3 Benefits of Autonomous Tractors
How an Autonomous Tractor Transformed Betsy Rowland's Farm
In the heart of Princeton, Illinois, Betsy Rowland's West Bureau Farms is leading the way in agricultural innovation. Over the past four seasons, Betsy has been using autonomous tractor and tillage tools to revolutionize her 8,000-acre farm, equivalent to 6,060 football fields, which grows corn and soybeans. This technological marvel, an 8R 410 tractor and 2600VT tillage tool, has not only simplified her farming operations but also brought numerous benefits that are reshaping the future of agriculture.
Why Autonomy?
With the world’s population expected to grow from 8 billion to nearly 10 billion by 2050, the global food demand is increasing. Farmers like Betsy are at the forefront of meeting this demand. The autonomous tractor allows her to manage her land more effectively. "When you think about it, that's a lot of ground to cover. The tractor makes it manageable," Betsy explains. This scale of operation is essential to produce enough food to meet the growing need.
Benefit #1: Boosting Efficiency
With the average farmer being over the age of 58 and facing a never-ending list of tasks, the autonomous tractor allows Betsy to assign workers to other high-value farm duties while the tractor handles routine work. "It's amazing how much more we can get done," Betsy says.
Benefit #2: Gaining Time & Health
The autonomous tractor has also had a profound impact on Betsy's personal life. With her husband running a separate business, the tractor helps them cover more ground without burning out. "We're getting our time, health, and sanity back," Betsy mentions.
One of her favorite moments was when the tractor completed an entire field overnight while she was asleep. "I woke up, and the field was done. It's like having an extra set of hands that never gets tired," she adds. This ability to work around the clock has been especially beneficial during busy seasons.
Benefit #3: Empowering Farmers
Betsy's farm has been a pioneer in implementing new technology since the early 2000s. The autonomous tractor is just one part of a broader technological ecosystem that includes GPS, automation, and robotics. The John Deere Operations Center™ plays a crucial role in this setup. "Operations Center mobile is how we start running the tractor autonomously. It sends phone notifications if the tractor stops or has any issues," Betsy says. Both the mobile and desktop versions are used to monitor the tractor's progress, location, estimated time of completion, and job quality. This integration of technology helps Betsy make informed decisions, track machine status, and ensure safety.
"The biggest benefit we have seen is an increase in crop yields, which is mostly due to new seed traits," Betsy explains. "Being able to remotely monitor so many things has given us additional peace of mind and limits trips back and forth to check things. Having GPS guidance on our machinery helps reduce fatigue and allows for more accuracy in the field," she adds.
