Penn State and New Holland Advance Ag Research with Methane-powered Tractor

A partnership between Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and one of New Holland’s latest innovations — a fully methane-powered tractor — is providing expanded opportunities for students and faculty to gain hands-on experience with alternative energy technology and study its benefits for sustainable farming.

Under the partnership, the New Holland T6.180 methane tractor will be available to Penn State for one year, and will be based at the college’s 2,200-acre Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, Centre County, a hub for research and education improving food, farming and environmental health. The tractor is provided to the college through a partnership of the Penn State Corporate Engagement Center with CNH, whose brands include Case IH and New Holland, and incorporates advanced technologies in precision farming, autonomy and connectivity.

Penn State notes that studies will range, and include “optimizing the performance of agronomic crops such as corn and soybean through precision nutrition to developing integrated strategies for managing pathogens, weeds, and insect pests of vegetable and fruit crops.”