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's X Series Combine Harvesters received a CES Innovation Award to recognise their ‘outstanding product design and engineering in consumer technology’.
The X Series combine harvesters use ActiveVision camera technology that helps farmers see inside the grain tank. It also assists with observation of tailings to allow farmers to monitor the condition of harvested grain.
This technology, complemented by proprietary algorithms, is said to provide farmers with information to make critical decisions in the moment, while also gathering data to help them inform future decisions.
John Deere chief technology officer Jahmy Hindman says the award recognises the company’s efforts to build smart machines, systems and solutions.
“These help unlock customer economic value through enhanced precision, automation, speed and efficiency.”
While not yet available in Australia and New Zealand, two new X Series combine harvesters, the X9 1000 and X91100, will be added to John Deere’s harvesting line-up technology in late 2021.
JD claims the X Series uses the latest technology to deliver informed decisions and self-driving functions. For example, the harvester can automatically adjust itself to adapt to changing conditions to run at peak levels. This allows service technicians to manage things remotely, thereby minimising downtime and supporting profitability.
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.