With increasing pressures such as labor shortages and tight operating windows, farmers are challenged to find ways to increase productivity to complete the work at hand. At John Deere, we work each day to help farmers be more efficient, productive and profitable. We have incorporated cutting-edge technology across the full span of John Deere equipment – from tillage to planting and application to harvest.

From Assisted to Autonomous

The next evolution of on-farm technology is now available to farmers via autonomous tillage. Autonomy is not a sudden leap – it’s built from technologies farmers already know and trust. Foundational precision ag technologies such as John Deere Operations Center™, AutoPath™ and AutoTrac™ Turn Automation have laid the groundwork for fully autonomous operations.

Backed by multiple years of customer testing, the autonomous tillage solution provides practical benefits to farmers. Test customers noted autonomy helped them hit their ideal operating window by extending their working day and providing better labor allocation across their operations.

In March, John Deere introduced the next-generation perception system – a suite of 16 cameras mounted to the roof of the tractor cab, offering a 360-degree view of both the tractor and tillage implement. Available as a precision upgrade, farmers can bring autonomy to model year 2022 and newer 9R and 9RX tractors, as well as 2020.5 and newer 8R and 8RX tractors. In addition, select model year 2025 tractors and tillage implements will come autonomy-ready straight from the factory. To support tillage tool integration, precision upgrade kits for select 2017 and newer tillage tools are available. These kits include additional lighting, a StarFire® receiver mast and new harnessing, making it easier to unlock autonomy in the field.

Technology From the Start

The latest planter technologies were developed to improve yield and profitability. An advantage of these cutting-edge technologies: they can be added as precision upgrades to an existing planter or be included on new planters. ExactEmerge™ helps maintain accurate seed placement at speeds up to 10 mph, helping farmers cover more ground each day. ExactShot™ technology helps save on input costs by applying nutrients directly on the seed where they are used more efficiently.

Cutting-Edge Application Technology

An innovation in application is See & Spray™ technology that sees, targets and kills in-season weeds. Available on model year 2018 and newer John Deere sprayers and model year 2025 and newer Hagie sprayers, See & Spray technology uses advanced cameras and machine learning that distinguishes crop from weeds and selectively target-sprays only the weeds. See & Spray helps save on nonresidual herbicide use; helps reduce water usage, crop stress and tender stops; and precisely manages weeds to improve cost efficiencies and boost profitability.

Technology incorporated into application equipment helps prevent crop damage and reduce operational stress. Available on model year 2022 and newer sprayers, spreaders and floaters, AutoTrac Turn Automation helps ensure consistent and accurate turns at the end of each pass by accurately steering the sprayer along a guidance line at the end of a field pass. AutoTrac Vision 2.0, a factory option on model year 2026 John Deere sprayers, helps provide consistent passes across the field with each application. This technology helps ensure sprayer wheels remain centered within each row, enabling sprayers to operate at faster spraying speeds while maintaining precise control, maximizing their efficiency by concentrating less on steering and more on the essential tasks at hand.

The Latest Harvest Technology

As growers look to optimize each season, John Deere includes cutting-edge technologies and increased automation on combines to help maximize harvest success. A technology leading that charge is Predictive Ground Speed Automation. Available on model year 2025 and model year 2026 machines, this innovation uses stereo cameras mounted to the combine cab to measure crop height and detect variability ahead of the cutter bar. When combined with satellite-derived yield prediction maps, the system allows combines to automatically adjust ground speed – helping operators increase harvest efficiency and reduce grain loss. Based on grower feedback, the system also recognizes terrain changes like waterways and terraces, adjusting the speed accordingly.

Full-Season Vision

The vision for progressive on-farm precision ag technologies isn’t just about new machines. Through precision upgrades, farmers can update existing machines with smarter systems from tillage through harvest. By combining automation with precision ag technology, John Deere is helping growers make better use of time, tackle labor challenges and prepare for a future where efficiency and flexibility help define success.