Industry News

SkimTurf Management & Stotz Equipment Collaboration to Advance Precision Turf Management Across Southwest U.S.

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Through this collaboration, Stotz Equipment will help distribute the SkimTurf platform, enabling superintendents to transform agronomic insights into targeted field applications using GPS-enabled equipment.

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: May 20, 2026

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Purdue Program Brings Precision Ag to High School Classrooms
Young Grower Leads Charge for Precision Adoption on Family Farm
Inside Salford’s Big Precision Ag Move
Local Community Excited to Host Ag Robotics Conference
Breaking Down John Deere Precision Upgrades for 2027

Ecorobotix & RDO to Introduce AI Sprayer Technology in Australia

Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Ecorobotix, a Swiss company specializing in AI-driven agricultural technology, is expanding into Australia through a strategic dealer partnership with RDO Equipment Australia.

ePropelled Launches Integrated Propulsion & Power System for Ag UAVs

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

While initially developed for agricultural UAV applications, the same propulsion and power architecture can also be applied to a wider class of uncrewed systems, including ground based robotic platforms used in precision agriculture and autonomous field operations.

Growers Use Drones to Improve Early-Season Scouting, Decision-Making

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

UAV-based early-season scouting offers a practical, scalable way to assess soil variability, plant stand count, and early germination. However, the effectiveness of drone-based scouting also depends on image resolution.

Ever.Ag Advances Embedded Intelligence for Ag Retail

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

“AI adoption in agriculture is accelerating, but the real impact comes from how it is applied,” said Alan Brady, VP Business Management Solutions at Ever.Ag. “By embedding intelligence into ag retail workflows, teams can reduce manual effort, move faster, and make better decisions as part of their daily work.”

U.S. Sugar Launches Largest Deployment of Autonomous Tractors in Sugar Industry

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

U.S. Sugar today announced the launch of the largest commercial use of autonomous tractors in the American sugar industry, deploying a fleet of unmanned John Deere tractors within its 255,000 acres of farmland in South Florida.

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: May 13, 2026

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Deere Precision Leader Talks AI, Autonomy & More
Addressing Mental Health at the Dealership
Robotics Startup Puts Emphasis on ROI, Not AI Hype
See & Spray 2026 vs. See & Spray 2027
Precision Sales: Study Your Competition

Shining a Light on Mental Health in Agriculture

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Time flies during planting season, and this year has been no exception. But let’s pause for a moment and talk about something that doesn’t get covered enough in agriculture throughout the year — mental health.

Little Fallout Likely in Farm Machinery Sales Model from State Franchise Exemption

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A tightly-written exemption from state franchise law in Washington allows two EV auto makers to sell directly to consumers and affects only sales of motor vehicles.

Spring Is Here: Are You Ready to Fly Your Drone Legally?

Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Spring has arrived and drones are back in the sky. Before you launch, it’s important to make sure you’re operating within the law.

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: May 6, 2026

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 06 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Almost 25% of Farmers Using Drones in Iowa
Precision Startup Leverages Tech Used on Mars
Early Season Planting Tips from John Fulton
Independent Dealer Shares Simple Pre-Planting Tip for Customers
Autonomous Tractor Software Creates “Farmville for Real”

Should Your Farm Sign a Carbon Contract?

Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

"To date, farmer uptake of these programs has been very slow, in spite of the promise to pay farmers for participation. I believe a lot of the reluctance stems from the uncertainty about these programs," says Todd Janzen in his latest ag tech blog.

U.S. House Passes Farm Bill 2.0, Pesticide 'Liability Shield' Removed

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The version approved Thursday removed controversial language that would have prohibited states and courts from, “penalizing or holding liable entities for failing to comply with requirements that would require labeling or packaging that is in addition to or different from the labeling or packaging approved by the EPA administrator.”

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: April 29, 2026

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

AI Insights Reducing Manual Scouting for Midwest Retailers
Solinftec Closing the Loop on Autonomous Spraying
Case IH Dealer Educates Customers With Data Management Webinar
AGCO Dealer Boosts Tech Efficiency by 5% in 8 Weeks with AI
How Autosteer Systems are Becoming Smarter & More Connected

Kubota Invests in Agtonomy

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Kubota has invested in Agtonomy, a U.S.-based startup engaged in developing platforms and automation systems for precision automated agricultural operations.

Less (Technology) is More for Independent Tractor Manufacturer

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

While many are looking for more ways to incorporate technology in their farm equipment, Alberta-based startup Ursa Ag is intentionally doing the opposite.

‘Most Innovative Folks You’ll Find’ Gathering at 2026 Strip-Till Conference

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

“The networking is one of the things I love most about the Strip-Till Conference,” says Zack Smith, who strip-tills in Lake Mills, Iowa. “The farmers attending this conference are some of the most innovative folks you’re going to find."

Jenna Kudrna Named 2026 Lessiter Ag Media Scholar

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Jenna Kudrna, Milton, Wis., was named the 2026 recipient of the Frank Lessiter Ag Media Scholarship.

What You Need to Know About the FAA's New DETER Program for Drones

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For farmers who use drones for crop scouting, imagery, or spraying, this program marks an important shift in how drone rule violations are handled — and why staying compliant matters more than ever. Adam Gittins explains what the DETER program is, why it was created, and how it applies to ag drone operators.

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: April 22, 2026

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

Precision Ag Helping Farmers ‘Control Their Costs’
Ag Engineer Keeping an Eye on Caterpillar-Monarch Deal
Are These John Deere’s Biggest Planter Updates Yet?
Giving Your OEM a Taste of Life at the Dealership
What Your Customers Need to Know about New Drones Program

Creating Seeding Rate Prescriptions with AI for #Plant26

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Using artificial intelligence in our daily lives may feel like it comes from a science fiction novel, but with precision agriculture, AI is another tool to help farmers manage their operations.

Vi by visorPRO Launches AI-Powered Story Writing Assistant

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Story Writing Assistant enables service teams to capture notes via voice-to-text, typed input, or screenshots, and instantly transforms them into complete service stories with clear complaint, cause and correction.

Key Precision Takeaways from Auburn Cotton Planting Studies

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

These studies included evaluations of different planter types (seed meters), seeding configurations, seeding rates, and high-speed planting technology.

Georgia Hosting Inaugural Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Technology on display will include AI-driven sprayers and weeders, harvesting aid robotics, drones for weed detection and wildlife mitigation, and more.

Kinze Product Innovation Day Set for June 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The invitation-only event is designed to provide farmers with deeper access to Kinze equipment, expertise, and people. The event will replace Kinze Manufacturing’s exhibit at the annual National Farm Machinery Show.

Caterpillar Acquires Monarch Tractor

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:00:19 -0400

In a statement earlier this month, Monarch said its “core technology, including our software-defined vehicle platform, perception stack, and electrification systems, has been acquired by a large global equipment manufacturer. It means the technology will continue to move forward.”

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: April 15, 2026

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This Week's Lineup:

‘Earn Trust, Then Chase Home Runs’ When Selling Precision Ag
New Autonomous Planter Put to the Test in Corn Population Trial
Growers Share Benefits of John Deere ExactShot Technology
Dealers & Farmers Hit the Field for #Plant26
The Biggest Benefits & Challenges of Drones on Darren Hefty’s Farm

Brilliant Harvest Names Jennifer Luce Senior Marketing Manager

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Brilliant Harvest announced the appointment of Jennifer Luce as Senior Marketing Manager.

Industry News

SkimTurf Management & Stotz Equipment Collaboration to Advance Precision Turf Management Across Southwest U.S.

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: May 20, 2026

Ecorobotix & RDO to Introduce AI Sprayer Technology in Australia

ePropelled Launches Integrated Propulsion & Power System for Ag UAVs

Growers Use Drones to Improve Early-Season Scouting, Decision-Making

Ever.Ag Advances Embedded Intelligence for Ag Retail

U.S. Sugar Launches Largest Deployment of Autonomous Tractors in Sugar Industry

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: May 13, 2026

Shining a Light on Mental Health in Agriculture

Little Fallout Likely in Farm Machinery Sales Model from State Franchise Exemption

Spring Is Here: Are You Ready to Fly Your Drone Legally?

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: May 6, 2026

Should Your Farm Sign a Carbon Contract?

Top 10 Precision Farming Stories in April 2026

U.S. House Passes Farm Bill 2.0, Pesticide 'Liability Shield' Removed

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: April 29, 2026

Kubota Invests in Agtonomy

Less (Technology) is More for Independent Tractor Manufacturer

‘Most Innovative Folks You’ll Find’ Gathering at 2026 Strip-Till Conference

Jenna Kudrna Named 2026 Lessiter Ag Media Scholar

What You Need to Know About the FAA's New DETER Program for Drones

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: April 22, 2026

Creating Seeding Rate Prescriptions with AI for #Plant26

Vi by visorPRO Launches AI-Powered Story Writing Assistant

Key Precision Takeaways from Auburn Cotton Planting Studies

Georgia Hosting Inaugural Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference

Kinze Product Innovation Day Set for June 2026

Caterpillar Acquires Monarch Tractor

Precision Farming Dealer's Best of the Web: April 15, 2026

Brilliant Harvest Names Jennifer Luce Senior Marketing Manager