A GUSS semi-autonomous sprayer at work in an orchard. John Deere has partnered with the small company to sell sprayers through the Deere dealer network.

John Deere adds to robotic options

Partnership with GUSS Automation puts automated sprayers in Deere dealerships

Over a decade ago, John Deere senior executives made it clear the brand saw pursuing advanced technology as the way forward in the ag equipment business. Since then, Deere has introduced a steady stream of advanced digital systems, including the first fully autonomous tractor, an 8R, scheduled for market release this year. And when it […] Read more

claas axion 900 TT

Claas introduces the Axion 900 TT models

Two high-horsepower tractors get half-track configurations

In mid-June, Claas’s North American operation announced it was bringing the high-horsepower Axion 900 Terra Trac (TT) tractors to this continent. What sets them apart from their brothers in the 900 series is their half-track design. The company claims the half-track concept offers “marked advantages in comfort, efficiency and traction.” “Refined, efficient and bold are […] Read more


(Glacier FarmMedia staff photo)

Quebec’s UPA hit by ransomware attack

Farm organization, affiliate bodies affected

Quebec’s overarching farmer organization, l’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), has confirmed its computer systems were hit by a ransomware attack earlier this month. UPA, in a release last Thursday, said it’s working with a cybersecurity firm to analyze the nature and scope of the attack, as well as any possible solutions to securely restore its […] Read more

(File photo by Dave Bedard)

CP arbitration ends in two-year deal for engineers, conductors

Dispute led to rail service outage in March

Mediation and arbitration hearings over the weekend have ended in a two-year labour deal for engineers, conductors and train and yard service staff at Canadian Pacific Railway. The agreement puts a formal lid on the latest round of contract disputes between Calgary-based CP and its 3,000-odd unionized employees represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference […] Read more


Braden Madsen, left, with Greentech Enviro
Solutions loads chemical into the 100 gallon
tank on the UTV field sprayer built by
Greentech general manager Jeremiah
Kanderka. These compact sprayer units are
ideal for applying chemicals to smaller fields
and for range and pasture land use.

Small sprayers great for range and pasture…

A more compact machine is an ideal fit for smaller fields

When it comes to field-spraying projects, Jeremiah Kanderka has found that bigger isn’t necessarily better. The general manager for Alberta-based Greentech Environmental Solutions says that in the past year they have moved away from using high-clearance 120-foot wide TerraGator field sprayers to much more compact units. For the 2022 growing season they are providing weed […] Read more

Being diligent about cybersecurity is important, even on the farm.

Cybercriminals target equipment manufacturers

John Deere’s Cyber Security Defense Center is one example of how industry is fighting back

In May, major American ag equipment manufacturer AGCO revealed it had been targeted by a ransomware attack on its computer systems. In a statement on May 16, the company said its efforts to restore systems and business operations were continuing successfully after the attack, which was discovered on May 5, and all factories and parts […] Read more



Monarch’s MK-V tractor. (MonarchTractor.com)

Foxconn to build autonomous electric tractors in Ohio

Tech firm to make units for U.S.-based Monarch

Reuters — Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, on Tuesday said it will build driverless electric tractors for California-based Monarch Tractor at its Lordstown, Ohio facility starting in early 2023. The announcement comes as heavy machinery manufacturers, including Deere and Agco, set their sights on the electric vehicle market as the U.S. agriculture […] Read more



Testing and development for OmniPower, Raven Technology’s autonomous power platform, are being performed in Arizona. Raven’s parent company, CNH Industrial, recently announced the opening of a new R&D facility in Scottsdale, Ariz., to help advance the development of precision ag systems for its brands, which also include Case IH and New Holland.

Brands target higher tech

Investments in more computing capability continue

Some of us love to hate them, the computers in our equipment and vehicles that run them. If you’re one of those folks, you’d better get used to dealing with them, because the trend is for manufacturers to build more computing technology into machines, not less. In the spring, three major ag equipment manufacturers — […] Read more