In a pioneering initiative and co-financed by deg/kfw, the german company SUNfarming has started the construction of the largest agri-solar plant in South Africa.
The plant will not only produce clean energy on an area of 30,000 m² but will also contribute to food production for the rural population in the region from potchefstroom to pretoria.
The innovative concept of the system allows a unique dual use of the area. While the photovoltaic modules convert solar energy into electricity, the same area is used for agriculture, which is protected from extreme weather conditions by the system.
This symbiosis creates numerous benefits for the local population.
Largest agri-solar plant in south Africa
A key aspect of the project is the creation of jobs and educational programs. Local workers are trained and employed for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the system.
This includes not only the installation of the solar systems, but also agricultural activities such as plant cultivation and management as well as harvesting and irrigation.
It also strengthens the regional economy and promotes expertise in renewable energies and sustainable agriculture.
The infrastructure of the project is already at an advanced stage. The Agri-PV tables have been erected, the semi-transparent SF PV modules are installed and the well for the water supply has been prepared.
The structural work for the fully equipped training facilities has already been started.
The water-saving irrigation system and the shading nets will be installed shortly after the local winter.
A core element of SUNfarming is the multiple use of land and resources. The agri-solar system not only provides a sustainable source of energy, but also protects the environment and supports local agriculture. Rainwater is used efficiently, which is particularly important in arid regions.
This pioneering project demonstrates how innovative technologies and sustainable practices can bring positive change to rural communities. SUNfarming and its partners are committed to a future where energy production and agriculture go hand in hand to meet the needs of people and the environment.
This Agri-PV training project, co-financed by DEG/KfW, will continue to be operated by the non-profit organization FEED LTD South Africa and FEED e.V. Germany after the end of the project period.
Primary agriculture contributes about 3% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and also provides about 7% of formal employment.
Key to the success of the agricultural sector is the countrywide network of cooperatives, which provide a collective platform to negotiate with buying, aggregating, marketing and pro-cessing services.
South Africa’s agricultural sector comprises well-developed commercial farming systems, cooperatives on large estates and subsistence production in rural areas.
There are about 32 000 commercial farmers that contribute 80% of the country’s agricultural value.
Significant footprint
Active in the agricultural lubricant market for over 70 years, both as an OEM for machine manufacturers and in workshop services, FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA has a significant footprint in both cooperatives and commercial farming.
Hayley Arnesen, Agricultural Segment lead and Durban Branch Manager, comments that FUCHS services this segment through a variety of channels, including a large national reseller network, cooperatives, or even directly, should the requirements of the farmer warrant it.
The FUCHS’ team invests significant resources to understand the specific needs of the market and determine optimal ways to fulfil these requirements. “This ensures we adapt constantly and deliver top-notch service tailored to the market’s demands,” notes Arnesen.
“We pay a lot of attention to our offers through the cooperatives as these are pivotal to link farmers to markets, provide essential services, and contribute to the overall growth of South Africa’s agricultural output.” She adds that, without such a thriving cooperative culture, many small-scale farmers would struggle to establish viable farming operations.
Proud exhibitor
Such is the importance of the sector that FUCHS will not only again be a proud exhibitor at SA Grain’s NAMPO Harvest Day 2024 from 14 to 17 May at Bothaville in the Free State, but it will also introduce its latest UTTO product in the form of AGRIFARM UTTO FLEX.
“Our stand in the prominent NAMPO Hall will be fun and interactive, and we invite existing and potential customers to visit us,” adds Arnesen. Technical experts will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice for specific issues.
Due to its seasonality, the agricultural industry requires specialised oils and lubricants. FUCHS has therefore formulated products to withstand the rigours of equipment operating extensively for three months and then standing idle for several consecutive months.
These include engine oils, multifunctional hydraulic and transmission oils, greases, and specialised coolants.
FUCHS’ AGRIFARM lubricants have proved successful under the most arduous conditions, ensuring the highest level of reliability for any agricultural fleet.
With a broad portfolio of specially developed lubricant solutions, the range ensures optimal all-round protection for machines and equipment.
Benefits include noticeably increased oil change intervals in engines and significantly fewer signs of wear.
The agricultural segment is highly diverse, encompassing activities from crop farming, forestry, aquaculture, and horticulture to livestock farming. The equipment employed in the sector is also constantly evolving, and often requires more specialised lubricants.
FUCHS has specific products and solutions for all applications, all tractor and farm machinery, food-grade and biodegradable products, lubricants for pivot irrigation systems, milking machines, conveyors, chainsaws, and more.
Steadily growing
The team at FUCHS not only specialises in lubricants but can also assist customers to simplify and rationalise the products they use and even to optimise and upgrade their workshops.
Arnesen adds that FUCHS is steadily growing in this segment. “We have a presence in every avenue of the sector, which means we are able to interact with the farmers in the way that best suits them to ensure we are able to meet their specific requirements. The FUCHS brand is well known in the industry, and our products have a reputation for quality and longevity.”
In addition, FUCHS’ excellent customer service ensures it engages with farmers directly. A technical expert can visit any farming operation and provide advice on how to optimise oil and lubricant use and ensure that only fit-for-purpose, OEM-approved products are used.
As the world’s population grows, so does the demand for poultry products, making efficient and sustainable broiler farming practices essential.
One key factor in optimizing broiler production is achieving target bird weights efficiently.
To address this challenge, the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as machine learning, deep learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), is ushering in a new era of precision feed management in the poultry industry.
In this article, we explore the significance of image visualization, machine learning, and IoT in predicting live bird body weight and how these technologies can lead to substantial cost savings for farmers.
Farm Input & Sustainability Dilemma
The poultry industry faces the challenge of meeting the increasing demand for poultry products sustainably.
Broiler farming has historically faced criticism related to one of the biggest use of corn as a main source of feed ingredient for live birds, as the corn field is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and habitat destruction.
Large-scale monoculture practices and the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides have raised concerns about biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruptions. Additionally, traditional farming methods have often led to soil erosion and water depletion, exacerbating environmental challenges.
With the growing concerns over the environmental impact of traditional agricultural practices, the poultry industry is seeking innovative solutions to reduce its feed waste while ensuring efficient and sustainable production.
Precision feed livestock management, powered by cutting-edge technologies like deep learning and computer vision, holds the key to transforming broiler farming into an environmentally friendly and economically viable enterprise.
This article explores the urgency of adopting precision feed livestock management and its potential to revolutionize the broiler industry.
Path to Efficiency in Broiler Farm Management Practice
The urgency of implementing precision feed livestock management for broiler farms cannot be overstated. As global environmental challenges escalate, the poultry industry must adapt and innovate to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Embracing precision livestock farming offers a sustainable solution to the chicken production dilemma.
By implementing smart sensors, automation, and data-driven decision-making, farmers can optimize feed management and reduce wastage significantly. Precision feeding systems tailored to individual bird requirements ensure efficient feed utilization and minimize environmental impact.
Utilizing smart poultry management systems like deep learning and computer vision in broiler farming promises to revolutionize the industry, significantly reducing its environmental impact while embracing precision feed management.
Embracing big data analytics and IoT infrastructure technologies further enhances the capacity of poultry production systems.
By implementing these advanced technologies, the poultry industry can secure a prosperous and sustainable future, ensuring the quality and safety of food processing for the benefit of consumers and society at large.
Precision Farming
The ever-increasing demand for broiler chicken places immense pressure on the poultry industry to scale up production.
However, this pursuit of higher yields often comes at a cost – inefficiencies in non-precise feed livestock practices. As we produce more chicken, more feed is wasted, and the consequences extend beyond economic losses.
The primary source of chicken feed, corn, contributes to deforestation and exacerbates global warming. Embracing precision livestock farming is not only a solution to these challenges but an urgent necessity to secure a sustainable future.
Traditional poultry farming methods rely on non-precise feed management, leading to excess feed consumption and wastage. This inefficiency not only strains the financial resources of farmers but also puts undue pressure on land and natural resources.
As corn becomes the primary source of feed, the demand for its production intensifies. The cultivation of vast cornfields contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating global warming and climate change.
The excessive use of land and water resources for corn cultivation further strains our ecosystems and threatens the delicate balance of the environment. Converting forests into cornfields to meet the rising feed demand contributes significantly to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
Precision feeding is a game-changer in broiler chicken production, where meeting target bird weights is vital.
By using technology to regulate the release of feed to individual birds based on their weight, precision feeding minimizes body weight variation and improves feed conversion.
It also allows for multiple feeding periods per day, leading to increased efficiency compared to traditional once-daily feeding methods.
Precision feed livestock management leverages advanced technologies, such as deep learning and computer vision, to optimize the nutrition and health of broiler chickens while minimizing waste and resource consumption.
Tech Support
In broiler farming, achieving the desired body weight of live birds is critical for maximizing production efficiency. Farmers commonly use standardized accumulated daily weight (SADW) to track bird growth and determine the right time for processing.
However, maintaining precise control over body weight can be challenging due to variations in individual bird growth rates.
This is where advanced technologies like machine learning and deep learning come into play.
The integration of image visualization, deep learning, and IoT in predicting live bird body weight and precision feed management presents an unprecedented opportunity for the Indonesian poultry industry.
By optimizing feed usage and creating a conducive farm environment, broiler farmers can achieve substantial cost savings while increasing production efficiency.
Computer Vision
Source: Deep learning and machine vision for food processing: A survey
Computer vision, a subset of machine learning, has revolutionized many industries, and its impact on broiler farming is no exception. By leveraging deep learning algorithms, computer vision can accurately predict live bird body weight by analyzing images of the birds.
This non-invasive and real-time monitoring approach allows farmers to assess individual bird growth continuously, enabling proactive decision-making.
Once the deep learning model predicts live bird body weight, farmers can effectively manage feed intake.
If a bird’s body weight exceeds the threshold set by the SADW, the system can trigger actions to reduce feed intake for that specific bird.
This precision feed management approach optimizes feed usage, minimizing wastage and ensuring that each bird receives the appropriate amount of feed based on its growth trajectory.
Environmental monitoring systems
Optimizing the poultry house environment is crucial for maximizing production. PLF technologies allow for real-time monitoring of factors such as temperature, humidity, and gas concentrations.
For example, relative humidity sensors can regulate ventilation rates to maintain optimal humidity levels, which can impact bird health and production.
Implementation of more advanced multi-sensor systems can further enhance environmental monitoring.
This innovative approach enables farmers to tailor feed rations precisely, considering individual bird requirements, growth stages, and health conditions.
Smart Sensors: Advanced sensors are integrated into poultry houses to collect real-time data on various parameters, including temperature, air velocity, humidity, gas concentrations (e.g., carbon dioxide and ammonia), and bird activity. These sensors allow farmers to monitor and optimize the poultry house environment, ensuring optimal conditions for production and bird welfare
Automation: IoT technologies enable communication between farm sensors, devices, and equipment, leading to the automation of multiple farm procedures. Automation streamlines processes and reduces labor requirements, improving operational efficiency.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The large volume of data generated by smart sensors requires sophisticated big data analytical tools. By employing data analytics, farmers can make informed decisions in real time, optimizing production outcomes.
Deep learning algorithms analyze vast datasets to understand the nutritional needs of broiler chickens more accurately.
By examining factors such as breed, age, weight, and environmental conditions, these algorithms can develop personalized feed plans for each bird.
As a result, the birds receive optimal nutrition, promoting healthy growth and reducing the need for excessive feed usage. Computer vision technology can monitor the health of broiler chickens in real time.
High-resolution cameras capture images and videos of the birds, allowing AI-powered systems to identify early signs of illness, stress, or injury. Early detection enables prompt intervention, reducing the need for antibiotics and enhancing animal welfare.
Conclusion
The potential benefits of implementing these advanced technologies in broiler farming are undeniable.
The integration of image visualization, deep learning, and IoT in predicting live bird body weight and precision feed management presents an unprecedented opportunity for the Indonesian poultry industry.
By optimizing feed usage and creating a conducive farm environment, broiler farmers can achieve substantial cost savings while increasing production efficiency.
Embracing these cutting-edge technologies will not only pave the way for a brighter future for the poultry industry but also contribute to sustainable and resource-efficient farming practices, benefiting both farmers and consumers alike.
A conservative estimate of a 5% increase in feed intake efficiency would be an additional savings of IDR 4.2 Trillion or USD 282 million.
Startups, venture capitalists, and forward-thinking entities have a significant opportunity to lead the charge in transforming Indonesian poultry farming through precision feed management.
The time is ripe for innovative agritech startups and investors to drive this revolution in the Indonesian poultry farming landscape.
About the author
Setiawan, is a Product Owner at Chickin Technologies, leads transformative efforts in the poultry farming sector. With expertise in collaborative strategy development, risk management, fundraising, and operational optimization, he drives initiatives to revolutionize the industry.
Aquaculture production operations that help feed the world’s growing population also generate polluted wastewater that harms the environment.
Four studies published by Purdue University scientists since last May document the feasibility of previously unproven methods for successfully treating the wastewater.
“Those wastewaters are not good for the environment because they discharge a large amount of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus,” said Jen-Yi Huang, associate professor of food science.
These nutrients cause harmful conditions such as oxygen depletion and algae blooms when they are discharged into the aquatic environment. We want to use microalgae as a wastewater treatment approach.
We grow algae in the aquaculture wastewater,” said Huang, who led a study focusing on microbial use of nutrients as a biological wastewater treatment method.
One will be published June 1 in Environmental Research, and the others were published in the March 15, 2024, and Aug. 15, 2023, issues of Environmental Pollution.
In Bioresource Technology, Huang and his co-authors presented the results of their life cycle assessment (LCA) on microalgae-based treatments of wastewater from a recirculating aquaculture system for shrimp. The LCA analyzed the environmental impact of the shrimp production process from feed production to wastewater treatment for a commercial farm in Fowler, Indiana.
“The result of this paper provides the proof of concept on an experimental scale,” Huang said.
The USDA projects seek to develop zero-waste aquaculture (growing aquatic organisms under controlled conditions) and aquaponics (combining aquaculture with plant cultivation in nutrient-enriched water) systems.
“We want to fully recover the nutrients from the wastewater using microalgae,” Huang said.
The goal is to ensure that zero-waste food production is both technically feasible and environmentally sustainable. The latter requires a production system that avoids generating a large environmental footprint.
“There is a trade-off because operating the microalgae wastewater treatment still requires some energy input,” Huang said. “The LCA evaluated the tradeoff between the nutrient recovery and additional energy input for the algal wastewater treatment.”
Huang’s team found that the microalgae wastewater treatment process is environmentally feasible.
Further, the team found that even with the energy requirements factored in, the microalgae treatment works better than the conventional activated-sludge wastewater treatment method.
“Using the microalgae as the wastewater treatment method can indeed improve the environmental performance of aquaculture production,” Huang said.
All three studies by Simsek’s team were conducted at Purdue’s Aquaculture Research Laboratory. In two of those studies, the scientists analyzed treating separate tilapia and shrimp wastewater streams with the same four strains of algae and two strains of bacteria.
“Wastewater always has bacteria,” Simsek said. “We are using natural bacteria that already exist in the wastewater to remove contaminants.”
The research team measured nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and other parameters in the wastewater during the experiments. These included chemical oxygen demand, a measure of environmentally harmful effluent discharge.
“All these parameters can be removed in the wastewaters using algae and bacteria together,” Simsek said. The types of algae and bacteria selected for the study are the most commonly occurring natural strains.
“Every wastewater is different,” he noted, meaning that different industrial sectors produce different wastewater and, therefore, may need different treatment methods.
The March 15 Environmental Pollution study results demonstrated the potential for applying microalgae and native bacteria together for treating larger-scale tilapia wastewater.
In the 2023 study, Simsek and his co-authors evaluated electrocoagulation (EC) and electrooxidation (EO) treatments of shrimp wastewater, both separately and together.
EC and EO, widely used methods for treating agricultural and other types of wastewaters, remove pollutants via electricity to drive chemical reactions.
The researchers also applied a modeling approach often used to determine optimal factors that affect the electrochemical method.
“The results of the study show EC and EO processes are potentially beneficial for the treatment of aquaculture wastewater,” Simsek and his co-authors wrote. They suggested larger-scale testing of EC and EO for the treatment to reduce toxic environmental effects.
“The developed treatment system combined with other treatment methods could be useful to treat various types of wastewaters throughout the world, which can help support the development of the zero-waste policy,” they wrote.
Agrishow 2024 New Holland is presenting FieldOps™, a versatile and easy-to-use farm management web and mobile platform available for operators worldwide.
It brings real-time monitoring, remote display viewing and intuitive user interface together into one comprehensive package to enhance how farming operations manage their data overall.
Agriculture is becoming increasingly digitalized with an exponential growth in cloud-connected machines. This means farmers need to avoid having fragmented digital solutionsand multiple apps or platforms.
Instead, the industry would benefit from an all-in-one, easy-to-use platform that unifies their core operational management needs into one place.
New Holland FieldOps is designed to simplify a customer’s entire workflow from the moment they connect to their machines all the way through to post-season analysis.
Its all-new interface streamlines workflows, simplifies farm management, and makes data accessible from anywhere.
Instead of using multiple apps to manage their mixed fleet, customers will be able to view and monitor all their machines in one place, centralizing tools like New Holland PLM Connect into one platform.
This gives customers easier access to their field and farm data and provides any connected operator the ability to manage their machines from anywhere at any time, via FieldOps’ mobile or web platform.
FieldOps’ key features include real-time machine monitoring — including precise location and duty status —, remote view of in-cab displays for improved operator support, visualization of agronomic data layers for a specific field over the course of the season and machine health and activity monitoring to quickly spot priority issues.
Bolstering the capabilities of FieldOps is the new collaboration with Intelsat, a leader in satellite communications for over 60 years.
New Holland and CNH will be the first in the market to make connectivity accessible to more areas that do not have consistent internet access through conventional cellular or terrestrial networks.
This collaboration solves a large customer challenge by providing industrial-grade connectivity that is built for farming. Having this level of connection increases the value and benefits of precision technology for farmers everywhere.
“Agriculture is changing rapidly, and farmers are increasingly asking us to support them with simple solutions for complex problems.
Our approach is always putting customers at the center and it is our job to help by developing technological products that improve their productivity”, said Carlo Lambro, Brand President at New Holland.
“FieldOps was created thanks to our customers’ feedback, prioritizing simplicity and intuitiveness for the interface.
It enables farmers to improve their efficiency and profitability, whether they’re investing in a new fleet or adding automation to their existing machines.”
The New Holland FieldOps app is currently in its final stages of development and testing, with a full release expected later this year.
Rethink Events is the host of the renowned World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, taking place since 2013 in London, San Francisco and São Paulo.
Launched in the Middle East for the first time in 2023, the summit focussed international attention on the innovation and investment opportunities in the most climate-stressed regions of the world.
The summit draws together growers, agribusinesses, technology providers, start-ups and investors to identify solutions with the potential to build a more sustainable, resilient food production system – and to forge the partnerships to bring these solutions to market.
Desert farming
The Dubai summit focused on desert farming, including seed breeding for arid climates, regenerative agriculture for soil restoration, digital platforms for smallholder farmers, and energy-efficient CEA.
Regional farmers were invited to attend the summit free of charge to increase their exposure to technology-driven, more sustainable approaches to production.
This international leadership summit attracted a global audience of 300+ delegates to the UAE, showcasing agtech start-ups from across the MEASA region, promoting new opportunities for investment in sustainable farming, and providing a forum for strategic networking.
World Agri-Tech brings together 300+ stakeholders and innovators focused on plant breeding for arid climates, regenerative agriculture, digital agronomy and energy-efficient CEA.
Leading agriculture technology firm Jacto has announced its entry into agricultural drones to help farmers carry out several operations in the field.
Jacto announced the development at the 29th edition of Agrishow in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, the biggest agriculture show in Latin America.
In partnership with the DJI company, a global leader in the segment, Jacto will add solutions based on drone technologies to its portfolio.
Therefore, the company will work with the newly released DJI Agras T50 and T25 spray and spreading models, besides the imaging drone, Mavic 3M, equipped with a multispectral camera to calculate vegetative that indicate and measure plant health, as well as crop growth regularity and plant density in the region.
Jacto acknowledges that drones are becoming essential tools for agricultural management. They can generate detailed crop maps, which allow farmers to identify low-productivity areas, analyze soil, and plan more efficient resource use.
Depending on the circumstances, they can apply agrochemicals and fertilizers with quality and lower operational costs.
For example, in hard-to-access areas, such as steep slopes and flooded terrain, drones can be the only feasible tool to monitor and apply inputs where traditional land equipment has difficulty reaching.
“Jacto has followed and researched the efficiency of using drones in crops. The quick development of technology has consolidated drones as a significant spray mode in some agricultural segments, even though they still face several challenges.
In this context, Jacto, having gathered its expertise of over 75 years in the agricultural spray market, is starting to help the sector by incorporating this technology into its set of solutions.
The new Jacto business line relies on a dedicated team for research and development led by Nei Salis Brasil Neto, Agricultural Drones Business Manager. “We are structuring a development area focused on drone technology.
At the same time, a commercial team, which will provide all technical and consultative sales and after-sales support, is structuring equipment distribution.
Additionally, we will have instructors dedicated to drone operation training, ensuring our customers are well-equipped to maximize the benefits of our products,” adds Nei.
The business manager still stresses that customers will have access to a set of applications and accessories and will be able to count on the excellence-recognized Jacto Master Dealers network for technical assistance and the availability of parts for maintenance.
As part of the introduction plan, Jacto’s drone business will initially focus on cereal crops in the southern regions of the state of São Paulo and Paraná.
During this period, the company will collect demands from other areas covered by its dealer network in Brazil and abroad to plan the expansion of the following steps.
New Holland won the Machine of The Year Brazil 2024/2025 award in the Spraying Machines category with the Guardian SP310F high-performance sprayer, which is being launched during Agrishow 2024, the largest agricultural fair in Latin America.
The announcement was made by the organizers of the award on April 30, during the 29th edition of the show. The Guardian has previously earned an AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in the United States in 2023.
The Guardian was chosen by a technical committee made up of researchers from various regions of the country.
The committee who analyzed the characteristics of the products based on technical and scientific criteria, considering not only functionality and performance, but also ethical issues, sustainability and the potential to transform industries and societies.
Designed to cover large areas of crops, the Guardian SP310F has a front spray boom width of 36.6 or 40.2 metres (120 or nearly 132 feet) and lots of onboard technology.
It allows greater control of the targets in the field, enhancing quality and safety in operations.
The only sprayer in Brazil with a front boom, the Guardian SP310F ensures that the product applied immediately reaches the target, optimizing control in the field.
The unique suspension with front boom and technology onboard allows for applications at higher speeds with greater quality and safety. Considering these features, the Guardian can increase operating income on average by up to 50 percent.
The Guardian SP310F features a high-tech, high-capacity package to meet the demand for precision farming.
As well as being connected, it has the IntelliView™ 12 monitor, which enables remote access. The connectivity of the machines enables better fleet management, as well as control and support in agricultural operations, since they are fully connected to the customer portal, FieldOps.
In addition, the sprayer can be monitored by the IntelliCentre, a center with specialists focused on increasing machine availability in the field.
The design is another strong point of the Guardian SP310F. It allows for perfect weight distribution between the rear and front axles, making it possible to enter the field earlier in conditions of high soil moisture and make applications in the later crop stages.
The compressed air system, coupled with the spraying system, allows all the liquid inside the pipe to be eliminated, keeping the spray bar clean at all times.
The variable clearance from 1.83 to 1.98 meters (6 to nearly 6.5 feet) also allow for late applications on maize without damaging the crop.
With a stainless-steel tank, which is easier to clean, with a capacity of 4,500 liters (1,188 gallons), the Guardian SP310F ensures greater autonomy in operations.
Equipped with the FPT NEF6 / 6.7 liter Tier 4B engine with 289 hp, it has an automatic engine propeller reversal system for cleaning the radiator.
Thinking of the environment
The recirculation system makes it possible to standardize and load the product onto the bar before starting the operation, without wasting product. At the end of the operation, all the residue is returned to the tank for proper disposal.
The electric valves, combined with the recirculation system, enable automatic filling and refilling of the spray pipe. After the operation, this set enables the entire spraying system to be automatically rinsed, collected and cleaned.
In addition, the IntelliHeight™ XRT height control, with 7 sensors for maximum stability and the ability to follow the ground surface, combined with the IntelliSpray™ II nozzle-to-nozzle control, offer maximum precision to deliver the ideal droplet at the right dose and on the chosen target to extract the maximum yield potential from the crop.
The Guardian SP310F also has a premium, pressurized and extremely safe cab for the operator with an active carbon filter, full view of the boom and fully assisted operation.
The independent suspension with the front bar, combined with the Guardian’s unique cab, allow for an extremely comfortable and ergonomic operation.
In addition, the onboard technology allows the operator to monitor all the machine’s parameters with the minimum possible intervention.
John Deere is lining up new high-horsepower four-track tractors, including an industry-leading 830 horsepower option.
With weather patterns shifting, the labor pool shrinking and input costs rising, the ability to prep the field, plant and harvest faster, and at a lower cost per acre, has never been more critical.
The new 2025 lineup of high-horsepower four-track tractors from John Deere features three new models with new engine and hydraulic options, new technology packages, cab updates and more.
“These aren’t just incremental improvements,” said Michael Porter, go-to-market manager for the John Deere tractor line.
“These are from-the-ground-up redesign. We have three new models and a host of new features, all newly designed to return real benefits in terms of operating speeds, in-field efficiency and future-proofing the farm.”
The new tractor lineup includes three new high-horsepower four-track models: the 9RX 710, the 9RX 770 and the 9RX 830.
Autonomy-ready option
To help farmers prepare their equipment and their farms for autonomous operation, wheeled and four-track MY25 8 Series and 9 Series tractors will offer an autonomous-ready option that will allow them to quickly and easily make the switch to fully autonomous operation when it’s right for their own farm.
“The autonomous-ready package offers all the hardware, software and safety features that we know today will be required for autonomous operation in the future,” Porter said.
The new autonomous-ready package will include rear implement ethernet, new visibility features, a back-up alarm, a 330-amp alternator, a brake controller and valve, and all the necessary connectors, controllers and harnesses.
The only additional item a farmer will need to add in the future to complete autonomous operations will be the perception system. The perception system consists of cameras and vision processing units needed for autonomous operation.
“The move to autonomous operations should be deliberate and well-planned,” Porter said. “But when it’s time to make the switch, we want our customers to be ready to convert quickly and easily.”
New engines and hydraulic power options
The three new 9RX models will be powered by the JD18 engine from John Deere Power Systems.
This Final Tier 4/Stage V-compliant 18-liter engine meets emissions requirements using exhaust-gas recirculation technology, eliminating the need for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and potentially saving farmers the cost of hundreds of gallons of DEF per season.
In combination with the new engine, an optional, new 168-GPM triple-pump hydraulic system gives farmers the confidence to pull wider and heavier air-seeding trains over the ground while maintaining tractor and fan speed.
“With up to 830 horsepower, 168 gallons per minute of hydraulic capacity, and up to 84,000 pounds of ballast, the new 9RX models are tailor-made for big jobs and big acreage and will help farmers prep the field and plant faster, while reducing overall operating costs,” Porter said.
CommandView™ 4 Plus cab upgrades
New updates aren’t just under the hood. The new CommandView™ 4 Plus cab offers a 15% increase in floor space and a 20% improvement in visibility from the right-hand side, increasing storage capacity, comfort and confidence.
Operators are protected from bumps, ruts and noise by the new cab suspension with a full 3 degrees of motion and an isolated subframe.
“Driving a tractor for 10-plus hours per day can put a strain on even the most experienced operators,” Porter said. “With the additional floor space and enhanced visibility, operators can work more comfortably, have more room for food or drink storage, and have a clearer view.”
Advanced technology package
The new 9RX models continue the John Deere tradition by offering the highest levels of standard technology features, including the G5Plus CommandCenter™ Display and Integrated StarFire™ 7500 receiver. An optional G5 Advanced technology package with SF-RTK offers the ultimate in precision capabilities.
“The combination of the G5Plus display and the optional G5 Advanced technology package gives farmers access to virtually the entire portfolio of intelligence and productivity features,” Porter said.
“This includes AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoTrac Implement Guidance, AutoPath planning and more. With the John Deere Operations Center and JDLink connectivity, you have a total technology package that allows access to field and machine data anytime, anywhere.”
It all adds up
“We love to talk about numbers and specifications,” Porter said. “But ultimately, these new machines are built to help farmers meet critical seeding, planting and field prep windows. For corn and soybean farmers, the 9RX models allow them to pull wider implements and reduce the number of spring and fall passes.
For small grain farmers, the higher engine and hydraulic power mean they can pull fully loaded air seeders over virtually any type of terrain without slowing down. And regardless of what crops are planted, the machine will be ready for autonomous operations when the time comes to implement it on the farm.”
The new MY25 high-horsepower 9RX models were available for order from mid-March. Additional model-year updates are available for 7 and 8 Series tractors.
Case IH is entering the next era of power and efficiency with the MY25 Magnum™ flagship models.
Launching at Commodity Classic, the latest upgrades build upon Magnum’s legacy as the tractor of choice for more than 37 years. Case IH is also displaying next-level track technology for Steiger® Quadtrac® and technology solutions that meet the needs of any grower.
The premium upgrades on MY25 Magnum tractors are designed with productivity in mind. The higher horsepower in MY25 Magnums — ranging from 265 to 405 models — helps operators efficiently complete tasks by handling larger implements, while also improving pass to pass accuracy through automated speed and steering control.
“We continue to build upon Magnum’s strong roots as the most trusted tractor on the operation,” says Morgen Dietrich, tractor segment lead at Case IH.
Power and technology
“Power, technology and quality define the next generation of Magnums and we purposefully bundled integrated technology within the tractors to eliminate the hassle of purchasing individual tech components.”
Dietrich explains the new Magnum 355 model will come standard with the 21-speed PowerDrive transmission, which builds toward future autonomy capabilities with brake to clutch functionality.
Case IH tractor solutions don’t stop with new MY25 Magnums. Case IH continues to set the bar in track technology with the recent launch of the Quadtrac Heavy-Duty Suspension (HDS) for Steigers.
Built with a new suspended track design, HDS elevates operator comfort and machine durability by significantly reducing shocks and jolts, while increasing productivity with faster transport speeds.
“From Farmalls to Magnums and Steigers, we continue to build upon our tractor portfolio legacy by unleashing new options and purposeful solutions for our wide range of customers,” says Dietrich.
“Our tractor portfolio, which ranges from 25 hp to 715 hp, demonstrates Case IH’s commitment to bringing solutions to operations of all sizes. It spans across tractors and harvesting to planters, tillage and technology.”
For producers looking to add technology to their existing fleet, Case IH is also talking about its aftermarket solutions at Commodity Classic.
Entry level telematics from Case IH deliver benefits to an operation through tracking and remotely monitoring machines without technology built in and other vehicles within a fleet.
Available as an aftermarket kit, growers will receive a five-year subscription to AFS Connect.
Additionally, growers can add the Pro 1200 Guidance kit to enable guidance, agronomic and telematics data transfers from older tractors through AFS Connect.
This allows operators to have the same display user experience as other machines in their fleet, simplifying the training and management of operators.
