25 Years of John Deere Automated Guidance: A Precision Ag Timeline
This year marks the 25th anniversary of John Deere moving into automated guidance.
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.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…