you’re running more than one machine at the same time, that’s how you capture ROI and value,” he says, noting OMNiDRIVE supports upward of six combine and tractor combinations.

Autonomous tractor retrofits such as Sabanto’s Steward and Bear Flag Republic’s kit for John Deere tractors are also seeing higher interest. John Deere itself will soon move its autonomy products beyond tractors and tillage tools into the most intense farming jobs in the production cycle: planting and harvesting.

“We will prioritize autonomy for the jobs that occur at the busiest times of the year, when farmers must contend with limited labor, lots of variables and short windows of time to get things done,” says Michael Porter, go to market manager – large tractors.

It’s all being driven by the labor crunch. The second Trump administration coming into power could portend less farmworker availability, and rural areas are experiencing reverse migration as younger generations have a preference to live closer to large cities.

“The gig economy unfortunately hasn’t hit rural America yet,” Crawford says. “With grain cart automation, we talk to farmers about being able to get the crop out early and optimizing harvest logistics so they can potentially save two or three days in that harvest window, which can dramatically change your income level.”

More Commercialization

Other emerging technologies – spray drones, smart sprayers and autonomous machines and robots – are also moving to greater commercialization.

“With margins so tight, we’re actually seeing some farmers steering away from high-clearance, self-propelled sprayers to drones,” says Arthur Erickson, CEO, Hylio. “We worked with Beck’s Hybrids on some plot trials this summer, and the drones performed better than a ground rig ROI-wise. Because of the smaller droplet sizes, you can penetrate the canopy better.”

“With margins so tight, we’re actually seeing some farmers steering away from high-clearance, self-propelled sprayers to drones.”

(Lindsey Pound)

One development that will lift all boats is progress on the ag data standards front. AgGateway and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) are continuing to work to get manufacturers and tech providers to the table to make data easier to collect and analyze across different machines and systems.

“Making it easier to share data between spray drones and ground sprayers, by having an open data exchange, would help these technologies be picked up more,” Crawford says. “If you miss a spot with your ground sprayer, it’s easier to come back in and hit it with a drone.”

What to Expect With Farm Machinery

There are a couple of notable trends that have started emerging as we head into 2025:

Increased availability of machines coming over from the European market. Fendt and Claas are probably the two biggest players to keep an eye on. Mahindra is another foreign manufacturer gaining traction.
Nimble mobile service and dealership concepts disrupt the brick-and-mortar model.

Crawford says he has watched these two trends play out within his own company: AGCO is now seeing farmers become more interested than ever in its German-built Fendt brand, and its AgRevolution mobile dealer and service tech network expanded into Ohio during the tail end of 2024 as well.

“Growers are starting to see these European machines are able to compete in the North American market, and they’re still going to get a premium tractor that can get more done in a day,” Crawford explains.

The threat of tariffs looms over the future of European machinery brands in North America - with farmers unlikely to pay higher prices to cover the expense of importing the equipment.

(John David Pittman)

A recent development that could reverse that trend is the incoming Trump administration’s ideas around tariff policy. If tariffs push prices up, farmers aren’t going to be too keen on covering those higher costs out of their own pockets.

“What we’re seeing [on the dealer side] is complementing local brick and mortar dealerships by having more service techs out in the field, showing farmers, we can do business with you where you are, and it really resonates,” Crawford says. “Having that technology in your local community with a fully equipped service truck, you can call them out to the farm, and that builds a lot of confidence.”

Remaining confident in your ability to produce a profitable crop will be crucial moving forward. Creativity will also pay dividends, Crawford agrees.

“Difficult times cause farmers to be creative because they love farming and want to do everything they can to stay with it,” he says.

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Inside AgRevolution: AGCO’s Bold Mobile Service Play Pledges ‘Farmers First’

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:54:58 GMT

Intent on building out a new dealer service strategy for its family of equipment brands, AGCO quietly approached equipment industry pro Stacy Anthony to see if he’d be willing to take on the reimagined dealer network’s CEO role.

The affable-yet-intense farm kid from Kansas was undoubtedly interested, but he wasn’t going to be an easy sell. Anthony recalls three non-negotiables he shared with AGCO executives before agreeing to put pen to paper and go all-in:

The project had to be “something different” than the traditional equipment dealer business model.
He wanted to take the repair and maintenance aspects of the dealer business “straight to the farm, and even to a farmer’s field.”
The new business model needed to embrace an “all makes mindset.”

AGCO president and CEO Eric Hansotia huddled his team of executives and eventually they agreed Anthony was the man for the job.

(Related - Planting A Flag: AGCO All-In On Mixed-Fleet Aftermarket Ag Tech)

A New Era of On-Farm Service
AgRevolution was officially launched in 2021, a time when the world was slowly but surely crawling out from underneath the soul-crushing weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast forward three years and AgRevolution today features 13 dealer locations dispatching service technicians in shiny, well-appointed half ton pickups around the Ohio Valley region to diagnose and wrench on machines.

Anthony says roughly 90% of the jobs his service technicians undertake are finished either on-farm or right there in the farmer’s field. That age-old logistical nightmare of how to get this giant but currently inoperable machine several miles up the road to the nearest dealer shop, has been taken off the broad shoulders of the farmers who call on AgRevolution for repairs and service.

AgRevolution field service tech Steve Bowers uploads a firmware update to a customer’s Fendt 940 tractor on a farm just outside of Urbana, Ohio, in October.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

The concept got off to a shaky start though, not unlike most rookie campaigns. AGCO’s finance team projected the business would lose $1 million. Anthony and his team did what most farmers do in times of peril: they tightened their belts and focused on what they could do to effect positive change. It all eventually worked out and the AgRev team ended up flipping that dismal profit projection on its head, creating a surprise profit that most in the company didn’t think possible at the time.

Today, AgRevolution has invested $7-million-plus into a fleet of over 50 mobile service trucks, and the initiative just expanded into Ohio with five locations around the Buckeye State. Overall AgRevolution revenues are up 400% since year one, Anthony says, and revenues are up 49% from last year.

While it was his ideation that birthed this innovative service model, the humble Kansas native is quick to deflect credit to the guys in the AgRev hats out in the field everyday.

AgRev field service techs (above left) complete 90% of their tasks on-farm with a fleet of well-appointed mobile service trucks.

(AGCO/AgRevolution)

“Our service technicians and the relationships they have with farmers, that’s what has really helped us grow and expand,” Anthony says as we walk around AgRevolution’s newest location in Urbana, Ohio.

Even before its Nov. 1 grand opening, service technicians and sales pros out of the Urbana, Ohio, office were servicing local farmers’ machines for a couple months as they worked on getting the main office ready.

Going on a Service Call
Steve Bowers, a field service technician and Ohio farm kid, let Farm Journal tag along on a quick service call to get a feel for how it all worked. He says farmers in his community love the responsiveness and ease of doing business with AgRevolution, not to mention the fact that AgRev techs are brand agnostic: They’ll come out and fix your Fendt combine, or your Massey Ferguson tractor, and if you’ve got a broken down John Deere sprayer you can’t get to the local dealer, they’ll fix that, too.

The service call we witnessed was routine: Bowers needed to update the operating system on the farmer’s Fendt 940 tractor because the machine was having trouble maintaining connectivity. The adjustment handle on the cab air seat had also been broken off and needed replaced.

AgRevolution field service tech Steve Bowers let Farm Journal tag along as he diagnosed and repaired a couple minor issues on this Fendt 940 tractor.

(Matthew J. Grassi )

Bowers said he would order the new seat handle at the end of day, and it would show up either later that night or first thing the next morning at his house. With the part in hand, he can go straight to the customer’s farm to fix the seat before heading off on his service calls for the day. AgRevolution can also send larger parts straight to the farm so they’re waiting for Bowers when he arrives.

Hear It Straight From a Service Tech
We asked Bowers if there are repair jobs he prefers over others, as one would guess doing software updates might not rank very highly. Bowers said his favorite machines to work on are combines. Since there are so many moving parts and systems, it’s more of a brain stimulating challenge than some other jobs.

As we climbed out of the tractor cab after Bowers completed his work, Anthony didn’t mince words when asked what he thinks puts the “Rev” (think vroom vroom) behind the AgRevolution brand.

“It’s guys like Steve here, the guy wants to service a customer no matter what it takes, because he lives in this community and doesn’t want to leave a neighbor hanging,” Anthony says. “Before his service truck even arrived, I got a picture from one of the guys and it’s Steve out in a field standing on the roof of his wife’s minivan working on a combine.

“That’s the heart of what trust, commitment and resilience is, to do whatever you have to do at any cost to take care of the farmer,” he adds. “Guys like Steve help us build companies like this; you can’t do it without people like that and they’re highly, highly sought after.”

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Autonomy in Farming: What Manufacturers and Tech Companies Are Working On

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:28:11 GMT

A bold, new era marked by mass adoption of autonomous machines is nearing realization. Farmers are more interested than ever in the shift to full automation.

Ohio State University professor John Fulton points to the current farm economy as one catalyst driving interest. He believes challenges in recruiting skilled labor and an increasing comfort with technology will continue to advance buy-in from growers.

“You’re going to see more of it being embedded into machines, and we’re right on the cusp of seeing more autonomy adopted by farmers,” Fulton says.

Let’s dive in and explore what some companies developing autonomous solutions have been working on.

Retrofitting Robotics

Sabanto is developing retrofit kits to convert existing tractors into autonomous machines. The approach is grounded in founder and CEO Craig Rupp’s belief the next generation of highly capable, high horsepower tractors – what he deems the “Swiss Army Knives” of farming – are already in farmers’ machine sheds.

Rupp says rather than buying a new tractor with the latest autonomy features, farmers should first explore upgrading their current machines. Installation of Sabanto’s retrofit autonomous tractor kit is available today on John Deere’s 5E and 6E Series, as well as Kubota and Fendt models.

Sabanto is focusing on integrating farmer feedback into its autonomous tractor kits.

One potential low-hanging fruit is autonomous field-to-field traversal. This would shuttle the tractors autonomously between fields connected by a private drive, and someday do the same on public roads. Autonomous machines today are trailered from field to field.

In early summer 2024, Sabanto implemented the first virtual Field Operator (vFO) position.

(Sabantoag.com)

Sabanto is also forming a team of virtual field operators , made up of young people with experience in farming simulators, Rupp says. These operators will remotely oversee and control Sabanto machines across the country. After a farmer trailers a tractor to a field and unloads it, the virtual operators will manage tasks and oversee in-field operations in real time.

Rupp says Sabanto engineers are also improving in-field path planning and extending active hours with the goal of running robotic tractors around the clock.

From his viewpoint, the former electrical engineer turned ag entrepreneur is convinced autonomous farming will happen at a large-scale.

“We’ve gone beyond the when and if, and we’re at the stage where it comes down to how it is going to be done,” Rupp says.

2030 or Bust?

John Deere has released autonomy-ready packages for its tractors and tillage tools.

(John Deere/Bill Krzyzanowski)

John Deere’s transition from equipment manufacturer to data and ag tech innovator plows ahead at full steam. The manufacturers’ model year 2025 class of machines showcased more factory-installed autonomy features than any previous class in its long history.

A recent key development is the release of John Deere autonomy-ready packages for its tractors and tillage tools. The aftermarket kits include all of the necessary hardware and safety features for autonomous operations. To unlock full autonomy, farmers will only need to add a perception system, which consists of cameras and vision processing units.

In the future, Michael Porter, go-to-market manager – large tractors, says the perception system will be available alongside its retrofit precision ag technology kits through John Deere’s Precision Upgrades program.

“These elements are a key step in preparing farms for autonomous operations, and making those tools available [aftermarket] demonstrates the commitment we have to helping farmers at every phase along the autonomous journey,” Porter adds.

John Deere’s runway to bringing its machines to life without an operator at the helm is short: The company is in a race against the calendar, having pledged to delivering a fully autonomous fleet of machines in corn and soybeans by 2030.

The next opportunity to learn what John Deere is planning for its row-crop technology stack looks to be the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January 2025. Last year, the company showcased its 8R autonomous tractor and Furrow Vision seed furrow sensing technology.

Specialty Crop Starting Line

CNH-owned New Holland recently announced a tie up with ag robotics startup Bluewhite. The partnership will enable collaboration on distribution, manufacturing and integration of Bluewhite’s autonomous technology with New Holland tractors in North America.

According to Paul Welbig, director of precision technology, New Holland, the Bluewhite kits consist of many common components, such as front-facing LiDAR and various arrays of connected sensors around the tractor. Cursory mechanical drive components, as well as software to link everything up and make it all “talk”, or work in concert, are also included.

New Holland and Bluewhite will partner to deploy Bluewhite’s autonomous solutions for New Holland tractors used in orchards, vineyards, and other special crops.

(Photo courtesy of New Holland)

New Holland has also started building out its autonomy portfolio in row crops, starting with its driverless grain cart technology, Raven Cart Automation, that links up a grain cart (pulled by a tractor) and combine autonomously, removing the need for an additional driver during harvest.

“The practicality and return on investment [for that system] come in when you run more than one machine with only one operator,” Welbig explains. “That’s really how you start to see value; we can support multiple combine and tractor combinations – up to six machines total – today.”

Welbig and the New Holland executive team see autonomy as a five-step journey. The first step is auto guidance and GPS, and step two is ensuring all machines are connected and exchanging data. The highest level of autonomy, step five, represents a complete removal of both the driver and the farmer from the field altogether. At that level the farmer sits in a central location, managing and tasking multiple machines from a computer or tablet.

“Steps two, three and four in between, there’s still a lot of meat left on that bone,” Welbig admits. “As autonomous technology continues to evolve in the future, we’ll continue to evolve with it.”

Fully Cycle Autonomy

AGCO’s newest joint tech venture, PTx Trimble, is now solidly off the ground, and the company is advancing its autonomous grain cart tech heading into 2025.

The group’s vision of bringing autonomy to the full ag production cycle is also coming to life, although like its competitors, it’s going to take time for the full vision to come to fruition.

PTx Trimble’s automated grain cart system, OutRun.ag, will be available for purchase in 2025. For year one, single cart configuration is unlocked. The next evolution is enabling swarming of two autonomous grain carts around the same combine.

PTx Trimble also has an autonomous tillage system currently in development. The company figures many farmers will happily give up running a tillage tool across the field to a robot.

A clear differentiation point is PTx Trimble’s use of cellular connectivity and edge computing over low orbit satellite connectivity. This allows for operation in remote areas with sub-par connectivity.

RELATED: Planting A Flag: AGCO All-In On Mixed-Fleet Aftermarket Ag Tech

One limiting factor to adoption is farmer sentiment toward field work, and the types of tasks they’ll agree to give up to a machine. Ultimately, it will be up to the technology to fully prove its worth.

“As you automate you have the option of pulling the operator out [of the cab],” says Eric Hansotia, AGCO CEO. “But where is the farmer going to feel comfortable giving up that control? And can we find an autonomous solution there and build up farmer trust?”

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Ferrie: Dry, Dusty Harvest Calls For A Fire Contingency Plan

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:59:23 GMT

Soybean crops are fast disappearing across Illinois, as combines roll through fields finishing up the 2024 harvest, says Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.

One concern he has, however, is the amount of heavy dust coming out of equipment going across dry fields.

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a year with this much dust on the beans; the horizon looks like a bunch of brush fires with the amount of dust coming out of these combines,” he said on Friday during his weekly Boots In The Field podcast.

“As we finish up the beans and move to corn, everyone will need to have a contingency plan for field fires if it doesn’t rain soon,” he advises. “Combine downwind, if possible, on windy days so if we have a combine fire it burns away from the crop.”

Dry Conditions Are Extensive

While intense, heavy rains from hurricanes have lashed parts of the Southeast, the past week was extremely dry over a large majority of the contiguous 48 states, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday.

“Between 0.5” and 1.5” of rain fell on a small swath extending from west-central Illinois through southeastern Iowa last week,” the Monitor reports. “The rest of the Midwest region reported very light amounts at best, and most locations experienced a dry week with no measurable rain.”

The abnormally dry conditions can enhance the potential for combine and field fires this fall, reports Iowa State University Field Agronomist Joshua Michel. Low relative humidity levels and high winds can further increase the risk of fires.

According to the state’s Department of Natural Resources, Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

“All it takes to start a fire is a single high-temperature source in the engine area or an overheated bearing to ignite some dry plant material,” Michel reports in an online article.

Practical Steps To Prevent Fire

Keeping combine engine compartments free of debris, checking air filters, coolant and oil levels daily can help minimize the potential for a machinery fire. Removing plant materials wrapped on or near any bearings, belts, chains, or other moving parts can also help.

Michel offers additional recommendations here: Fire Prevention Tips During Harvest

Ferrie advises farmers to put together a contingency plan to prevent fires from occurring as well as a plan for steps to take if one does start.

“Having a tillage tool hooked up and ready to go is one idea, plus your crew needs to know what to do in case a fire happens,” he says.

Get Ferrie’s updates on harvest and agronomic issues he’s following in the podcast, here: Boots In The Field Report October 11, 2024

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Adjust Your Combine to Reduce Damage to High Moisture Corn

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:15:23 GMT

Moisture levels are going to be all over the board when combines roll this fall. In high-moisture situations, a few simple combine adjustments can minimize grain damage. To dial in your combine, it’s important to understand where damage occurs as the crop moves through the machine.

Feeding Components

“Don’t blame the concave or rotor for all the grain damage you see in the tank,” says Jeff Gray, product coordinator, Claas Lexion. “Look at the kernels to see how they were damaged to determine adjustments.”

Some grain damage occurs far in front of the concave and rotor. If corn head cross-augers are positioned too high, the flighting can pinch and scrape the tops of kernels as ears are augered toward the feeder house, says Kelly Kravig, Case IH harvest marketing manager. Lower the cross-auger to reduce “tipped” kernels.

Threshing Elements

Once feeding adjustments are appropriate, cracked or broken kernels suggest threshing elements are smashing the kernels off the cobs rather than rubbing and rolling them off. Reduce threshing speed until grain damage is minimized, then tighten the concave clearance to clean the cobs. The optimum distance between the threshing elements and the surface of the concave is slightly wider than the diameter of an average corn cob (shelled) from that field.

It’s easy when experimenting with concave settings to overtighten and end up with a lot of pieces of cobs in the grain tank. If there are excessive cobs in the tank, there are probably broken cobs stuck in the sieves.

Often, the first response is to close the chaffer to clean the grain sample. Closing the chaffer from the cab, with chunks of cobs stuck between the louvers, can bend the louvers and damage the adjusting mechanism.

Before decreasing chaffer settings, manually clean the louvers so the adjusting mechanism can move freely.

Cleaning Fans

Be sure to run cleaning fans near top speed. “Air is the lubricant that lifts and floats crop material across the chaffer and sieve,” Gray says. ”Without enough air, the shaking motion of the sieves will pack the material into a dense mat, trapping the grain and carrying it out the back of the combine.”

11 Ways to Make Sure Your Header Is Doing Its Job

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 20:56:05 GMT

Optimizing combine performance often requires Sherlock Holmes-type detective work. Cracked or chipped kernels in the grain tank might actually originate 10' in front of the driver’s seat, and grain lying on the ground after a pass might have never seen the inside of the machine.

“You can adjust your combine’s rotor speed, concave settings, cleaning fan speed and sieves all day long, and it won’t fix grain damage or grain loss problems at the header,” says Brent Kvasnicka, senior marketing product specialist for combines at AGCO North America.

When it comes to soybeans, many combine operators hope to harvest soybeans at 6 mph with less than 1 bu. per acre of grain loss. Achieving that goal requires careful adjustment and operation of both draper and auger-style grain small grain platforms.

Follow these 11 tips to keep grain loss at a minimum:

Corn Heads

■ The first step to minimize grain loss at the corn head is to match deck plate clearances to stalk size. All deck plates, fixed or variable, should be gapped about ¼" wider at the rear than at the front. Initially set hydraulically adjustable deck plates halfway between their minimum and maximum opening, then let the crop tell you how to fine-tune the setting.

“If you see a lot of butt shelling and strings of kernels in the rows right behind the head, the deck plates are likely too wide,” says Matt Badding, John Deere tactical marketing manager for harvest equipment. “If you tighten them too much you might see cut-off stalks and more trash. Balance the deck plate setting to minimize butt shelling without cutting off stalks.”

■ Whole stalks and trash moving into the machine is a sign of extreme gathering chain/stalk roll speed.

“Extra residue makes it harder for the grain to sift down through the trash and risks carrying some of that grain out the back,” says Jeff Gray, Claas Lexion product coordinator. “Minimizing the amount of trash going into the feeder house generally minimizes the amount of grain going out the back.”

■ Damaged grain in the grain tank leads many combine operators to mistakenly adjust concave settings and threshing speed. Adjusting internal combine settings does little to reduce grain damage if that damage originated at the corn head.

“Even if you’re not actually butt shelling at the deck plates, if you’re running the (stalk) rolls too fast, it can slightly crack the kernels when they smack down against those deck plates,” says Kelly Kravig, Case IH harvest marketing manager “Then when the ears get into the combine, those cracked kernels go ahead and shatter in the rotor, even though the rotor isn’t the cause of the damage.”

■ Corn head augers are another potential source of grain damage. The height of the auger off the floor of the corn head is critical. Badding advocates setting augers so their flighting grabs all ears.

“What you don’t want is the auger flighting so high it pinches ears against the trough and scrapes off the tips or cracks kernels,” he says. “If you’re getting tipped kernels in the grain tank, check the auger height before you make adjustments to the concave clearance.”

■ Modern corn heads offer stalk chopping or processing options but there are costs associated.

“Those heads are designed to process stalks, but you have to balance the power requirements of shredding stalks into confetti, along with how it can degrade threshing and separation, if you feed extra material through the machine,” Badding says. “Setting a corn head has a major influence not only on grain quality and grain loss, but on the condition it leaves the stalks and residue.”

Soybean Platforms

■ Cutterbars are the starting point for optimum performance of both auger and draper platforms. Not only must sickle knives be sharp enough to snag a leather glove, but the rock guards and all wear points must be factory-fresh. Dull sickle sections, or rock guards with rounded edges where the sickle slides back and forth, gnaw rather than slice bean stems. Any vibration to a stem during its harvest can shake loose or shatter pods.

■ The angle of the cutterbar should be parallel to the ground or slightly downhill by 1° to 3°. That angle is determined on older platforms by mechanical adjusters on the bottom, rear of the platform. Newer platforms adjust cutterbar angle by mechanically or hydraulically tilting the entire head. If the angle is too steep, the cutterbar is prone to pick up rocks or gouge the soil. If the angle is such that the platform runs on the rear of its skid shoes, the cutterbar tends to cut stubble higher and drag stems and leaves under damp conditions.

■ Cutterbars must be straight so automatic header height control systems work properly.

“Bent cutterbar supports can create high spots [in a cutterbar] that make it more difficult for the cutterbar to flex and follow ground contours,” Badding says. “Bends in a cutterbar also increase wear to the knife.”

■ Check cutterbars by raising a platform 5' to 6' off the ground. Sight across the cutterbar from one end of the platform. High spots in the cutterbar suggest bent supports or brackets. Diagnosis can be tricky because small irregularities among cutterbar supporting components are magnified by the geometry of those components. A 2" hump in a cutterbar can be the result of only a ¼" bend in a support frame or related component.

■ Older platforms with broad, wide skid shoes flex and follow the ground surface better if the previous year’s crop debris and dirt is cleaned from the tops of the skid shoes. Use compressed air to blow from behind the sickle toward the rear of the skid shoes. Material packed into that pivot point hinders the skid shoes from flexing and following the soil surface.

■ Newer platforms feature an adjustable hydraulic system to control the pressure of the cutterbar against the ground.

If operators increase pressure, more of the weight of the cutterbar is carried by small hydraulic cylinders under the header frame, Kvasnicka says. This makes the cutterbar less heavy and less likely to push in damp or soft soil conditions.

If operators reduce cutterbar pressure, Kvasnicka says less of its weight is supported by the small hydraulic cylinders. The cutterbar becomes heavier but more flexible and better able to follow surface irregularities. The increased weight and contact with the soil surface can lead to pushing
in damp or soft soils, though.

Once basic settings are made, adjustments to the specific platform further optimize performance.

Running an auger platform? Read Dan Anderson’s tips on minimizing grain loss .

Using a draper platform? Use these tips to dial in belt speed for even feeding .

How a Combine Works

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 20:31:59 GMT

A combine is a system that starts at the header and ends with the planter. No component functions independently; the header, feeder house, thresher, separator, cleaning fan and straw chopper all interact with effects that can reach all the way to planting the following spring.

“A combine is a really sophisticated machine, when you consider everything it’s doing at one time,” says Kelly Kravig, Case IH harvest marketing manager. “It’s taking in crop, threshing it, separating the grain and dispersing the residue, and all those processes have to interact smoothly to get optimum performance.”

Take in the crop. Headers and feeder houses are the first contact point for crop moving into a combine. Small grain and soybean platforms in particular influence combine performance. Combines thrive on smooth, even feeding of crop into the machine. Bunch-feeding due to misadjusted reels on platforms dramatically increases grain damage and loss out the back of the machine.

Feeder houses are more than merely conveyors between the header and the combine. The feeder house drum and conveyor chain flatten the inflowing crop and prepare it for smooth feeding into the separator. Center-feeding, where the majority of the crop travels up the center third of the feeder house, decreases efficiency. If feeding properly, paint should be worn the full width of the feeder house floor.

Thresh. The threshing segment of a combine uses the rubbing action between the threshing lobes or rasp bars and the surface of the concave to knock kernels from cobs, beans from pods and seeds from seed heads. The effectiveness of that rubbing action is proportional to the rotor/cylinder speed and the clearance between the threshing components and the surface of the concave. Too tight, and grain gets crushed. Too fast, and grain gets cracked. The optimum concave clearance and threshing speed for a particular crop at a specific moisture is in the owner’s manual.

Separate. The separating portion of a combine is a combination of the cleaning fan, upper sieve and lower sieve. The goal is to “float” the mat of grain and residue across the sieves on a cushion of air so the shaking motion of the sieves allows the grain to fall down through the residue.
“Some guys open up the top sieve and do all their cleaning with the lower sieve,” says Jeff Gray, product coordinator for Claas Lexion. “They think that keeps any grain from going out the back. The problem is that overloads the bottom sieve and the tailings return. The upper sieve should do the main separating. The lower sieve is for fine-tuning the sample.”

Manage residue. Stalk choppers on combines used to be secondary to threshing and separating grain. But Bt cornstalks and improved small grain genetics, combined with reduced or no-till practices, have turned residue management into a critical function.

“[In] what condition do you want to leave the residue, with your next pass in mind?” says Matt Badding, John Deere tactical marketing manager for harvest equipment. “If your next pass is next spring with a no-till planter, then the way you run and set your straw chopper is a big deal.

Machinery and Tech News: Tractor and Combine Sales Drop, Indigo Ag Creates Seed Box Delivery Device

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:30:14 GMT

AEM August 2024 Data: Overall Tractor Sales Down 19%, Combines Drop 20%

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers released its August 2024 U.S. Ag Tractor and Combine Sales Report.

All reported segments of 2WD tractors experienced a drop during the month. Surprisingly, below 40hp tractors had the largest decline at nearly 22% and the 2WD segment overall saw 20% less total sales in August 2024 compared to August 2023. Year-to-date sales for 2024 were down 13% as well.

Four-wheel drive tractor sales actually saw a slight uptick, climbing 5% compared to the same thirty-one day span last year.

Total farm tractor (both 2WD and 4WD machines) and self-propelled combine sales both experienced slightly over 19% decreases in sales last month.

Year-to-date, three segments (2WD and total farm tractors, combines) are currently down double digits. The only segment that saw a small boost year-to-date is 4wd tractors at just over 5%.

Kubota Acquires Specialty Crop Robotics Firm

Kubota North America has acquired Bloomfield Robotics, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based technology startup.

Bloomfield provides a service that monitors the health and performance of specialty crops, one plant at a time, using advanced imaging and artificial intelligence (AI).

Bloomfield’s cameras provide the foundation for its Software as a Service (SaaS) that provides plant-level health and performance assessments for growers of grapes (e.g., wine, table, and juice), blueberries, and other specialty crops. The purpose-built cameras are mounted on tractors and other farm vehicles common to capture detailed plant-level, geo-located images of the entire farm. These images are then translated into crop data.

According to a press release issued by the company, the specialty crop market overall has become a focal point of Kubota’s strategic attention and efforts to shape the future of agriculture.

Fresh Bios: Indigo Ag Launches ‘Clips’ Delivery Device

Indigo Ag has released details on its new CLIPS device, which the company describes as an automatic, hands-free dry powder application system for bulk seed box containers.

Indigo says the small device, which is attached to the side of a bulk seed box container up to 24 months before it is expected to be used, automatically releases Indigo Ag biological products formulated as a dry powder when seed is released during planting.

Learn more at IndigoAg.com/CLIPS

Reinke Manufacturing Invests $12 Million in Factory Robotics

Reinke announced a $12 million investment in the modernization and automation of its manufacturing facilities to produce irrigation systems.

The irrigation tech manufacturer says its latest investment includes implementing advanced robotic technologies and expansion projects to increase production capacity and efficiency at its Deshler facility. The robotic advancements will reportedly streamline Reinke’s production process, reducing production time for many of the parts used in its center pivot irrigation systems.

Reinke says the project is estimated to be completed by the 2025 growing season.

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New Products: AGCO, Bayer, Case IH, Firestone Ag, Great Plains, New Holland, PTx Trimble and Solinftec

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:30:07 GMT

AGCO Launches Fendt 600 Vario Tractor, Massey Ferguson 9S Series Tractor, Gleaner T Series Combines

Fendt’s 600 Vario Tractor series is available now for order in North America and features four models (614 Vario, 616 Vario, 618 Vario and 620 Vario) ranging from 149 to 209 rated-engine hp. The tractors are powered by the all-new AGCO Power CORE50 4-cylinder, 5-liter engine.

The Massey Ferguson 9S Series tractor is also available now in North America. The machine features a duo 8.4-liter AGCO Power engine, Dyna-VT transmission and Massey Ferguson’s Protect-U cab design. AGCO says operators have experienced up to a 15% reduction in fuel consumption with the 9S Series.

The Gleaner® T Series combines are available in 322-430 horsepower configurations (depending on model) and feature 4 bushel per second unloading rates as well as improvements in control and comfort, AGCO says. Its Dura Drive feature reportedly improves performance and productivity by allowing faster harvesting speeds of up to 25 mph.

Learn more from AGCO here.

Bayer FieldView Drive 2.0 Available Now

Bayer has unveiled FieldView Drive 2.0, a small plug-and-play device that farmers can use to connect, monitor and record activities across different farm equipment types and brands.

The multinational crop protection company says FieldView Drive 2.0 provides more processing power, data storage, and in-field connection stability than its previous iteration.

Bayer says hundreds of farmers have field tested the device and it will begin shipping the new hardware in the U.S. starting early next year.

Learn more about FieldView Drive 2.0 here.

Case IH Announces New Tech Solutions, Equipment Innovations

Case IH is launching a wide range of farm equipment and technology solutions that pair precision technology and equipment to make operations easier, more efficient and more productive, the company says in a recent press release.

Among the new introductions and releases:

The all-new FieldOps mobile and web application, which it says redefines the way farmers connect, view and manage operations. Expanded API integrations allow farmers to connect with third party providers and manage mixed fleets.
Connectivity Included eliminates subscriptions on new qualifying equipment (various machines) while precision technology packages simplify the technology purchase experience.
New AF9 and AF10 (pictured above) combines, which Case IH says are both redesigned from the ground up to maximize capacity and crop flow with efficient horsepower and simplified maintenance. The single-rotor AF9 (634 hp) and AF10 (775 hp) complete the new AF series, which launched earlier in 2024 with the AF1. The AF series offers a full suite of precision technology, as well.
A new C500 corn head series, which pairs with the AF and 260 series combines.
For Model Year 2025, Soil Command will be factory-fitted on select sizes of the Case IH Speed-Tiller 475 high-speed disk and VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool and will work on any ISO-compatible tractor.
Case IH Active Implement Guidance is available now and gives farmers access to an easy-to-use, plug-and-play system to correct implement drift while navigating planting, tillage and side-dressing.
Model Year 2025 Puma series tractors, for 185 to 260 models, have been upgraded to provide flexibility to manage row crop and livestock tasks on diversified farms.
New Model Year 2025 Steiger Series Tractors that Case IH says elevate the operator’s experience all around with powerful tools like Connectivity Included and farmer-centric functionality.
Case IH is expanding the Early Riser 2000 series planter lineup to bring more accuracy, customization and productivity to operations utilizing 20" and 22" row spacings with the new Early Riser 2160 48-row configurations.
For Model Year 2025, the Patriot 50 series sprayer and the Trident 5550 combination applicator include a new all-aluminum boom with factory-installed Boom Recirculation, increasing efficiency and chemical use.
For Model Year 2025, the Trident 5550 combination applicator also includes a new Dry Hi-Flow option, boosting product output and hydraulic flow.

More information on Case IH products and services can be found online at https://www.caseih.com

Firestone Ag Announces Bridgestone Availability In North America

Firestone Ag is bringing its Bridgestone tractor tires to U.S. and Canadian farmers, according to a press release from the company.

All three ag tires in the Bridgestone lineup feature triple-defense rubber engineered to resist wear, protect against stubble and enhance durability. Firestone’s patented Involute lug design is said to maximize traction and minimize soil disturbance and energy loss caused by tire slip, helping farmers reduce fuel costs.

In field trials, the Bridgestone VX-TRACTOR tire delivered 45% more wear life than a competitor, the company claims. Bridgestone tractor tires are backed by a 10-year limited warranty.

Contact your local Firestone Ag dealer or visit FirestoneAg.com to learn more.

Great Plains Ag Enhances Field Cultivators for High Speed Tillage

Great Plains Ag has enhanced its line of field cultivator implements with a new frame design, new shank system, and new finishing attachments.

The new CT8400 and CT8410 cultivators reportedly offer greater leveling, weed control, and residue management capabilities at faster operating speeds.

Available in 24' to 51' working widths, the new cultivators are offered with two hitch options:

The CT8400 features a constant-level hitch for operation on flat ground and open fields
The CT8410 is a floating hitch model for rougher terrain or fields with lots of variation.

Both implements are ready to order for the 2025 season.

Learn more about the CT8400/8410 Field Cultivators at www.GreatPlainsAg.com.

New Holland Announces CR10 Combine, Many New Innovations

New Holland Agriculture is launching the new CR10 combine (shown at top of article). The CR10 joins the previously launched CR11 and is set to maximize output, minimize grain loss and address operational economics in a platform that features the next generation of harvesting technology, the company says in a recent press release.

CR10 is powered by a 12.9-liter FPT Cursor 13 engine, delivering 635 horsepower. Paired with a 455-bushel grain tank with a grain unload rate of 4.5 bushels per second, the CR10 drives harvest efficiency.

Extended Twin Rotors provide threshing and separation performance, and the CR10 features a TwinClean cleaning shoe, which incorporates two sieve systems and automation sensors that continuously monitor and adjust for even material distribution and grain loss.

The CR10 is also compatible with a range of existing and new headers and features a redesigned operator cab.

CR10 will be available for 2025 harvest.

The manufacturer also announced the following developments:

A new FieldOps mobile app is now available for download. New Holland says it is a versatile farm management tool with over 40 API connections. Customers can use the app to view and monitor connected machines, and existing MyPLM Connect users can transition to FieldOps and their data will be there when they log in.
“Connectivity Included” grants customers limitless connectiviy with no recurring subscription fees on new connected machines built on or after October 1, 2024.
Connectivity Included is one key aspect of New Holland’s new Technology Packages, which the manufacturer hopes will make access to precision technology easier for farmers. Now available in select markets, packages come in three options on qualifying machines: Value, Core and Advanced.
Active Implement Guidance is a new plug-and-play aftermarket solution designed to be installed and link up guidance lines between the tractor and the implement. Use of this solution greatly reduces or stops implement drift, resulting in more reliable product placement, according to the company.
Model year 2025 New Holland FR Forage Cruiser self-propelled forage harvesters are receiving multiple upgrades. This includes an enhanced cab interior with new controls and electronics, a new system to reduce the risk of machine overload and blockage, and the CustomSteer system, which New Holland says speeds up headland turns. The new FR Forage Cruisers are available to order for availability in 2025.
New Holland has extended the Power Command full powershift transmission as an option for the T7.270 Long Wheelbase (LWB) tractor. New to the tractor are 60-inch tire settings, a quick-hitch frame, and PLM Intelligence solutions and digital technologies. Order writing for the T7 LWB is available now with deliveries starting in October 2024.
Several features aimed to increase operator productivity have been added to the new TH Series telehandlers. These include a redesigned operator cab, distinct operating modes such as Forklift mode, Loading mode, Transport mode, and Active Bucket Shake. Under the hood is a Stage V-compliant 4.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine built by FPT Industrial.

To learn more about New Holland’s new digital technology solutions and Iron releases, visit www.newholland.com.

PTx Trimble Introduces Autonomous Retrofit Grain Cart For Mixed Fleets

PTx Trimble is ready to introduce OutRun, its first commercially available autonomous retrofit grain cart solution.

Farm Journal viewed OutRun back in June at AGCO’s Tech Days event in Salina, Kansas. You can read more about that here.

OutRun is a self-contained retrofit kit that enables autonomous grain cart operation on John Deere 8R or 8000R tractors with IVT. The grain cart can be staged or be called for unloading without the need for another driver. The combine operator can also send the grain cart to a predefined truck unload zone for manual unload.

OutRun will be available for production release in 2025. The company is accepting beta customers in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri for 2024.

For more information, visit outrun.ag.

Robotic Sprayer Adds Docking And Filling Station

Solinftec has announced its newest development in the field of agricultural robotics: the autonomous docking station. The filling station will allow Solix Ag Robotics to operate 100% autonomously throughout the season, without the need for a manual refill.

The docking station is autonomous, solar-powered and integrated with the Solix platform, enabling continuous field management by ensuring the robot has unfettered access to products for 24/7 operations. The station incorporates scouting data obtained throughout the growing season to ensure the right products are available for day-to-day executions.

Solinftec is validating final features and concepts as the docking station nears production.

Learn more about Solinftec here.

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Machinery And Tech News: More John Deere Layoffs, DJI Details Global Ag Drone Usage

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:29:18 GMT

John Deere Layoffs March On, Waterloo Works Hit

WQAD-8 ABC in Moline, Ill., is reporting that 345 more layoffs have hit John Deere’s manufacturing operation in Waterloo, Iowa.

The equipment company has now dismissed over a thousand workers from its plants and offices around the Midwest.

Over 500 employees in total at the Waterloo plant, which normally employs north of 3,000 production workers, have been given walking papers. An additional seven employees in a Coffeyville, Kan., facility will also be dismissed as of August 9, according to WQAD.

Deere told WQAD the changes are due to reduced demand for the products made at the Waterloo and Coffeyville facilities.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) June 2024 U.S. combine and tractor sales metrics show both segments down considerably compared to June 2023. Deere assembles many of its combines at the Waterloo facility.

John Deere says the dismissed employees are eligible for recall and severance packages.

This latest round of layoffs comes fresh on the heels of mounting online criticism levied at the equipment manufacturer after a conservative film maker named Robby Starbuck published a vlog on X taking issue with Deere’s internal Diversity and Equity Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Starbuck said he will release additional information on DEI programs at Deere in the coming weeks.

John Deere, through its public relations firm of record, Bader Rutter, declined comment to Farm Journal at this time.

DJI White Paper Shows 300K Ag Drones Reducing Global Chemical Usage By 47K Metric Tons

Global drone industry statistics for 2023-2024 by DJI.

(DJI)

Despite staring down a potential ban in the world’s largest drone market - the U.S. - DJI says its drones are making a big impact in global agriculture.

The world’s largest drone company recently shared its 2023-2024 Agricultural Drone Industry Insight Report white paper.

Among the insights shared in the report:

DJI says by the end of 2023 over 300,000 agricultural drones were in use globally, spanning more than 100 countries and regions.
As of June 2024, drones have been used to treat over 1.2 billion acres of farmland (500 million hectares) globally, with 6,000 instructors and 300,000 pilots trained to operate them.

The white paper includes several interesting case studies detailing how spray drones are being used in various cropping systems around the planet.

Head here to check out the full 35-page report. Skip ahead to page 25 of the PDF to read DJI’s report “Agricultural Drones Operating In The Middle And Late Stages Of Corn Production.”

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