Virtual models for practical solutions
John Deere's Mannheim facility uses tools like digital tractor models, 3D glasses and special software to develop and improve tractors. The Furrow takes a visit to a virtual world with physical outcomes.
Cultivating optimism in Alsace where corn is king
Believe it or not, the Vix family were all born on June 26. Wendelin Vix, hale and hearty at 87 years old, has passed on his love for farming to his son Jean-Marc and his grandson, François. Visiting this personality of Alsatian agriculture was well worth the trip, 26 years after doing a first report in the French edition Le Sillon. Let’s rediscover carefully managed La Neumatt Farm, based in Wantzenau (Lower-Rhine), where corn is king and cause for optimism.
“It is the People who establish trust in a brand”
Carolin Schäfer founded the agency Agrarmarketing Detailreich (Agricultural Marketing in Rich Detail) and works with, among others, farmers who enter into short supply chains or direct sales. The Furrow speaks with her about brands, branding and communication using social media.
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Effects of crop management on wheat yield and grain quality
A joint field trial by John Deere and Saaten-Union is investigating the influence of various parameters such as fertilization, seed density and growth regulators on the yield and protein content of winter wheat.
Much more than potatoes
Back in the late nineties, it was all about the potato for two Germanic families; until they formed a partnership that broadened their horizons and built a strong, evolving business and brand.
Edible seeds in short supply chains
In the Berry region of Nerondes, France, Marion Breteau and Damien Sneessens produce a wide range of "superfood" seeds, which they market under their own brand. In doing so, they now buy from some 50 contract farmers. We meet this couple of young farmers, full of initiative and conviction.
Making the Electronic Eye work in the Field
Farms are getting bigger. Therefore, when it comes to weed control, an “electronic eye” in the field can be very useful. To ensure a new product works reliably right from the beginning, extensive tests are carried out before the launch. Customer Damien Menuel from North Eastern France tested John Deere’s See & Spray Select system for a second season in spring 2023.
Dossier
Precision Farming
Automatic steering systems and site-specific field management are finding their way onto farms as the options become wider and more diverse. Precision farming can make businesses more efficient, more sustainable and more economically viable.
Getting into precision farming
Three farmers who dared to step into precision farming talk about their experiences.
This is how precision farming works
Have a look at this infographic to see how precision farming supports farmers at different steps of the cropping cycle, from planning to harvest.
Supporting animal health and ecology
How the digital modernisation of farms opens new opportunities for livestock producers to cope with upcoming challenges.
Malting barley: A united supply chain, from ear to beer
Fifteen percent of global beer production comes from French winter or spring malting barley. From the producer to the brewer, the entire supply chain remains committed to maintaining performance.
Efficient and versatile: This is how farmers work with the 750A seed drill
With hundreds of units sold since it was launched in the mid ‘90s, it’s impossible to find anyone who uses the John Deere 750A who has a bad thing to say. Jonathan Riley asked John Deere territory manager for East Anglia, David Purdy, what makes the drill so popular, and spoke to three growers for an insight into why the 750A is a kingpin in their kit-lists.
Making More by Brand Creation
Creating your own food brand based on your farm’s produce can be a challenging but rewarding journey, as arable farmer Thomas Björklund and other Swedish farmers can attest.
Healthy wheat with less fungicides
In addition to arable farming and fattening pigs, the Anschütz family relies on energy production from biogas and photovoltaics, and provides heat to 90 households through a heating network. Networks also play a big role in the family's farm management: Their tractors are equipped with the AutoTrac steering system, the John Deere Display and JDLink, all connected to the John Deere Operations Center. For a crop protection agent trial, the Operations Center was additionally connected with xarvio from BASF.
Saying yes: The Road to Business Success
The Cornish pasty has been a staple in the diet of Cornish people and further afield for years, but what is it like to supply the vegetables that go into this famous regional delicacy? Aaron Finucane and Ruth Wills find out.
Min-till even without glyphosate: Is ‘shallow and flat’ the future?
It was always clear to Alexander Kern that he had to get erosion under control. Some 40 years ago, his father Martin recognised the danger to his land in the German Kraichgau hills, and since then the family have adopted intercropping and minimum tillage on the 200ha conventional farm between Karlsruhe and Heilbronn.
Building Resilient, Regenerative Agriculture Business Models
Aisha Hassan and Lukas Paltanavičius are cycling across the world to learn hands-on about practices of regenerative agriculture. In a series of articles, they share their insights from the field. In this guest article they look at the business models of regenerative farms.
60 million litres of milk per year from thousands of cows at San José Farm
In terms of milk production, it is the second largest dairy farm in Spain: the Granja San José farm has to feed 4,300 dairy cows and 2,250 young cattle. All the feed is grown on site. This requires an extensive and reliable fleet of machinery.
The northernmost olive grove in the world
On the 51st degree of latitude, in Puhlheim near Cologne, Germany, 115 fit olive trees sway in the wind. An unusual sight, because, at least in this country, olive trees are still exotic. According to operations manager Michael Becker, this could change as the climate keeps changing.
A Win – Win co-operation
Contractor and farmer Benny Nilsson has been working together with the local John Deere dealership in Stenkyrka, Gotland for over 45 years and counting. The long relationship has been a fruitful one, not only for them, but for Mr Nilsson’s clients as well.
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INTENSIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND WITH A NEW ORIENTATION
Punjab has always been considered the breadbasket of India. Plenty of water, a temperate climate in the winter, and rich soils in the flat, alluvial land of the five rivers south of the Himalayas guarantee good harvests. However, times are also changing in Punjab.
“Quality is a continuous process.“
Rainer Loesch is Head of Quality at the John Deere Plant in Mannheim. The 6000 M and R series tractors are developed and produced there. In an interview, he talked about the ability to continuously develop as an organisation, and why employee motivation and an error management culture are so important for customer satisfaction.
Soil Screening
Dr Monika Joschko, Biologist at the Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e. V., researches soil. She knows how soil can be analysed using medical computer tomography and how farmers can protect their soil.
“In the factory, we grow with our tasks.”
During the past 35 years, Christian Beisel has been working for John Deere in Mannheim; currently he is the Module Manager in the Final Assembly Department. In this interview, he takes a personal look at the development of the plant and describes which developments have been the most important for him in recent years.
Why would you find seaweed in a farrowing house?
"You wouldn't," is usually the response you would get. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Faces and figures behind the two millionth Mannheim tractor
The John Deere plant in Mannheim has produced a whopping 2m tractors as of the spring of 2023. A reason to celebrate – and a good occasion for a look at the people, data and facts behind this milestone.
Unlocking Water Management Secrets in Regenerative Agriculture
Aisha Hassan and Lukas Paltanavičius are cycling across the world to learn hands-on about practices of regenerative agriculture. In a series of articles, they will share their insights from the field. In this guest article they look at how regenerative farmers are managing water resources.
From Umbria to the world
The Italian company Farchioni produces oil, flour, beer and wine with the help of innovative agricultural machinery. Traceability, controlled supply chains and sustainability are criteria that play an important role in the work.
Making fertiliser from algae
Can algae grown in wastewater provide a viable alternative to inorganic fertilisers? Professor Olaf Kruse, biotechnologist at Bielefeld University discusses the production process and its potential with the Jülich Research Centre and Lichtenau municipal utility in Germany.
How does regenerative agriculture increase biodiversity?
Aisha Hassan and Lukas Paltanavičius are cycling across the world to learn hands-on about practices of regenerative agriculture. In a series of articles, they will share their insights from the field. In this guest article they uncover how regenerative agriculture helps to increase biodiversity.
Biogas: Prospects despite difficult times
Biogas and its uses account for around 10% of all agricultural sales in Germany. This energy revolution has economic heft and offers an important opportunity for agricultural businesses and rural areas. But with expertise and production methods varying – how is it working in practice?
Profitability and social expectations in harmony
From pioneering renewable projects to local focused marketing, farmers across Europe are innovating in the drive for sustainability, but for Dutch farmers - cost is key.
Playing it safe with soya
The protein-rich soyabean has become increasingly important for both animal feed and food production with the lion's share imported from South and North America. But the number of soya growers in Europe is rising with production better placed to secure food supply and provide economic prospects in a more sustainable way.
From workhorse to Operations Centre
In early 2023, the two-millionth tractor came off the production line at the John Deere factory in Mannheim. In his guest article, Hans-Christian Quick, archivist at John Deere, reveals what has changed in performance, connectivity, and sustainability since the millionth tractor.
Sustainable coffee: Made in Vietnam
Delicious, organically grown coffee is the passion and pursuit of one coffee grower in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Aeroco Coffee, with its focus on sustainable production, want to show the world their passion for Vietnamese coffee. The Furrow joins them on a tour of their Ea Kao Lake plantation to learn how they’re changing the coffee landscape.
INFOGRAPHIC: REDUCING INPUT COSTS
Over the past two years, cost of fuel, fertiliser and crop protection has reached historically high levels. Therefore, more and more farmers ask themselves: What savings are possible? Here are some figures from research and consulting institutes.
Saving costs with the right strategy
This is a topic of ever-growing concern for French farmers: how can they strategically reduce their inputs costs. Three examples from Sainte-Thorette, Berchères-les-Pierres and Roville-devant-Bayon show what leeway today's price conditions leave and how farmers are using it.
“MODERN TECHNOLOGIES OFFER MANY EFFICIENCY ADVANTAGES”
In an interview, Christoph Wigger, Director Small Grains Production Systems at John Deere, explains how farmers can reduce their input costs and optimise their fertilisation and crop protection measures.
Optimize, improve and become more efficient
The Spanish farmer Jorge Prieto practices arable farming and faces the challenge of working efficiently with fewer resources in the current situation. He is already doing this successfully in the different phases of the agricultural production cycle.
From the sports track to the open field
Sergio Campana is a passionate farmer and racing car driver who, inspired by the character and uniqueness of his homeland, and with his commitment, talent, and determination, has brought together two very different fields.
Farmers are taking measures to offset high costs
Swedish farmers have experienced a 25% increase in input costs over the past year, and while higher farmgate prices have helped offset some of the inflation, farm businesses are now re-evaulating earlier strategies and implementing new measures to combat costs.
Winter service: With tractors against snow and ice
John Deere tractors don't just cut a fine figure in the fields. The tractors can also be relied on as a snow clearing service - as is the case in the Bavarian market town of Nordhalben.
Taking a whole farm approach to tackling input costs
Climbing input costs and a desire to improve soil structure for long term farm productivity lies behind one Leicestershire mixed farmer’s decision to look at every aspect of his arable system.
Connected vehicles: A contractor explains why this is important
When your John Deere dealer promotes The JDlink, it isn’t just marketing bluster. Through a modem in the cab, crucial data can be exchanged through mobile phone networks. Alsatian contractor ETA Diss shares this data with its dealer Haag, helping keep its fleet connected and running, often on difficult public sites more than 200km from home.
Energy revolves around organic farming, beef cows and tourism
Gut Dalwitz is organic farming on a grand scale. Even though the Mecklenburg farm has already achieved partial energy autonomy, the current energy market fluctuations are having a lasting impact on operations.
“The multi-fuel tractor provides farmers with more flexibility in these uncertain times”
With the multi-fuel tractor, John Deere is working on developing a machine which can operate with both fossil and renewable fuels. Dr Edgar Remmele from the Technology and Support Centre (TFZ) in Bavaria has worked on the prototypes and provides some insight into the project.
Optimising rapeseed conditions
Boosting and securing rapeseed yields is the 'Secure Rapeseed' challenge being undertaken in the French Picardy Region. The ultimate goal of the programme is to improve gross margins and reduce pest damage.
A new approach to finance and community involvement
Until now, crowdfunding has rarely been associated with agriculture, having generally been used for pre-financing in real estate, energy, and start-up sectors. However, funding projects in partnership with the community poses an interesting proposition for farmers. Kornelia and Lutz Engler from Brandenburg are seeking to finance a cider plant with their first crowdfunding campaign.
Straw bales at record speeds
The John Deere 6R 150 tractor and the John Deere V461R round baler produced a mammoth 130 straw bales in a one-hour field test – beating the record from 2012.
How observing cow behaviour can unlock productivity
Dairy cows’ behavioural characteristics and social needs are little changed from that of their ancestors. So, it is useful to keep in mind what is ‘normal’ for cows and understand their natural behaviour, to protect their health and psychological well-being.
BETTER OPERATION MANAGEMENT THANKS TO NIR SENSOR
For Sven Borchert, head of the Gross Germersleben agricultural company, documenting all farm and field procedures is a matter of course. He records important data during harvest with the HarvestLab 3000 – so what conclusions does he draw from it?
Drones in citrus groves
Monitoring the crop from above using drones is a unique opportunity for farmers to improve production and quality. In Sicily, the Bioagricola F.lli Solarino farm uses drones for plant protection and irrigation management of its citrus groves.
Save fertiliser with precision application
Use less fertiliser and achieve the same high yields? Contractor Christoph Hante has been using strip till application successfully for more than 10 years now. He is a pioneer in Germany when it comes to this type of in-soil fertilisation.
Infographic: Passing on to the next generations
European agriculture faces a demographic challenge. This is a situation that requires holistic solutions to make farm succession successful.
The self-propelled combine turns 75
John Deere’s self-propelled combines remain the reliable and indispensable assistant in grain harvesting. As this revolutionary piece of farm machinery reaches its 75th year milestone, farmers and contractors around the world use John Deere combines to harvest half the world’s grain.
Alan Rose celebrates 50 harvests on a John Deere combine
In 1973, Alan Rose fired up his John Deere 970 combine for the first time on the Lockerley Estate in Hampshire. He didn’t know it at the time, but it was to be the start of extraordinary partnership which would see him drive John Deere combines for the next 50 years.
A bridge to the battery
To reduce CO2 emissions from agricultural machinery, there are several possible approaches using alternative drive technologies. But all of them come with advantages as well as disadvantages. Functioning technology is already available for tractors adapted to use biofuels.
Successful farm succession – open the dialogue
The Pearce family have entrepreneurial blood running through their veins – but passing that – and the farm – down the generations hasn’t always been a smooth process.
Increase efficiency with satellite technology
The government is increasingly restricting the use of agricultural inputs. In addition, prices have risen to unimagined heights. Many farmers are wondering how to use fertilisers, seeds, growth regulators and crop protection chemicals more efficiently. One possible answer is to implement precision farming: Those who work with application maps based on satellite images can achieve more uniform yields.
AGRICULTURE IN THE DESERT
With just over 5,000 farms, Israel achieves a high degree of self-sufficiency in food. This requires innovative solutions, especially when it comes to irrigation. We present some of them in this article.
Measure protein while harvesting
Bernd Bund no longer wants to combine crops without using the HarvestLab 3000 NIR sensor to directly measure the protein content of his wheat, because it is easier for him to market.
Sheep farming at the end of the world
On the Faroe Islands, you might well see a sheep before you spot another human being. But with modern dairy farming and dinners served up by the farmers themselves, more and more people are starting to realise there is more to this remote corner of the world than first meets the eye.
Precision as a mission
Customers of agricultural contractor Flaskamp have been benefiting from the advantages of precision farming for over 10 years. The company supports simple entry level operations as well as complex precision farming tasks.
Good soil is our future
Galina Peycheva-Miteva's family owns land in Bulgaria. When she decided to step into the business, she had no formal agricultural education – which is something she used to her advantage. And she is convinced that regenerative agriculture is the way forward.
Baling 100 bales per hour…
You read that right: Samuel Bertrand's John Deere V451R baler unfailingly gathers hay and makes more than 100 round bales per hour.
How farmers are educating tomorrow’s influencers
Make no bones about it, the future of farming and the environment depends on the youth of today – and tomorrow. And for one Cambridgeshire farmer that was a good enough reason to go back to school.
Sustainability and profitability working together
Sustainable business practices are often associated with higher costs. But a tool for optimising crop cultivation available through the John Deere Operations Center shows that it can also save farmers money.
Poplar trees: A windbreak for crops
In Germany trees in the fields have a reputation for negatively affecting crop yields. A recent study in the south-eastern German State of Bavaria has now shown this is true, but only in the immediate vicinity of the trees. Outside of this vicinity, oat, wheat, and clover grass yields actually increase because of the favourable microclimate the trees help to create.
Harvest XXL
Gunsmoke Farms in the USA is harvesting in a big way. Contracted combines do their rounds in wheat and pea fields as far as the eye can see. With his image, photographer George Steinmetz captures the expansive nature of South Dakotan food production.
UV is stimulating plant defences
This innovative technology is providing a "clean" solution for the protection of vines – and will soon do the same for other crops.
Biochar: Truly effective environmental Protection, or just hype?
Even the most passionate of lobbyists wouldn't dream of claiming that biochar alone could save the world. But in interaction with other factors, aspects and agents, biochar may well contribute to long-term carbon sequestration and soil revitalisation in the future.
“The goal is to treat every individual plant!”
Digitalisation is crucial for agriculture and its sustainability ambitions, according to Stefan Stahlmecke, regional director of intelligent solutions at John Deere, speaking at the Digital Farming Conference in Berlin. But what does this mean for farmers? We questioned him to find out more.
How we created our very own Silk Road
In the heart of Calabria, in the Italian province of Catanzaro, there are still people who grow mulberry trees and breed silkworms to produce one of the world's finest yarns. The core values at play here? Tradition, an artisanal supply chain, an organic process, diversification, ethical action and sustainable land development.
John Deere gets under the skin
A John Deere fan lives and works in the Canadian province of Québec. His love literally gets under your skin. Swiss-born Jean-Charles Reihle's tattoos tell a story all of their own.
Case Study: Sequestering carbon in the dairy sector
Dismantling the environmental myths surrounding grass-based British dairy farms has become a passion for one wife and husband team in north Wiltshire.
Storing carbon in soil: guide for farmers
For British farming to reach net zero by 2040 more carbon needs to be captured: But the topic of carbon sequestration has become too high level and farmers need to bring it back down to earth – quite literally.
Robotic revolution
A robotic revolution is upon us, bringing with it one of the most advanced developments of its kind: A lettuce harvesting robot.
Hydrogen harvesting
Farm-produced hydrogen could provide a new revenue model for the agricultural entrepreneur. In the Netherlands, a prototype has already proven the feasibility of this technique. The next step will be to demonstrate its economic viability and its influence on the crop and the soil.
Belmonte Farm – Passion for farming
The Belmonte family has been using John Deere machinery on their farm for more than 40 years. Almost all of their tractors and combines have been of the green and yellow variety for a long time now. With their passion for agriculture, dedication, and commitment, they have become a well-established family business which primarily produces maize for animal feed.
Infographic: Bees and Pollination
Bees are important for the environment and for crop yields. But how important are they for the global food supply? Here we present an overview of the diversity of these insects and their role in crop production.
Save on diesel 6 tips and a contractor’s view
A vehicle that's well maintained and the right size for every task is a good start when it comes to regulating fuel consumption. "Telemetry allows us to further our good practices," reveals Jean-Noël Boissières, contractor in Cantal, France, and our primary interviewee for this article.
Ideas For Healthy Bees
Bees are important for the environment and for crop production. However, agriculture is often blamed for a decline in bee numbers. But there are several initiatives in the agricultural sector to counteract the death of bees. We took a closer look at some of them.
“New precision farming simulator game adds realism and fun”
A new "Precision Farming Free DLC" game for Farming Simulator 22 will be released on April 19. Benedikt Dahme and Markus Steinmüller from the John Deere gaming team have tested the free game expansion and reveal which new features make the sim even better.
Small farmers can build a bridge with the public
Slovenia is a great example of why small farms should have their place within modern agriculture, next to bigger, more intensive operations. They can meet the challenge of reinforcing dialogue between farmers and non-farmers and, in so doing, create new revenue models for farming.
“NIR technology makes liquid manure’s true value visible”
Prof Yves Reckleben is convinced that it is possible to replace mineral fertilisers to a large extent with farmyard manure. The Professor of agricultural and process engineering at Kiel University of Applied Sciences explains why this is the case in our interview.
Beetle Sound Tube
The sooner insects are discovered in grain stock, the better. It increases the likelihood that only a small part of the stock is infested and that the farmer can successfully combat the pests. The Beetle Sound Tube System is designed to detect the greedy little animals by making them audible.
“Customers are taking the next big step with the new 6R”
John Deere's new 6R Series tractor models stand out thanks to their design, performance and intelligence. In this interview, product marketing manager Philippe Steinmann provides an overview of the series and its advantages for users.
The time for variable rate seeding is now!
Variable rate seeding is not only about increasing yields and reducing costs. It is also about responding adequately to declining precipitation caused by climate change. A visit to French farmers and contractors who are implementing this technique provides some insights.
Digitally ahead of the game
Digitisation creates new opportunities for farmer and contractor Rainer Eichhorn, supporting his work in the fields. Since last summer, he has been using the John Deere Operations Centre, organising fieldwork across 1,100ha of land better than ever before.
Thriving insects, thriving farm
Adapting farming practices to boost insect life can have massively beneficial effects on farm productivity and chemical requirements. So how does it work?
The prairies of La Crau are in good hands
What is the first Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) attributed to an agricultural product not intended for human consumption? It is the famous Crau Hay, which in 2021 remained the only such PDO. The irrigated meadows from which this hay, renowned beyond French borders, is produced has a history that dates back to the 16th century. This heritage is maintained with passion by Olivier Tommasi and his team.
Inside tinned tomato giant Mutti
Tinned tomatoes are not considered a big money business. But despite this, one Italian producer has managed to achieve success by focusing on quality and fair conditions for its farmers. So what has been Mutti's recipe for success?
Every seed is precious
Together with Saaten-Union, John Deere is looking for new ways to optimise drilling. To do this, technical expertise and agronomic knowledge must go hand in hand.
Green Protein from grass
Soya imports are becoming more and more expensive and get increasingly criticised, especially for organic livestock farms. In Scandinavia, feed and seed manufacturers are about to commercialize a protein feed concentrate made from grass, clover, and alfalfa for non-ruminants such as pigs and poultry.
Trust doesn’t rule out the need for an Expert Check
It makes sense to have equipment serviced in the off-season. To help, John Deere dealers have the Expert Check in place. For a controlled cost, this advanced inspection procedure can prevent costly downtime at the worst possible moment.
The Best of Neighbours
Carsten Behr and Ulrich Löhrs’ families have lived next to one another for generations. But being good neighbours means more than just that. One of these farm managers uses conventional means, the other organic. Last autumn, both farmers entered into a farm partnership for the FINKA biodiversity project. Will it succeed?
“The most productive tractor in the world”
The newest generation of tractors from the 9 series promises enormous productivity along with excellent comfort and a plethora of intuitive precision farming tools. Simon Schowalter, product marketing manager for large tractors, spoke to us about developing the tractors and what the features really bring to the field.
The grain that returned to the sea to feed the world
A chef and a team of scientists are the first to have domesticated the plant Zostera marina with the intention of using it for food products because of its high nutritional benefits. The growth of this plant is associated with great subaqueous biodiversity and a decrease in ocean acidification.
Bulldog: Mannheim’s most famous dog turns 100
One hundred years ago, Heinrich Lanz unveiled the first Bulldog, laying the foundation for tractor production at the Mannheim factory. The Bulldog was an important pioneer in the mechanisation of agriculture. Its name became synonymous with the tractor.
New life out of old soil
In eastern Croatia, between the rivers Sava and Drava, 80% of the country's agricultural products are produced. Welcome to Croatia's agricultural heartland – Slavonia.
More environmentally friendly tractors on the horizon
The conversation around environmentally friendly tractors is gaining momentum in the agricultural industry. However, it's difficult to move away from heavy dependency on the traditional fuel, diesel. In the meantime, ideas which could help reduce CO2 emissions from agricultural machinery have been put forward.
Unfolding hidden treasures
Farmer Thomas Björklund in Sköldinge, Sweden, previously pioneered farm practices which have become established trends. Now, he has teamed up with medical doctor Kerstin Fredlund to turn indigenous grain varieties into superfood via a hydrothermal process.
Saving the planet’s soils
A passion for soils has seen one farmer achieve net zero without sacrificing yields, using techniques which could cut input use drastically.
Infographic: Paths to climate-neutral production
Agricultural has a stake in climate change, and at the same time the soil is a powerful tool against warming. This will lead to new regulations for farms - and hopefully new opportunities.
“It is our job to increase the humus content”
A good content of organic matter not only helps the environment, but also the fertility of the soil - for Henning and Arne Beecken, the two aspects cannot be separated from each other. Following this principle, the young farmers have completely converted the family farm's cultivation system.
Bales by the minute
The job of contractor Martin Georgs is to make his customers happy. With his John Deere machines, he presses and wraps bales in one step. He works quickly, reliably and is always accommodating.
Recognising the value of humus
Field crops are gaining recognition because of the important climate benefit they offer: Storing carbon in the soil by increasing its organic matter content. This creates new expectations of agriculture, but also new opportunities. Visit to a French farmer who markets his CO₂ storage.
From farmer to climate manager
In his guest article, Markwart von Pentz, president of John Deere's agricultural machinery division, outlines the biggest challenges facing agriculture and shares his outlook on how to overcome them.
Outsmarting weeds with agtech
Nowadays, when it comes to weed control, farmers have a number of new, sustainable and efficient agricultural technologies at their disposal. Apply the agtech correctly, and farmers can strike the perfect balance between meeting their legal requirements and economic targets as well as improving agricultural sustainability.
Wastewater turned into fertiliser gold
Wastewater minus water and contaminants equals a very potent, and more importantly, recycled, fertiliser. The Swedish company EkoBalans aims to capitalise on this as it develops a more sustainable NPK fertiliser.
“Thanks to the NIR sensor, we can close the nutrient cycle”
The HarvestLab 3000 Near Infra-Red (NIR) sensor tells the farmer exactly what their slurry consists of. Alexander Berges, productions systems manager at John Deere, explains how this facilitates better fertiliser planning and reduced diesel consumption.
“The Mighty Cup Plant”
It supplies biomass, promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and helps with water protection – the perennial cup plant has quite a few aces up its sleeve. According to recent studies, it is an alternative to maize for biogas energy production. Dr Siegfried Schittenhelm from the Julius Kühn Institute tells us what this plant is all about.
Spare parts for every age
What started as a hobby has turned into a bustling business for Dutch John Deere fan Guus van Daele and his son Stanny: The two collect and trade in old spare parts and in so doing ensure that a piece of history is preserved.
Climate friendly cows
The cattle industry is under increasing scrutiny for its contribution to climate change, but with adversity comes innovation and agriculture has risen to the challenge by developing methane inhibiting supplements.
“This is a real workhorse”
Twins Tom and Will Carlisle were pleased to have an addition to their fleet during harvest season - the S790i Hillmaster.
A portrait of catch crops
Humus loss, erosion, nitrates, pesticides in flowing waters and groundwater, as well as the desire for greening and the onset of climate change are giving broad support to intercropping. We present a portrait of twelve important types of catch crops.
Data Connect optimises mixed machine fleets
The Agraset agricultural co-operative in Saxony farms over 5000ha. This spring, it equipped a Jaguar SPFH and five John Deere tractors with Data Connect for the first time.
Seeing a way through to low carbon salad
UK growers are investing to produce food in the most sustainable way, using technology to save energy, water and carbon emissions. Natalie Noble visits a world-first low carbon greenhouse project in East Anglia to find out how they are putting ‘home’ back into ‘homegrown’.
“With slurry, you can fertilise with precision”
The strict legislation on fertilising with slurry is causing quite a stink for many farmers. Farmer Stefan Vogelsang explains why it's still useful and how it can be done without stress.
The Italian rice farmers on the quest for balance
In Italy, Europe's leading rice producer and exporter, farmers are searching for more stable prices and better crop rotation planning. On top of the challenges from international competition, they face restrictions on pesticide use and an almost total lack of industry contracts.
“Of course, a heavy tractor can be gentle on the soil”
Heavy does not always mean high pressure on the ground. Simon Schowalter, product marketing manager of large tractors at John Deere, explains why this is the case and how the 8RX tracked tractor makes use of it.
Out of the resistance trap
If you always fight weeds with the same herbicide, you will probably soon be faced with a resistant population. Arable farmer Wilhelm Heine from Baden-Württemberg knows that this is not fun. Four types of sustainable herbicide resistance management helped him to get blackgrass, which had become resistant on some of his farmland, under control again.
Understand and reduce soil compaction
Soil compaction can reduce yields by up to 20%. Mathias Stettler and Roger Stirnimann from the University of Applied Sciences for Agriculture, Forestry and Food Economics explain what happens during this process and how it can be mitigated.
Bees as helpers in crop protection
Pollinating bees could provide an effective way to apply fungicide to strawberries.
Digital Technology Reduces Agriculture’s Climate Footprint
Prof. Peter Pickel, responsible for future technologies at John Deere's European Technology Center in Kaiserslautern, explains new ways of combining efficient agriculture and environmental protection.
The vineyard goes north
Swedish vineyards are growing in number and in quality, despite unfavourable climatic and commercial conditions. With warming climes, winegrowers intend to put the Scandinavian country on the map of European vineyards within a few years.
Catch crops for more soil life
Catch crops expand crop rotation, enrich soil life and ensure sufficient nutrient supply. After several decades of neglect, arable farming has rediscovered them. Their selection, whether as a monocrop or a mixture, depends on many factors.
Ideas for Bees
The European Bee Award aims to protect pollinators through technical innovation and the implementation of new agricultural practices. The award is based on a joint initiative by John Deere and the European Association of Professional Beekeepers. Gilles Dryancour, one of the founders of the award, shares his thoughts about the importance of bees and showcases some of the winning ideas.
Energy Valley
Geothermal, solar and wind energy, methane extracted from manure to produce high-quality natural gas and electricity - there is plenty of green energy in a valley in the middle of the US desert.
Boost wheat yields through targeted slurry application
Targeted N fertiliser application in wheat using NIRS technology on slurry can boost yields by up to 5%, with additional yield after just one application. Holger Huffelmann attended a practical test at Haus Düsse and explains the setup and possibilities offered by NIRS technology.
Estate has based its business on hemp
This is life at Moellerup Estate: Hemp in the field and in a variety of foods, and the development of proprietary technology for the use of hemp and other raw materials. The estate was run as an ordinary farm for almost 800 years, until the owners discovered the possibilities of hemp as a crop.
Interactive infographic: Precision farming is picking up speed!
Agriculture is generating more and more data, and more and more farmers are engaging in precision farming. Insightful facts and figures on the topic of digitalisation.
Digitalising the vineyard
Working grapevines on steep slopes is as traditional as it is demanding. Three students are looking to simplify the process, and to save winemakers time and effort with the help of "Bacchus" software.
Dealerships and contractors:
A strong team
Introducing precision technologies into day to day farming practice can be a challenge. However, no one needs to start out alone. We place the spotlight on two stakeholders in the green sector, who are playing a central role in the adoption of digital agriculture: Dealerships and agricultural contractors.
Returning to the new normal one step at a time
They often occur without warning and tear life apart at the seams: Major crises. The Hübl family – a farming family from the Black Forest in Germany – had such an experience when a fire destroyed most of their property. Strong commitment and unexpected help carried them through the catastrophe.
“Fertiliser should ideally be 100% effective.”
Agricultural contractor AIS Schier has been focusing on core fertiliser and lime applications for many years. General manager Holger Schier describes how they even out the pH value of a field and why this approach is a good starting point for precision agriculture.
Island potatoes
In France, on the island of Noirmoutier, the tradition of harvesting early potatoes stretches back over two centuries. We meet with the producers of tubers which have a sophisticated taste and high added-value.
Lives and Livelihoods in the Balance
Through its support of the Rayuwa initiative, John Deere is helping farmers in Nigeria improve their profitability to better weather the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agave: Tequila turned biofuel
Lick the salt, take a shot, bite the lime. Tequila! This might be a more typical association with the alcoholic derivative of the agave plant, but in the continuing search for alternatives to fossil fuels, one research project has grown it to produce bioethanol.
Regulation will be key in Spraying technology
Jørgen Audenaert is an expert in spraying technology. For almost 25 years he has contributed to many technological breakthroughs like data collection, artificial intelligence, sensor technology and pulsing nozzles. He expects spraying technology to further advance in the future, "but regulations will be decisive."
A guide to low carbon farming
Agriculture is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, but the adoption of low carbon practices can turn this around.
HarvestLab™: Silage in the best quality
The right food makes both animal and farmer happy Contractor Andreas Feil knows this well. Thanks to the HarvestLab™ 3000, he can analyze the corn harvest down to the last fiber while still in the field, thus harvesting only the best silage.
Biostimulants boost crop and soil health
Biostimulants are growing in popularity, with increasing scientific evidence to prove that they work. But for many farmers, the concept remains myth and magic - so what are they really all about?
Aftermarket connectivity key in operation efficiencies
Buying a tractor can be a challenge - keeping sight of operational requirements and budget while being wowed by shiny new kit. But with farms shelling out on average £83,300 on a new tractor (Defra, 2019), how can farmers be sure nothing runs like a Deere?
Precision tech for a green future
Technology has boomed in popularity over recent decades – its advancement hailed as the making of a fourth agricultural revolution. But while precision technology has a sleekness in design it is far from vanity gadgetry and offers producers an insight into sustainable data.
Making Protein out of a Feather
While conducting his field doctorate research, Dr Mohammad H A Ibrahim came across an interesting bacterium at a poultry farm in Egypt. Now it is part of a process producing high-grade feed protein and bio-degradable plastics from waste organic matter.
Controlled Traffic Farming is a win!
Controlled traffic farming and minimum tillage are increasing crop yields and profitability in Ukraine.
Harvesting metal with plants
Some plants absorb the metal in impressive quantities. In certain cases, this phytoextraction can be put to good use.
“Apps bring benefits of the Operations Centre to the field”
At John Deere's site in Kaiserslautern in Germany, Torsten Kreutzer works on developing mobile apps for modern agriculture and precision farming. At the family business based in his hometown, he personally tests the applications in the field.
“Producers gain power over their decision making”
How to get started with precision farming, and how quickly does it spread in practice? An interview with Peer Leithold, the managing director of Agricon, a consulting firm he founded in 1997.
Controlling precision weeding with the Operation Centre
The cloud-based Operations Centre offers solid base functionalities plus more than 180 third-party software products to serve special requirements. In the South West of France, one farmer has put this feature to the test.
Precision Farming: How it works
Variable rate application can now be used in almost all work areas. However, the focus is not on tools, but on the agricultural goal. Here is a current overview of data sources and their practical use.
Getting into precision farming
Precision farming can make farms more efficient, sustainable and economic. But with the multitude of possibilities, the question often arises: "Where to start? We show examples of three farmers who have dared to take this step and tell you how they did.
Sunflowers: Spain is developing new high-quality varieties
Heliotropic sunflowers (which follow the sun’s movements) are resilient to scorching summer weather. And high yielding varieties which are rich in oleic acid are the prime material in healthy and sustainable vegetable oils.
Nemo’s Garden
The US firm Ocean Reef is experimenting with underwater cultivation in the Italian Riviera. The goal of the project is to develop a technique for using the ocean for irrigation in arid regions.
The future of weed control
Cameras, algorithms, drones, and other new ideas: Intelligent technology can make plant protection much more efficient. We explain how it works, what John Deere is working on and why the farmer still plays the decisive role.
Success through diversification
Zambian farmer Stephen Chinyama depends on several means to make a good living. We offer a sneak peek into a day in the life of a man running his family business with acumen, good risk management and a talent for improvisation.
Crofting in the Outer Hebrides
There are few places in the British Isles as remote as the Outer Hebrides; 24 miles off the west coast of Scotland with little between them and Newfoundland, these islands are truly unique. Breathtakingly beautiful but with notoriously volatile weather, farming here is challenging – yet these resilient people are not only surviving but thriving.
Better Animal Health and more Ecology
A lot has happened on farms in recent years in terms of digital modernisation. Although it is difficult to predict where all these complex developments will lead, new options are emerging for many farms to meet future challenges.
Brazilian farmers aim for sustainability
Brazil is known for its soya cultivation and rainforest, however agriculture in this economic superpower involves more than that. A lot of Brazilian farmers also look at the longer term and work on ensuring healthy soil.
Enough water – longer dry phases
Water is one of the essential foundations of agriculture. How will its availability in Europe develop in the future? Our infographics provide an overview.
Farming for the Prince of Wales
Being interviewed for a job by the Prince of Wales would set anyone’s nerves on edge – so when he asked David Wilson whether he would be prepared to try some biologically sustainable farming, Mr Wilson did what anyone else would do - say yes and find out what it is later.
“Climate adaptation will be an ongoing process.”
The European LIFE "AgriAdapt" project has been working on the topic of climate adaptation for four years. Patrick Trötschler from the German project partner “Bodensee-Stiftung” speaks about the prospects in the cultivation sector and efficient drought prevention.
Storing water to cope with droughts
Farmers in Sweden, France and Germany are striving to retain water when there is plenty available so they can use it during dry summer months. Water is stored in ponds, marshes, or in the ground. The Furrow reports.
Direct sales instead of supermarket
During the corona crisis, farmers are seizing the opportunity to open up new business areas. We have collected three examples from three countries.
Organic production tickles the tastebuds
The family-run organic farm Bio Alberti combines traditional farming with modern processing techniques – and produces goods both for the nearby village and the global marketplace.
“Coronavirus crisis shows the benefits of Connected Support”
With Connected Support, John Deere sales partners can actively support their customers from afar. Matthias Steiner, responsible for customer support at John Deere, explains how exactly it works and what benefits it offers during the corona crisis.
The soil never forgets
On a test site at the University of Halle, crop cultivation endurance tests have been running for more than 140 years. Created by Julius Kühn in 1878, several plots of the 'eternal rye crop' have been grown in a field ever since, providing guidance for future agricultural practice.
The autonomous swarm tractor from John Deere
What would an electric tractor look like if we didn't have to think about the power supply anymore? Simon Pfaffmann from John Deere's ETIC invites us to take part in a thought experiment – and explains how real this idea is.
Small island with busy summers
Søren and Helle Svennesen run the only farm on Barsø in the southern part of the Little Belt, Denmark. Summers are busy here with lots of activity and visitors, and there are challenges all year round, both inescapable and self-imposed.
Bringing traditional and modern together
Kakheti in Eastern Georgia is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. The peculiar geographical region on the border between East and West has always enjoyed ample water supplies, fertile soil and bright, warm summers - a God-send for wine-growers, fruit-growers and farmers
Interview: The laser is coming
Merve Wollweber, biophysicist at Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (Hanover Laser Centre) is developing a laser-based weeding system.
5 farmers, 1 farm
The traditional freehold is no longer the only form of ownership in Danish agriculture. One alternative consists of the Go-Gris I/S partnership in eastern Jutland, which is owned in equal shares by three young and two senior farmers.
Green Revolution in the Desert
In Egypt’s traditional farming regions on the alluvial soil of the Nile, there is hardly any good farmland left. Multiple projects are therefore trying to transform the desert into arable land. Can that work, and is it sustainable?
A dream team in Provence
Lavender and einkorn wheat are a dream team. This pairing makes the farmers of Provence happy, as well as their customers all over the world.
Self-fertilising maize
In southern Mexico, researchers have discovered giant maize with astonishing properties. Other varieties can benefit from this.
Growing Deeper Underground
Deep below the suburban streets of London, beneath the feet of hurried commuters, lies something unexpected – a farm, in a converted World War Two air raid bunker.
Tradition and pride
The sound is both exhilarating and deafening. This is Switzerland at its traditional best: Hundreds of brown cows – complete with cow bells - returning from the alpine pasture to their winter homes, creating a festival for tens of thousands of people. Welcome to the Alpabfahrt - the Alp Descent.
Remote Monitoring for Health And Productivity
A technological revolution is changing the face of modern dairy farming in the form of a bolus that can detect temperature, activity and pH, sending early alerts of heats, calvings and illness to the producer.
Infographics: Protein in Europe
The autonomy level of European animal husbandry varies depending on the protein group. Fact is: Europe will remain dependent on imports. However, in the long term, breeding and technical advances will increase independence. See our interactive graphics to find out what is happening where.
Interview: Using more home-grown sources of protein.
Alexander Döring, secretary general of FEFAC (the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation), on reducing the protein gap.
Protein in Europe: is it enough?
Making Europe less dependent on imports of protein raw materials is a challenge for the future. We meet two producers who are doing their bit to improve Europe’s protein production.
Let it rain
Only a small fraction of farmers, gardeners and winemakers use the rainwater falling on their farm and roof surfaces to irrigate their crops or as drinking water. The mindset plays a greater role here than economic calculations.
A Comeback in East Africa
Halters, twine and rope: Farmers from across the world rely on products spun from the natural fibre, sisal. Until the late 1960s, Tanzania was the leading producer of sisal worldwide. But then the successful advent of synthetic fibres resulted in a prolonged slump. Now this versatile natural fibre, and thus northern Tanzania, is experiencing a new boom.
Let’s tell the children
A modern farm is no place for children, it’s often said. So how will they discover and understand the joys and challenges of rural life? Peter Grimshaw met some farming champions who are dedicated to inspiring the rising generation.
Farmers help to shape Cuba´s Future
Cuba is allowing more and more private enterprise and is seeking normality in its relations with the US. Agriculture is also changing as a result.
Poultry farmers lead the way in antibiotic reduction
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health concern and livestock producers are increasingly under pressure to reduce antibiotic usage in animals. In the UK, the poultry industry is leading the way.
From hazelnut to cotton
Turkish agriculture has lots to offer. With products such as hazelnuts, figs or sultanas, Turkey is a global leader in production. Looking at the whole industry shows an impressive variety of products, whereas many regions concentrate on growing only one specific crop.
Green Energy on the Farm
Methane, biomass, solar panels: there is no shortage of resources on farms for producing energy locally. From Picardy to Provence, things are picking up steam.
Buckwheat – The unknown Russian
When Russia is mentioned, most people think of chernozem soils and vast wheat fields. Few people are aware that buckwheat reveals a great deal about the Russian soul. This becomes clear at the very latest when you sit down to eat. Because Russian cuisine without buckwheat is unthinkable.
Neighbourhood: cultivating a good relationship
The countryside is a space to live and to work. And thus often an arena of conflicts of how to use that space. A challenge that needs to be tackled by farmers themselves.
Manage the farm digitally
What was previously only possible with different individual software tools, the John Deere Operations Centre is combining into one easy-to-use solution: All work operations in the palm of your hand – on your desktop, tablet, and smartphone.
Combine with Pedigree
John Deere has over 100 years of experience with harvesters – and the first combine is already over 90 years old. To date, we have produced over 750,000 combines, including over 120,000 single rotor machines. This is a short story about a long tradition.
Turnout in the Flint Hills
Each spring truckloads of cattle from as far away as Mexico are brought to the Flint Hills, the last remnant of tallgrass prairie in North America to graze on the rich early-growth grass – a major logistics effort for farmers and forwarders.
Soil Compaction:
Facts and Figures
It is particularly hard to assess the damage caused by compaction in deeper soil layers. But research data and statistics indicate a considerable impact on agricultural productivity.
Talk about it, ask for help
Farmers are no strangers to challenges, but realising how it affects their mental health is not easy. With more than one person in UK agriculture committing suicide every week, it’s a subject that cannot be avoided.
River Mile 270: A major hub for agriculture
The Columbia River is the largest river in North America in terms of the volume of water flowing into the Pacific. With over 26m tonnes of grain moving through it, it is the third largest transport corridor for grain.
Expert Check: The expert for peace of mind
With the Expert Check, service technicians like Thomas Merkel help to avoid expensive repairs and ensure peace of mind. The most important pre-requisitions for this: A lot of experience and structured work.
Simulating the future
Researcher Andrew Leakey is simulating atmospheric conditions for the next half of the century. The data obtained is supposed to mitigate the consequences of climate change.
Herbs from meagre soils
Albanian agriculture has plenty of challenges, but the sector still has great potential. It is one of the largest producers in the world of medicinal and spice plants. But while many farmers are hoping that the country joins the EU, if and when that will happen is still uncertain.
Your farm in your pocket
In 2016, Alexandru Haita started to use John Deere’s web-based farming platform MyJohnDeere.com and the associated tool “Operations Centre” to manage his farming operation. And he has not looked back since.
Soil under pressure
Soil compaction is a well-known problem, but its impact is often underestimated and difficult to assess. And it is a growing concern for farming stakeholders.
Farmers as trade experts
Fresh players in the market and new factors influencing pricing mean grain prices are fluctuating significantly more than in the past. When selling their grain, farmers therefore need to focus on good risk management.
Free farrowing – The future of British pig production?
High welfare pig production isn’t always about free-range systems. With growing demand for ethically produced but inexpensive pork, high welfare indoor systems could be the way forward for the industry.
Don’t take soil compaction lightly
Prof Rainer Horn qualified as a professor of soil science in 1981 and from 1998 to 2017 he held the chair for soil science at Kiel University, Germany. His scientific interests are soil physics and soil ecology with a particular focus on physical land degradation.
Diversity under threat
The Mekong Delta is one of the most fertile regions in the world. Its farmers produce for both the Vietnamese and the global market. However, climate change and intensive cultivation are threatening its future.
Grazing management in the spotlight
Milk producers are under pressure from persistently low producer prices. At the same time, demand for more natural foods is rising. One solution could be to focus more on grazing management. But just "opening the cowshed door and let the cows out" is not enough.
“Know how a futures market works.”
Jan Peters is the founder of the information service agrarfax.de (today owned by Landwirtschaftsverlag GmbH). He is a correspondent for the specialist publication Agrarzeitung and provides agricultural information on a daily basis to Reuters Hamburg, Dow Jones Newswire London, and VWD Frankfurt.
How to get started with contracting
Many farmers consider contracting as an option to spread their overheads and generate additional income. It’s also a potential route into agriculture for new entrants. But it’s not easy, so what should prospective contractors know to make them top of their field?
Hidden Hunger
There are many types of hunger. If we want to feed the world, we should not only pay attention to the quantity but also to the quality of food.
“Know your costs and keep your focus”
Charlie Morgan, Director of Grassmaster Ltd, a grassland consultancy in the UK, gives advice on how to optimise grassland management.
Green gold
The pumpkin is a special crop that has a long-standing tradition in Styria. Now, the fruit with its seed oil is also making an international name for itself. Local farmers and also the region are benefiting from this.
“Compaction is relevant in grassland too”
Compaction is an issue that is often discussed in relation to arable land – but it can also be a problem in grassland. Olivia Cooper speaks to soil expert Philip Wright to find out more.
A Deere a minute
Do you drive a John Deere 6 series tractor from the Mannheim factory? Then you will be particularly interested in this article, because we are going to take you on a tour of the factory and show you how our tractors are built.