Solectrac, a California-based company that manufactures 100% electric tractors, is reimagining the traditional tractor dealership model as it prepares to introduce new models in 2022.

Fully autonomous vehicles may be closer — and more necessary — than you think. That’s the argument of Bill Lehmkuhl, owner of Precision Agri-Service, an independent precision dealer group headquartered in Ohio. Today, we’re taking a look at some of the highlights on his autonomy timeline.

One of the newest developments in weed control is the Autonomous LaserWeeder, a robot that uses artificial intelligence and lasers to zap weeds growing among cash crops. Carbon Robotics unveiled the autonomous weeder in April of 2021, and went on to sell out of 2021 and 2022 models.

Supply chain shortages have some dealers digging out decades-old precision equipment to help their customers get crops off the fields. To fill in the gap during the busy September-November harvest season, Deere dealer Ag-Pro is putting GPS units from 2004 back to work.

Kubota Corp. plans to acquire AgJunction, a company that develops guidance, autosteer and autonomy technology, for $72.8 million. AgJunction announced the acquisition on Oct. 8. The company plans to hold a special meeting for shareholders in November to seek approval for the acquisition, and the transition would likely close shortly after approval.

A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would provide loan financing to farmers and ranchers to purchase precision agriculture equipment. 
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., announced the Precision Agriculture Loan Act on Sept. 15. It’s the first federal loan program dedicated entirely to precision agriculture.

Gregg Sauder, president of 360 Yield Center, demonstrated the 360 RAIN autonomous irrigation system at the 2021 Farm Progress Show in August. The technology follows an RTK path created by a planter and delivers water, nitrogen and micronutrients directly to the base of the plant.

Purdue University is targeting the next generation of growers with a new online Precision Agriculture course. The online course will be available at no charge for high school agriculture teachers, starting with teachers in Indiana and then expanding to schools around the U.S.

Deere and Company is acquiring Bear Flag Robotics, a startup that develops autonomous driving technology compatible with existing machines. Deere is paying $250 million for the Silicon Valley-based startup, according to an announcement by the company on Aug. 5.

According to a study on precision agriculture conducted by the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers, the American Soybean Assn., Crop-Life America and the National Corn Growers Assn., the environmental benefit of precision ag technology fuel efficiencies is similar to taking 200,000 cars off the road every year.