File photo of a John Deere X9 combine. (Deere.ca)

American Farm Bureau, Deere sign ‘right to repair’ memo

MOU to seek private-sector solutions

Chicago | Reuters — The American Farm Bureau Federation and machinery manufacturer Deere and Co. signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday that ensures farmers have the right to repair their own farm equipment or go to an independent technician. As the agriculture sector accelerates its adoption of technology, the reliance on high-tech machinery such […] Read more


John Deere’s 410-horsepower 8R tractors will be available with an electric variable transmission (EVT), which uses electric instead of hydrostatic motors. Deere says in the future, EVTs will be able to provide external electricity to power implement components.

Electric variable transmission for John Deere 8R tractors

Newly designed transmission debuts in 8R 410 models for 2023

Anyone who takes even a casual look around the automotive, heavy truck and machinery industries these days will notice driveline technology seems to be changing significantly — and rapidly. Electrification and alternative power systems are increasing in all sectors. The internal combustion engine is still king, but other pretenders to the throne are rapidly emerging. […] Read more

With the AutoTrac steering system, Gators can now follow the same precision guidance as tractors equipped with this technology.

Deere introduces AutoTrac-ready Gators

The green brand brings auto steer to its UTVs

It goes without saying that GPS auto-steer capability on ag equipment is a pretty ordinary feature these days, but John Deere is now bringing that technology to a machine you might not have expected to find it on, the Gator UTV. “John Deere is enabling the productivity gains farmers have seen while using AutoTrac technology on […] Read more


(Xinzheng/Getty Images)

China must raise self-reliance in ag tech, Xi says

Seed industry seen as weak link in food chain

Beijing | Reuters — President Xi Jinping wants China to accelerate efforts to achieve self-reliance in agricultural technology, identifying seed development and core equipment among areas to focus on, state media reported. The central leadership had said in 2020 that the country’s seed industry was a weak link in the food chain and needed to […] Read more

(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Railways over revenue cap in drought year, CTA finds

CN, CP now owe $5.7 million in overages, penalties

Despite a dramatically lower Prairie grain handle in the last crop year, the Western Grains Research Foundation can expect a $5.7 million gift card from Canada’s big two railways by the end of next month. The Canadian Transportation Agency, which sets the maximum revenue entitlements (MREs) each crop year for Prairie grain handled by Canadian […] Read more



Case IH will be releasing a fully autonomous Trident 5550 dry product spreader to the North American market in 2023.

Case IH debuts a fully autonomous Trident spreader

The brand says it’s the first of many market-ready autonomous machines to come

Six years ago, Case IH dazzled the crowd at the United States’ Farm Progress Show held in Boone, Iowa, with its concept fully autonomous, cabless Magnum tractor. That year, the Case IH exhibit attracted very large crowds on each day of the event, as everyone vied for a close-up look at the robotic Magnum. This […] Read more


File photo of a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup. (Media.gm.ca)

GM recalls 825,000 trucks, SUVs over headlight issue

Recall includes 85,000 units in Canada

Washington | Reuters — General Motors said Wednesday it was recalling 825,000 trucks and SUVs in North America because daytime running lights may not deactivate when the headlights are on, potentially causing excess glare. The largest U.S. automaker said the recall covers various Cadillac CT4 and CT5; Buick Envision; Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet […] Read more

The SWOT spacecraft is moved into a transport container inside the Astrotech facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Nov. 18, 2022. (Photo: USSF 30th Space Wing/Chris Okula)

NASA to conduct first global water survey from space

Data would bolster weather and climate forecasts

Los Angeles | Reuters — A NASA-led international satellite mission was set for blastoff from southern California early on Thursday on a major Earth science project to conduct a comprehensive survey of the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers for the first time. Dubbed SWOT, short for Surface Water and Ocean Topography, the advanced radar satellite […] Read more