increase font size
The programme allows farmers to ensure machines have up-to-date technology, without the need to purchase new equipment.
Designed to allow customers to adopt technology and reduce costs, John Deere’s Precision Essentials Programme, offers those customers the option to either buy all their precision agriculture (PA) technology upfront, or select only the hardware and software that will be most valuable to their business.
The programme allows up front savings on the purchase of machinery by asking users to pay for technology they see as most impactful for their unique farming operation.
Through the program, farmers will also be able to ensure machines have the most up-to-date technology, without the need to purchase new equipment, and retrofit legacy machines with tech that brings them in line with modern requirements.
Farmers without JD equipment can also opt into Precision Essentials to introduce leading tech to any machine.
John Deere ANZ production and precision ag marketing manager Royce Bell said the programme was driven by a commitment to make technology more affordable, by lowering upfront costs; accessible, by ensuring customers select only the tech they need; and adaptable, by allowing farmers to scale up or down as their operation demands.
“Precision Essentials really changes the way that farmers can think about the feasibility of implementing PA technologies and how often they can upgrade to better systems,” Bell said.
“Our goal is to help farmers, regardless of farm size, crop or livestock operation, incorporate the PA technology that’s right for their farm.
By offering a choice of buying everything upfront, as is the norm today, or alternatively purchasing Precision Essentials, customers can tailor to their own operation at a lower initial cost.
“New licensing options also provide customers newer to precision ag technology the opportunity to try a technology and then expand as it fits their farm.”
Rolled out for the first time in the US last year, the system has become popular across all types of farming operations and commodity types.
Farmers are said to be rewarded with lower entry cost on their PA core hardware, via The Precision Essential package which comprises a Precision Essentials Hardware Kit comprising G5 or G5PLUS Display, StarFire 7500 Receiver and JDLink M or R Modem, alongside a choice of four renewable software licenses that encompass singular or combined versions of AutoTrac, Section Control and RowSense, SF-RTK , AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoPath, In-field Data Sharing, Satellite Maps and Machine Sync.
Customers will be able to incorporate all the software updates that come with the G5 family and G5 Advanced package and with the option to upgrade any licence at any point during the year.
“We’ve given a lot of thought as to how we can tackle the challenge of improving uptake of innovation and the reality is that many farmers only use the elements of the technology they most need, or are most comfortable with, or is most affordable,” Bell said.
“Every farmer is at a different point on the PA journey, and for Australian and New Zealand agriculture to realise its full potential, it’s important that new pathways are provided for.”
Easily missed on its expansive Agritechnica site, John Deere offered visitors to the bi-annual event, the first opportunity in Europe to see John Deere’s E-Power 130hp electric tractor prototype.
Grape and orchard growers will soon be able to take a closer look at John Deere’s new 5EN specialty narrow tractors, which offer more power and comfort in narrow vineyards or tree rows.
Recently released in Australia and New Zealand by John Deere, a unique new software platform offers near real time profitability monitoring across crops and individual paddocks.
John Deere has released details of its next generation of fixed and variable chamber round balers, offering advanced automation for increased productivity, along with user-friendly features, including new endless belts that ensure reliable net feeding, particularly in sticky conditions, and an optional integral bale weighing system.
Fancy trading your old toy for something new next month?
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Sirma Karapeeva has resigned from the role.
The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton on Thursday evening.
Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf‑feeding beetle that will help control the highly invasive Chilean flame creeper.
This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
Fruit trader Seeka posted a record profit and returns to shareholders in 2025.
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly reckons rural Manawatu families are the latest to suffer under what he calls the…
OPINION: If old Winston Peters thinks building trade relations with new nations, such as India, isn't a necessary investment in…
