COMING SOON: MORE BATTERY-POWERED JOHN DEERE EQUIPMENT

Dec 16, 2021

Helping our customers reduce their impact on the environment while also making them as efficient and productive as possible is key to our goal of helping the world leap forward.

That's why John Deere has acquired a majority interest in an Austrian company that specializes in renewable battery energy. Kreisel Electric, Inc., develops high-density, high-durability electric battery modules and packs, and has developed a charging infrastructure platform (CHIMERO) that uses the company's patented battery technology.

"John Deere is committed to a future with zero emissions propulsion systems and is investing in and developing technologies for batteries as a sole- or hybrid-propulsion system for vehicles," said Pierre Guyot, Senior Vice President, John Deere Power Systems. "Kreisel specializes in battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, which use chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of propulsion."

According to Guyot, demand for battery-powered propulsion systems for our equipment is growing. In the very near future Deere's turf equipment, compact utility tractors, small tractors, compact construction vehicles and some road building equipment could rely solely on batteries as a power source.

"Charging stations will also be key to customer adoption of electrification," Guyot said. "We recognize that our customers will need both stationary and mobile fast-charging solutions."

Teaming with Kreisel in this joint venture allows John Deere to integrate vehicle and powertrain designs around high-density battery packs, maximizing performance while also leveraging Kreisel's charging technology to build the charging infrastructure our customers will need.

"Electrification is a key enabler for automation and autonomy and helps us generate more customer insights to reduce operating costs," Guyot said. "We also know that over the next 3 to 5 years, battery prices are expected to decline and greater availability of battery charging stations will make it increasingly convenient to have battery-electric vehicles. We believe that as battery-electric vehicle costs come down, our customers will increasingly want battery-powered machines."

Source : John Deere

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.