John Deere has recently emphasized its commitment to American manufacturing while introducing a new U.S.-made drone designed for agricultural scouting. This announcement comes amid significant changes within the company, including layoffs of salaried workers.
Key Takeaways
- John Deere reaffirms its dedication to American manufacturing.
- Introduction of a new U.S.-made drone for agricultural use.
- Significant investments in American factories since 2019.
- Layoffs of salaried workers announced.
Commitment to American Manufacturing
John Deere has highlighted its long-standing commitment to American manufacturing, underscoring its investments in domestic factories. Since 2019, the company has invested over $2 billion in its American facilities. Notable investments include:
- The See & Spray line at Des Moines Works in Des Moines, Iowa.
- The X9 combine assembly line at Harvester Works in East Moline, Illinois.
- A new excavator factory in Kernersville, North Carolina.
- New tractor line assemblies in Waterloo, Iowa.
Despite these investments, the company has also announced layoffs of a significant portion of its salaried workforce, which were communicated through virtual meetings and emails.
New U.S.-Made Drone for Agriculture
In a move to enhance agricultural technology, John Deere has introduced a new U.S.-made drone designed for scouting. This drone, developed in collaboration with Tesseract Ventures, leverages cutting-edge military technology to provide farmers with real-time information about their fields. Key features of the drone include:
- Computer vision and optics for accurate crop and data management.
- Integration with Tesseract Synthesis software for actionable insights.
- Capabilities to identify pests, monitor weed growth, assess crop and soil health, track weather impacts, and observe crop development.
John Boucard, CEO of Tesseract Ventures, emphasized the drone’s potential to revolutionize U.S. farming by offering technological advantages previously unavailable on a single platform.
Other Notable Developments in Ag Tech
Several other significant developments have occurred in the agricultural technology sector:
- Monarch Tractor: The company has raised $133 million in a historic venture capital round to further its electric smart tractor platform. Monarch’s MK-V tractor, the world’s first fully electric, driver-optional smart tractor, has been shipped to farmers across multiple states and countries.
- SweetWater Technologies: The company has launched its first group of independently-owned and operated drone franchises. These franchises will utilize SweetWater’s advanced drone systems and exclusive portfolio of performance crop inputs.
- Stratovation Group: The company has released a free AgriSearch Assistant AI tool to help farmers aggregate and use data from credible sources more efficiently.
- University of Missouri Research: Researcher Matthias Young is developing smarter sensors to help farmers measure nitrates and phosphates in the soil more accurately, potentially leading to more efficient fertilizer use.
These advancements highlight the ongoing innovation and investment in agricultural technology, aiming to provide farmers with better tools and insights to manage their crops and resources effectively.
