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.

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.

A week into the new year, one of the carryover lessons learned by precision dealers in 2020 was that they either need to learn how to disrupt the way they do business, or risk being disrupted. Wrapped around this concept is the question of how dealers will help their customers be more profitable with where and when they invest in ag technology products and services.

A week into the new year, one of the carryover lessons learned by precision dealers in 2020 was that they either need to learn how to disrupt the way they do business, or risk being disrupted. Wrapped around this concept is the question of how dealers will help their customers be more profitable with where and when they invest in ag technology products and services.

A week into the new year, one of the carryover lessons learned by precision dealers in 2020 was that they either need to learn how to disrupt the way they do business, or risk being disrupted. Wrapped around this concept is the question of how dealers will help their customers be more profitable with where and when they invest in ag technology products and services.