Precision Agriculture

Exclusive: In the Eye of the Cycle, John Deere Charts a Path Through Ag’s Slump

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:25:38 GMT

After months of workforce reductions and sliding equipment sales, John Deere is reversing course, announcing it will bring 140 employees back to its Waterloo, Iowa, operations as demand ticks higher for its 8R and 9R tractors.

The recall comes even as Deere forecasts the North American ag equipment market will decline another 15% to 20% in 2026, underscoring the push-and-pull shaping today’s farm economy. Large equipment sales remain under pressure from lower commodity prices and tighter margins, yet pockets of global demand are forcing Deere to recalibrate production in real time.

In an exclusive interview with Farm Journal this week, Deere & Company President Deanna Kovar laid out how the company is navigating that tension: tightening its long-standing build-for-retail manufacturing model, adjusting output month to month and working to protect farmers’ equipment equity during a downturn.

At the same time, Deere is attacking costs where it can, reducing prices on 187,000 parts over the past two years and preparing to roll out a new lower-priced tier of replacement parts later this summer. The company is also testing a tractor powered by E-98 ethanol, technology that could eventually eliminate the need for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) altogether while driving even more demand for the crops farmers already grow.

For Kovar, who grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm before spending 26 years rising through Deere’s ranks, the stakes are personal. Now, just months into her role leading Deere’s Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division, she is steering the company through one of the sharpest equipment pullbacks in recent memory, while positioning it for what comes next.

A Cyclical Business in a Prolonged Downturn

The ag equipment cycle has clearly turned. Industry data show steep drops in large equipment sales, and Deere’s internal outlook aligns with the broader trend.

“Deere is 188 years old, so we know we’re part of a cyclical business of ag equipment, but definitely we’re seeing similar numbers. Our expectations that we shared in our last quarterly earnings was that the North American equipment market would be down 15% to 20% again in 2026. We recognize the ag economy is in a tough spot at the moment, and we’re working hard to make sure we can help farmers become more productive and more profitable through using our equipment and technology solutions, but it’s tough out there.”

She says the Association of Equipment Manufacturers figures for 2025, which show sales of 4WD tractors fell nearly 42% and combine sales are down 36%, align with what Deere is seeing.

The significant slump in sales doesn’t come as a surprise to row crop farmers who’ve seen several consecutive years of declining net farm income following a record high in 2022. USDA’s first official forecast for 2026 suggests continued pressure and another year of declining net farm income, with not much relief on input prices and stagnant commodity prices. Kovar says Deere understands the financial strains producers are seeing.

“Overall, the outlook for 2026 is that farmers are going to continue to be under pressure from a commodity price standpoint,” she says. “We’re certainly seeing input costs somewhat flatten for producers, and, of course, many producers are grateful for the government payments that will help them start 2026 maybe in a better place than they would have without it. Certainly great yields last fall were a good positive thing for producers, but it’s still putting a lot of pressure on commodity prices today.”

For Deere, that pressure translates directly into lower equipment demand and tough decisions inside its factories.

Manufacturing Adjustments: Building for Retail in Real Time

Over the past year, Deere announced workforce reductions across multiple Midwestern facilities. Since 2024, it’s reported John Deere laid off over 2,000 employees in the U.S., with those jobs primarily located in Iowa and Illinois. Recently, it reversed course in a couple locations, announcing it would bring some of those employees back.

Back in January, Deere also announced it was returning 99 workers to the job in Iowa, impacting both its Davenport Works and Dubuque facilities. But Deere said this week it’s also bringing back jobs at its Waterloo facility.

“We’re constantly evaluating what we think the market will be. And it’s not an annual thing. It’s a month to month, a quarter-to-quarter opportunity. And yes, we just announced 140 workers to come back to our Waterloo operations. This is the operations where we make the drive trains for 8R tractors, where we pour the castings for the new high horsepower 9R tractors, where engines are made, and where we put tractors final assembly together. So we’re always happy when we can bring workers back into our factory. And it’s because we’re starting to see a little tick up in demand for those tractors,” she says.

Kovar says it’s not necessarily just a North American phenomenon. The uptick in demand is coming globally.

“We are seeing some signs that there could be some opportunities, but much of this is going to be iterative over time. It won’t be from a very low point to a very high point. We expect over time that we can start to see things normal,” she adds.

Kovar emphasizes Deere’s long-standing “build-for-retail” philosophy, avoiding overproduction that would flood dealer lots and depress used values.

“We’ve been in business for 188 years, so we’re always making sure that we’re being as efficient and effective as we can at building the quality products that farmers come to rely on. So we’re all always adjusting how we manufacture, how we make sure we have the quality checks and the automation to make sure we’re making every tractor as good as we can,” says Kovar.

She says the company is also working to forecast demand expectations and where that additional demand could surface. But she says for the past 25 years, the company has been focused on a build-to-order mentality, especially in the larger ag equipment space.

“We are a build for retail mentality,” says Kovar. “We don’t want to build it unless somebody wants it. So this has been something we’ve been working on for 20 years, and we will continue to be focused on really understanding the demand in the market and making sure we’re setting up schedules and plans to build for that amount.”

Equipment Prices: It’s About the Trade Differential

Few issues generate more coffee-shop debate than equipment prices. Farmers have seen machinery values dramatically climb over the past five years. Kovar points out that looking at sticker price alone misses the bigger financial picture.

“We’re always looking at making sure we’re delivering value for farmers when they buy our equipment, when they buy our technology,” Kovar says. “When we think about the price of equipment it’s really important we understand that farmers, when they buy a new piece of equipment, it’s really about the trade differential from the product they’re trading in to the one they’re buying, and if we were to lower the price of equipment, it would lower the trade-in value of their used equipment as well. We’re always very mindful of the equity farmers have in their equipment fleet and the fact it’s a huge part of their balance sheet.”

Not only does Deere need to be careful that changes don’t impact the trade differential, but she says the company is also focused on making sure there’s a balance between products being affordable and creating the value farmers expect.

That balance, of affordability versus protecting used values, according to Kovar, shapes Deere’s pricing philosophy in a down cycle.

Lowering the Cost of Technology and Parts

While base machine pricing remains complex, Deere is targeting affordability in other ways. The first, she says, is on the technology side, and lowering the upfront cost.

“We’re lowering the barrier to entry to amazing technologies like ExactShot fertilizer systems, See & Spray sprayer systems and a combine automation system so that more farmers can afford to get into the technology. These technologies are saving inputs, ensuring we’re getting all of the grain out of the field and increasing yields. That strategy to lower the upfront cost of those technologies, and help the customer pay for it as they get the value from it, is a huge step forward in allowing affordability of the technology.”

On repairs and parts, she points to self-service tools and direct price reductions. She says the company is constantly looking at the cost of parts for their equipment.

“Over the last two years, we’ve reduced the price on over 187,000 part numbers in the John Deere system. Later this summer, we’re going to be announcing a new tier of parts from John Deare that will allow us to give customers choice when they buy parts from us as to whether they want the traditional OEM, that likely has a longer life, or if they want to look at a lower cost option,” Kovar says.

Deciding between the two parts tiers depends on:

How much a farmer uses the machine
Equipment age
How long a farmer intends to keep that piece of equipment

Retrofit Kits: Precision Without the New Iron Price Tag

As new equipment sales slow and more farmers turn to the used market, Deere sees retrofit technology as a critical bridge, allowing producers to upgrade performance without taking on the cost of a brand-new machine.

Kovar says retrofit kits are designed to separate technology adoption from iron replacement.

“I think the beauty of retrofit kits is you don’t have to buy a brand new piece of equipment to get brand new technologies. Just last year we launched what we call our precision ag essentials kit, which is the foundation of our technology stack. It’s where farmers start to go from no precision to a more precision mentality, and this ability allows them to put a John Deere GPS receiver, a display and a modem on any piece of equipment, Deere or non Deere,” Kovar says.

The strategy fits squarely into Deere’s broader push to lower the barrier to entry for precision ag. By allowing a GPS receiver, display and modem to be installed on any brand of older equipment, the company is effectively expanding the addressable market for advanced automation and data tools.

“We’re seeing people put these kits on 20-year-old tractors and then being able to do things like AutoTrac, AutoPath and turn automation, section control, the things that can save 10% of inputs and make sure your stand is better in the spring and your weeds are deader during the season,” Kovar says. “This is a huge opportunity for every farmer to get more into precision. Once you get into that base of the technology stack, the sky’s the limit to be able to go to other products like ExactEmerge or See and Spray — these technologies that really drive savings to the bottom line for farmers.”

In a downturn defined by lower commodity prices and cautious equipment purchases, Deere is betting the future of precision ag won’t be limited to the newest machines on the lot, but will increasingly ride on tractors that have already been in the field for decades.

Right to Repair, EPA and DEF: Seeking Clarity

Right-to-repair and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) rules have been flash points between manufacturers and producers with two major announcements from EPA.

In early February 2026, EPA made a right-to-repair guidance announcement guidance and actions supporting the right to repair for farmers and equipment owners, specifically addressing issues with Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems and emission controls. The guidance clarifies the Clean Air Act allows for temporary overrides of emission systems during repairs, prohibits manufacturers from restricting access to tools or software, and enables repairs in the field.

The following day, EPA announced the agency is demanding detailed failure data from major diesel engine manufacturers as it considers additional rules aimed at reducing DEF-related shutdowns and derates that have plagued farmers, truckers and equipment operators for years.

“I think if you step back and think about what EPA’s done over about the last nine months, there’s been two important messages. One was last summer when they gave voluntary guidance that said we should extend the time from when a customer might have an issue with their DEF systems and not cause them to go into an inducement or a derate within two hours, which was the original rule. We’re very glad EPA has come out and said we can extend that time to give farmers more time to maybe finish the field, finish the day before they have to execute a derate or go through a regen on their DEF,” Kovar says.

She calls it a huge opportunity for Deere and one to which the company is already responding.

“We’re in the process of making sure we can extent that time on all the equipment we’re producing. We’ll do that over the coming months and years to help make sure we’re extending that time and not putting people in jeopardy of having a shutdown opportunity,” Kovar says.

On off-road right-to-repair clarity, Kovar says EPA’s right-to-repair guidance announced in February directly responds to a formal request the company made to the agency in June 2025 .

“[EPS] had already shared that on-road equipment didn’t have to go to the original equipment manufacturer or an authorized repair shop to turn your tractor or your truck back on after you had a deratement issue. We said, ‘Hey, we have tools that a farmer can do this on their own, but the way we read your rules, we believe we need you to tell us it’s OK.’ We’re grateful that last week EPA came out and said, yes, it is OK for off-road equipment for farmers to fix their own issues. We’re in the process of making sure John Deere Operations Center ProService, which is our self-repair tool any farmer can access, by early March, mid-March, we want to have the ability for a farmer to, if they run into a deratement issue on their tractor or combine or whatever, use Operation Center Pro Service to get their tractors back up.”

If DEF Goes Away, It’s Not a Quick Switch

With political discussions swirling around eliminating certain environmental regulations, and President Trump specifically stating he wants to see those regulations removed on equipment , some farmers wonder whether equipment could quickly be built without DEF systems.

When Trump was in a roundtable with farmers in December, he claimed removing those requirements on equipment would prevent breakdowns and make equipment cheaper. During the one-on-one interview with Kovar, Farm Journal asked if removing DEF on equipment would bring down prices.

“We have to really understand what they mean and how they want to go about it before we can really answer, does it make equipment cheaper? I think we’ve spent 15 years perfecting the system we have today, so we’ll have to continue to understand how far back do we think we’re going to go, how long would it take us, because we don’t have all of the technologies that don’t have DEF today,” Kovar explains. “If it were called tomorrow, we couldn’t start building tractors without it the next day.”

Removing DEF is not as simple as flipping a switch on the assembly line. Instead, she says Deere is focused on making sure farmers have the ability to repair their own equipment if it would go into derate. She thinks that’s a huge step forward in solving some of the issues that farmers have had with DEF.

Deere Tests an E-98 Ethanol Tractor

Even as debate continues in Washington over DEF requirements, Deere is exploring a future that could bypass the issue entirely.

While the company says it remains engaged with EPA on next steps surrounding DEF and emissions policy, Deere is also investing in an alternative fuel platform, an ethanol-powered tractor designed to run on E-98. The tractor will debut at Commodity Classic in two weeks.

“We’re not just thinking also about diesel, right, we also considering how might we fix this problem another way. And that’s an ethanol tractor we’ve been using across Iowa and other places. It’s early for us, but the idea that we could use E-98 to run a tractor, it’s so clean you don’t need diesel exhaust fluid to run it. We’re early in trying to pioneer what is an alternative to diesel that would allow a farmer to grow the fuel they put in their tractor to grow next year’s crop. It’s something we think we need to continue to talk about. There is a ton of infrastructure that would need to follow to allow an E-98-type fuel to flow and be on farm, but we think it’s an opportunity in the long run to help agriculture grow the fuel they use to grow the food we all eat.”

Deere confirms the early results are promising.

According to Deere, the limiting factor isn’t the engine technology itself, it’s the infrastructure needed to support it.

“Do we have the fuels available? Do we have the on-farm ability? Are the fuel companies ready to deliver it to the farm? At this point, there is a much bigger system challenge that will have to work,” Kovar says.

Advocating for Demand: Ethanol, Exports and E-15

Turning the ag economy around, in Kovar’s view, is about demand, both domestic and global. Not only is Deere working on equipment that could run with higher blends of ethanol, but Deere is also advocating for more demand.

“Certainly, we’re focused on helping farmers grow more with less. At the same time, we’re focused on helping to make sure there are markets for the crops our producers sell. We certainly spend a lot of time advocating for agriculture and for producers to have access to markets. We’re grateful for all of the trade deals that have happened here recently. We’re hopeful they start to materialize, and we see more and more grains flowing outside of the U.S. in exports. We also know we’ve got a huge opportunity here in the U.S. to drive ethanol and renewable fuels,” Kovar says. “We’re focused on making sure we’re using our voice at Deere to advocate for agriculture to not only feed the world, but fuel it. It starts with E-15, which we are hopeful we can get across the finish line at some point very soon. But it can’t end there. We have to continue to advocate for renewable diesels and an ethanol future, so we have to make sure farmers can sell their grains at a price that’s profitable, and it’s all about creating demand.”

The Next Five Years: From Data Collection to Real-Time Decisions

For Deere, which sees itself as a technology company, Kovar says she also sees Deere as a smart industrial company. With a focus on technology, she thinks the future isn’t about a single breakthrough machine, but rather about what happens behind the scenes in the data.

When asked what the biggest shift will be over the next five years, Kovar points to the evolution of information rooted in data.

“I think if you look back over those 25 years of technology, data has been such an important part of it. It started with yield maps, yield monitoring and binders on a shelf and has evolved over time to a cloud-based system. Everything’s connected. With Deere, it’s about John Deere Operation Center and how farmers can leverage that data, share it with partners, with their seed dealer, with their ag retailer, with the banker and with their landlords and have this really cohesive opportunity to bring all of the data they have in agriculture into one place,” Kovar says.

Personally, she sees the next step involving Deere helping farmers move beyond timely insights to timely decision-making.

“How do we help [farmers] get insights, timely information, that helps them make the best decision they can make in that moment on their unique piece of land in the middle of wherever they are farming and really give them confidence the data can help them drive to even better decisions,” she adds. “If we’re going to help them be more productive and be more profitable, it really starts with all the decisions they make. I think this next three to five years is a huge opportunity for us to make sure we are connecting all of their data in one place and helping them make really important decisions in real time that help them become more.”

Instead of one sweeping, industry-altering change, Kovar sees steady gains driven by machine learning, automation and in-the-moment decision-making, sometimes by the operator and sometimes by the equipment itself.

“I think that’s a huge part of the next three to five years, and those decisions happen because they’ve consciously made them or the machines are making them. If you think about See and Spray, it is deciding whether that’s a weed or a plant and only spraying the weed to save 50% to 60% of the herbicides,” Kovar says. “Those kind of in-the-moment decisions are a huge opportunity over the next 3 to 5 years as computer vision and machine learning compute and all of these things continue to accelerate at a pace that is very hard to keep up with.”

For Deere, the future isn’t just bigger iron or even more automation, it’s about connecting every data point on the farm and turning it into actionable insight, fast enough to matter in the field.

Watch the full interview here:

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

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:48:45 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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Less Work, Better Bales: John Deere Intros Weave Automation

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:49:48 GMT

John Deere has launched weave automation for select round balers, according to a press release issued by the company.

Deere says this new feature helps streamline the baling process. The operator simply places the windrow between the front tires of the tractor and lets the baler do the work.

Today, round balers have gate and speed automation, which automates stopping the tractor when the bale is full sized - wrapping and ejecting the bale. The addition of weave automation allows less reliance on the operator skill to make a uniformed bale.

“Weave automation allows the baler to align with the tractor’s movements to effectively cover windrows of varying shapes and sizes,” said Kaylene Ballesteros, John Deere go-to-market manager for hay & forage equipment.

A New Process
The weaving hitch system allows a +38-degree swing from left to right, allowing for enhanced feed system and bale feeding capabilities. Not only does the automation streamline operation, it also enhances feed quality by minimizing contamination of debris introduced by driving over windrows.

Deere also says the added maneuverability of the baler allows the machine to position bales in a way that reduces the risk of rolling on uneven terrain or hillsides, increasing operator safety, productivity and efficiency.

To learn more about the John Deere Round Baler weave automation, stop by John Deere Booth 2025 at NCBA’s CattleCon, contact your local John Deere dealer or visit deere.com.

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John Deere Adds Versatile Midsize 6M Tractor to Model Year 2025 Machines

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:42:20 GMT

John Deere is launching a new 6M tractor to add to its Model Year 2025 class of machines , according to the company.

With 18 different models, engine options with 95 to 250 horsepower and five frame size options, the 6M tractor can be customized to fit the needs of farms and ranches. Deere says the 6M tractor is also fuel-efficient and easy to operate.

“The new 6M tractor is bigger, smarter, faster and more efficient and customizable, making it the go-to tractor for many farms, including dairy and beef operations,” said Dennis Ogle, marketing manager for the John Deere midsize tractor line.

Standards Remain

The 6M tractor provides numerous ways to configure yet still has the standard features that can make it the workhorse of any farm or ranch.

The new tractor features traditional mechanical transmission options or easy-to-use infinitely variable transmission options. The shortest wheelbase with sloped hood remains, providing excellent visibility and maneuverability. All 6M cabs also offer a full view around the tractor, making loader work, mowing and baling easier to complete.

In addition, the 6M still has the high front or rear hitch lift capacity that is important for various jobs.

“We know farmers and ranchers love simple and reliable tractors to get the important jobs done,” Ogle said. “The 6M delivers with a proven history along with more valuable options to cater to each owner’s needs.”

Options Abound

The Model Year 2025 6M tractor can be customized to provide farmers the opportunity to have large tractor features on a midsized machine.

With five frame sizes and 18 models, farmers can work with their John Deere dealer to build the tractor that’s right for their farm.

Configurations and options include:

Horsepower and chassis: 18 models with five chassis options and horsepower ranging from 95 to 250 hp.
Intelligent Power Management: Up to 20hp above a model’s rated horsepower in transport and nonstationary PTO applications. This allows the operator to conquer hills when transporting, thick windrows when baling, and more.
Dual-tire configurations: Rear bar axles and dual-tire configurations are now available for ease of wheel spacing or when needing more flotation and traction.
Infinitely variable transmission: Transmission option available across all models that allows for stepless driving.
Higher speed with 50K transmission: Available across the full portfolio of 6M tractors, this feature helps transport speeds, leading to increased efficiency.
Cab package options: New options available to increase operator comfort to improve productivity.
Scalable precision ag technology: More precision ag available on demand with updated cornerpost display and integrated connectivity.

“Whether you are putting up hay, moving bales, feeding, mowing roadsides, removing snow or any number of other tasks, the 6M is the workhorse that can help complete the job,” Ogle said.

To learn more about the John Deere 6M tractor, visit JohnDeere.com or contact your local John Deere dealer.

Space Weather: Start Planning Today for Tomorrow’s GPS Outage

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:22:35 GMT

Farm Journal’s Smart Farming Week is an annual week-long emphasis on innovation in agriculture. The goal is to encourage you to explore and prioritize the technology, tools and practices that will help you farm smarter. Innovation today ensures an efficient, productive and sustainable tomorrow.

It’s a simple question, but one that Dr. Terri Griffin, Kansas State University, suspects many farmers would have a hard time answering “Yes” to: Can you plant or harvest a crop without GPS?

Instances of space weather , or solar flare events, can and often do cause GPS failures. Griffin says a lot of important, powerful and smart people in world government are concerned about these events becoming more commonplace.

Looking at the production cycle specifically, such an event occurring in January is probably not a big deal to farmers as the vast majority aren’t planting or harvesting during that time. But, if one of these “atmospheric scintillations” were to occur during the busy spring planting or fall harvest season?

“With today’s connected equipment you can’t plant without GPS lock, which requires getting connection with a minimum of four satellites, the seeds won’t drop,” he says. “So, the question becomes, do we wait it out? Or do we keep an old 6-row ‘dumb planter’ with row markers for just these instances?”

Griffin has been monitoring the situation from his Kansas State University lab in Manhattan for some time now. He says this summer’s Northern Lights event over North America was a geomagnetic storm that did have a temporary negative effect on GPS signals.

Not to mention, there are warnings abound from government agencies that predict such things (NOAA, NASA, etc.) that the world should expect a widespread outage at some point during Solar Cycle 25 – which is the cycle we’re in currently.

“We are approaching solar max in the next six months to a year,” Griffin says. “I am fully expecting to have GPS blackouts at some point soon at this latitude. Think about how we use GPS – the airline industry, for one, is paying a lot of attention to this, as they should be.”

Farmers could conceivably manage a widespread GPS outage by investing in a local RTK network. Griffin says RTK is great in that it is a set, earthly signal, and you can basically create your own local positioning system with three or more ground stations. It is an expensive backup plan, though, he admits.

Griffin has three recommendations for farmers in the field when a previously robust GPS signal proves suddenly suspect:

1.) Don’t panic. Instead, wait it out and be patient. Most GPS outages are only temporary. Griffin says an R2 intensity event in space would result in just a one-hour outage, but a more robust R4 would likely mean an entire week without GPS. “That could get really tough if you’re in the middle of planting or harvesting,” he admits, adding that many sprayers also require GPS connection.

2.) Don’t blame your equipment dealer. It’s likely not their fault, and they might not even be aware there is a regional outage. Instead, give your sales rep a quick call or text to see if there is an outage within their systems.

3.) Check NOAA’s Planetary K Index. You can even sign up for email alerts to let you know if you’re in the midst of one of these space weather induced outages.

“Can you legislate (against) sunspots,” Griffin adds. “I mean, someone will try to, but that’s probably not possible. What will we do when these events occur?”

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New Holland Launches Autonomous Baling Technology And Mobile App, Marks 50 Years Of Baler Innovation With Brand Refresh

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 20:35:53 GMT

New Holland is steering toward autonomous baling with the introduction of IntelliSense Bale Automation.

A novel technology, IntelliSense Bale Automation reportedly transforms the way customers and operators approach large square baling by delivering an automated solution for farmers.

The new system is compatible with Class 3 ISOBUS tractors — specifically, the T7 LWB, T7 HD and T8 from New Holland — and model year 2022 and model year 2023 New Holland BigBaler Large Square Balers.

Immediate integration is available now as a New Holland dealer-installed service. Starting in 2025, customers will have the opportunity to place orders for it as a factory-fit option.

“For large square baling operations, it’s an indispensable asset for their future by improving bale harvesting while helping them meet operational demands,” says Brad Littlefield, precision marketing manager, dairy and livestock segment for New Holland.

Lasering in on Windrows With Precision

(Farm Journal)

IntelliSense Bale Automation is an automated baling system that focuses on feedrate and swath guidance by combining two operator-assisted baling modes:

SmartSteer swath guidance acts as autosteering for automated navigation of the tractor and baler along the windrow.
IntelliCruise II controls tractor speed, responding to variation in material feedrate into the baler. The operator sets the number of slices per bale target and the maximum speed limit.

The cornerstone of IntelliSense Bale Automation is integrated LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensing technology, believed by New Holland to be the first application of its kind in ag. Installed on the front end of a tractor cab roof, it emits laser pulses to calculate distance based on reflections from the windrow.

The new system aims to increase four elements critical to operations and operators:

Increased baling productivity.
Improved bale quality.
Reduced fuel consumption.
Enhanced operator comfort.

“At the heart of our design is a commitment to putting operators first and creating technology that addresses their most important needs,” Littlefield says.

Rolling Through Time: 50 Years of New Holland Round Balers, Plus A New Mobile App

Beginning in 2024, New Holland is steering toward a unified brand image and global identity with the transition of its haytool styling to a striking yellow. The yellow transition begins with commercial haytools for late model year 2024, then unfolds in model year 2025 to include Pro-Belt round balers.

“This shift marks our dedication to pushing boundaries and providing farmers with tools to not only stand out in the field but also improve their efficiency and experience,” states Carlo Lambro, brand president of New Holland.

New Holland has also unveiled its latest innovation, the Bale Manager mobile app. This technology allows operators and customers to control and visualize baling data from their smart devices, including:

Store data.
Monitor baling activity.
Simplify accounts receivable.
Export data.
Search through completed jobs.

The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play platforms (with the necessary components readily accessible from a local New Holland dealer).

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its round balers, a year-long celebration is in store. To participate, New Holland round baler owners can submit their story and a photo of their baler online or by scanning a QR code at their local New Holland dealership for a chance to win a commemorative prize pack.

Please visit your local New Holland dealer to learn more about the Round Baler 50th Anniversary contests, prizes, and enhanced warranty offers for owners.

John Deere, SpaceX Announce Starlink Deal

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 19:08:32 GMT

Deere & Company announced an agreement with SpaceX to provide Starlink network satellite communications (SATCOM) service to farmers. Utilizing the Starlink network, this solution will allow farmers facing rural connectivity challenges to fully leverage precision agriculture technologies.

“The value of connectivity to farmers is broader than any single task or action. Connectivity unlocks vast opportunities that were previously limited or unavailable,” said Aaron Wetzel, VP of production and precision ag production systems.

The SATCOM solution will connect both new and existing machines through satellite internet service and ruggedized satellite terminals. This will enable autonomy, real-time data sharing, remote diagnostics, enhanced self-repair solutions, and machine-to-machine communication, all of which help farmers work more efficiently while minimizing downtime, according to John Deere.

“We are bringing satellite communications service to the farm at scale so farmers with cellular coverage challenges can maximize the value of connectivity to their operations,” said Jahmy Hindman, senior VP & CTO.

He adds that the SpaceX partnership “unlocks the John Deere tech stack so every farmer can fully utilize their current precision agriculture technology in addition to the new innovative solutions they will deploy in the future.”

But, by adding a third-party telematics solution into the data ecosystem, many online are wondering who controls the data (and access to it) as it passes through the Starlink system on its way to or from the Operations Center?

John Deere users with those concerns can rest assured that “we don’t anticipate any changes there, the customer still controls it,” said Mike Kool, senior product manager - connected fleets.

Kool also shared that John Deere has been working on its fleet connectivity project for the last 18-24 months. Starlink’s Leo constellation of low-orbit satelittes delivered the “high bandwidth and low latency” performance Deere was seeking.

“This solution fits our customer needs today and it also allows them to grow in the future,” said Kool. “The way I like to think about it is we’re giving our customers their time back, giving them more time to do the things they love to do. They have a very important job in feeding and clothing the world, and doing so on less arable land today. I believe wholeheartedly this will further unlock the power of our tech stack.”

Deere has yet to outline how the new Starlink features will be priced. Kool said those details are still in the works, so stay tuned.

To activate the Starlink solution, John Deere dealers will install a ruggedized Starlink terminal on compatible machines, along with a 4G LTE JDLink modem to connect the machine to the John Deere Operations Center.

The service will initially be available through a limited release in the United States and Brazil starting in the second half of 2024, according to the company.

WVU Student's Invention Helps Farmers Track Livestock

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:07:33 GMT

A tragic event triggered the idea for a new invention that could help farmers track wandering livestock.

It could also be the beginning of a business for Evan Dodrill, a junior at West Virginia University majoring in animal science.

It was still dark outside in the early morning of Oct. 9, 2013 when 21 cattle escaped from his family’s 500-acre Greenbrier County farm. He was away at college when the livestock traveled about three miles beyond the boundaries of High Hill Farm in Asbury.

“Nineteen head were hit and killed by two tractor-trailers on Interstate 64,” Dodrill said. “Two were caught on a neighbor’s property.”

While the drivers were not injured, one of vehicles was totaled and the other was heavily damaged, he said.

Dodrill started thinking about what could be done to prevent any such occurrence in the future.

The result was the invention of The Herdsman, a product that allows farmers to track livestock from remote locations and receive alerts if the animals go outside a set boundary.

Dodrill compares the device to a GPS. It would work through a mobile application on a smartphone or other device. A chip and small battery pack would be placed in an ear tag on the animal.

“Most farmers tag their cattle anyway,” he said.

The plan is now in the development stage with a software company.

His invention recently won the inaugural Vanguard Agriculture Competition sponsored by the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing. As winner, he will receive a business assistance package valued at more than $10,000. The package is to include product design and development, business incubator space, and other services. He received his award during a ceremony on Feb. 27 at the West Virginia Small Farm Conference at the Charleston Civic Center.

The West Virginia Vanguard Agriculture Competition honors innovation and ingenuity in agriculture, recognizing an entrepreneur whose idea had the greatest potential to solve logistical challenges in the local food supply chain.

The contest is part of RCBI’s agricultural innovation initiative, an effort to improve opportunities for West Virginia’s farming and agricultural economy. Funded by a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the initiative supports a local foods system by promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. The competition is also supported by Unlimited Future, Inc. and The Wild Ramp.

While the recent win will boost Dodrill’s efforts, he is also participating in other competitions to try to raise more funds and awareness for his endeavors for a business to be called Shady Ridge Enterprises.

“Agricultural technology is a huge untapped potential market,” he said.

He has ideas for additional products but is not yet ready to reveal details.

The Herdsman would benefit numerous farmers, he said.

“I did a survey of over 50 farmers and the results showed 65 percent lose livestock due to leaving the farm and breaching boundaries,” he said.

Dodrill is the sixth generation to work on the family farm.

“I go home every other weekend and work on the farm,” he said. “I’m three hours away. I am always looking for new livestock and investments. I stay involved and up to date. The farm is now run by my Dad, my uncles, and their wives.”

The farm now includes about 55 head of cattle, eight Boer goats, and three draft horses.

Dodrill, 20, is the son of Danny and Stella Dodrill and has one sister, 14-year-old Maddie.

He is excited to see what happens with his latest invention as well as technology to follow that will help farmers.