The John Deere Magazine
  • Arable
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Special Crops
  • Trends
The Furrow
Precision Farming

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.

Precision Farming

“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.

The Furrow is also available on paper!

Your John Deere Dealer

Visit your John Deere dealer and ask for a subscription of The Furrow.

“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.

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.

Read more on a topic:

Preci­sion Farming

Trac­tors

Harvesters

Services

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.

Services

“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. 

Tractors

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.

Harvesters

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.

\
Services

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.

Tractors

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.

The Furrow on paper

Visit your John Deere dealer and ask for a subscription of The Furrow.
Your John Deere dealer

Stay in touch

Do you have suggestions, criticism or praise for the editorial staff? Write to us: editorial@JohnDeere.com

Follow us on

  • John Deere Website
  • Johne Deere Dealer Locator
  • Provider
  • Privacy and data
  • Cookie State­ment
  • Terms of Use
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Arable
  • Trends
  • Special Crops
  • –
  • Flur und Furche
  • Le Sillon
  • –
  • –
  • Straight to John Deere:
  •  Website
  •  Dealer Locator
  •  John Deere on Face­book
  •  John Deere on YouTube
  • –
  • Provider
  • Privacy and data