To enhance the farm equipment operator's ability to better monitor and control a wide variety of machine functions and field operations, John Deere introduces two new solutions for 2017.

One of the precision markets often identified by dealers as holding the most revenue potential is planter technology. Recent years have seen the debut and development of electric drives, high-speed seed delivery meters and hydraulic down force systems.

Talking with a few more precision retailers, there’s not been a consensus on an expected outcome of the U.S. Department of Justice intervening on John Deere’s planned acquisition of Precision Planting. Some forecast a restructuring of the original deal, which would pare down the power position that Deere would assume in the planter technology market should the deal be approved wholesale.