Are You Ready for the Changes that Could Come with a Move to Autonomy?

Oct 01, 2026

I’m down in Louisville, Ky., this week for the Moving Iron Summit. This morning, Quint Pottinger, a no-tiller based here in Kentucky was part of a farmer panel discussion focused on the financial pressure on today’s producers. A lot of the questions posed to Pottinger had to do with the big steps he made in the last year as it related to autonomy.

Looking to slash equipment costs, Pottinger sold his two big-frame 8000-series John Deere tractors and two 40-foot 16-row planters and replaced them with a small 135-horsepower John Deere tractor and a 20-foot 8-row planter.

But the big kicker? He was going to start planting all his crops autonomously.

As Technology Editor Noah Newman wrote this summer, Pottinger bought a Sabanto autonomy kit, which retrofits to the 135-horsepower tractor. It includes antennas, a dual GNSS receiver, obstacle-detection sensors and video cameras.

Equipped with Sabanto, Panorama and Starlink, Pottinger became the first farmer in the Bluegrass State to plant his entire crop with a driverless tractor, joining fewer than 50 farms nationwide, according to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Pottinger says by selling the equipment he was able to reinvest the money back into the community.

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Video: Fendt Testimonial | Fendt 726 Vario Gen7 | Peter Watson Jones Ltd.

What happens when a farm buys its first Fendt? For Peter Watson Jones Ltd, the Fendt 726 Vario Gen7 has exceeded expectations from day one. For Jack, Farm Manager at Peter Watson Jones Ltd in North Shropshire, UK, the Fendt 726 Vario Gen7 wasn't just another tractor purchase. It was the farm's first experience with the Fendt brand.

Operating across a 1,200-acre arable farm alongside a 250,000-head broiler enterprise, the business has evolved significantly over the last decade, moving to a straight arable system with fewer staff and machines. Since arriving on the farm, the Fendt 726 Vario has established itself as the main drilling and cultivations tractor, earning its place through performance, versatility and efficiency. Whether it's handling large-scale cultivations or working with a new 4.5m strip-till drill, the tractor continues to impress.

Jack highlights its excellent manoeuvrability, operator comfort and ability to deliver strong pulling power at low engine speeds. The result? Outstanding fuel efficiency without compromising performance. Reliability has also been a key factor, with dependable backup from the team at TR Machinery helping to keep the tractor working when it matters most.

?? Watch as Jack shares why the Fendt 726 Vario Gen7, the farm's first Fendt, has made such a strong impression and become an integral part of their operation.