increase font size
John Deere's new concept autonomous tractor.
John Deere looks to be heading towards autonomous tractors.
We've seen lots of information lately about autonomous tractors, particularly from CNH Agriculture.
And though global entity John Deere has been a little slow off the mark, it put this right at a recent dealer event in Valencia Spain, showing attendees a new concept perhaps suggesting its direction.
Its cab-less tractor will have a rated electrical output of about 680hp with zero emissions. But there is so far no information on the exact specifications of the powertrain, although it was displayed with tractors and lacked any visible steering mechanisms.
The tractor contrasted with another concept, shown last year, which had a more conventional layout. It has a front-mounted cable drum and outrigger arm that carries 1000m of extension cable to deliver power to the all-electric 110kW power train.
The latest concept was shown with a conventional three-point linkage, carrying a semi-mounted disc cultivator and seeding unit.
With agriculture in New Zealand coming out of the doldrums over the last few months and the recent announcement of a 20% tax write-off for capital purchases, it likely that farmers will be spending on tractors.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting the most from each pass of the paddock.
John Deere has announced new automation and efficiency updates on its 2026 model combine harvesters that provide more capabilities and boost productivity by up to 20%.
Twelve months after its release, the all-new John Deere S7 combine harvester has been put through its paces across a range of grain-growing regions, so producers can see first-hand its potential productivity and efficiency benefits.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?
