New Holland aims to bring autonomous solutions across all segments it serves, particularly in the speciality crop market. (Image source: CNH)

New Holland recently announced its multi-phase partnership with leading autonomous technology company, Bluewhite to enable the collaboration on distribution, manufacturing and integration of Bluewhite's autonomous solutions for New Holland tractors, thus enabling them to operate fully autonomously in orchards and vineyards among other specialty crop operations

Formerly known as Blue White Robotics, Bluewhite brings sustainable autonomous innovation to permanent crop growers worldwide, thus driving the growth of resilient farms. Using its AI-driven autonomous farm solution, the company leverages AI, sensor fusion, advanced vehicle integration and precision implements control to help growers manage their fleets and data.

New Holland aims to bring autonomous solutions across all segments it serves, particularly in the speciality crop market. Bluewhite's unique technology and proven capabilities in orchards and vineyards helps New Holland customers address immediate challenges, such as labor shortages and rising operational costs in the specialty crop market. Through a combination of savings in inputs, labour and maintenance costs, the technology has been successful in reducing operational costs by up to 85% depending on the specific use case.

“We’re incredibly excited about collaborating with CNH and New Holland to accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in the field that not only improve productivity and profitability for growers but also promote safe and sustainable methods of producing food,” said CEO of Bluewhite, Ben Alfi. “Our long-term partnership with CNH and New Holland combining leading autonomous technology with the best tractors and harvesters in the orchards and vineyards sector is a milestone in achieving our mission of making cutting-edge innovation accessible to the agriculture sector."

DSM-firmenich and BESTMIX software, through their partnership, unlock the value of sustainable feed production with Sustell. (Image source: BESTMIX Software)

Leading innovator in health, nutrition, and beauty, DSM-Firmenich has entered into partnership with leader in feed and pet food production solutions, BESTMIX Software to measure and manage the environmental footprint of animal feed

Bringing together BESTMIX Software's feed formulation with SustellTM full life cycle assessment (LCA) platform, the partnership allows customers to generate and share their feed footprints easily. This solution enables feed producers to report the environmental impact of their feed, leveraging existing data in their trusted BESTMIX software suite. 

Not only does this collaboration support feed producers to address future demands of feed labelling, but also helps farmers to accurately quantify the impact of products such as eggs, meat, milk and farmed seafood on the environment. This means that feed producers, farmers, processors, food companies, and retailers are now able to accurately report their emissions, while also improving their sustainability practices. 

"Feed is a critical part of the food value chain. By connecting SustellTM with a well-known software player such as BESTMIX, we further realise our ambition to connect the entire farm-to-fork ecosystem," said vice president of Sustainability & Business Solutions at dsm-firmenich, Animal Nutrition & Health, David Nickell. "Reliable, easy-to-use LCA footprinting is the key to enabling cooperation throughout the value chain to meet the challenge and seize the opportunities related to sustainability. 

John Deere debuted five new P-Tier Skid Steer Loaders and Compact Track Loaders. (Image source: John Deere)

John Deere recently debuted five new P-Tier Skid Steer Loader (SSL) and Compact Track Loader (CTL) models boasting a brand-new one-piece cab design with premium options, enhanced technology features and an overall increase in operating power

These new models include the 330 and 334 P-Tier SSLs and the 331, 333 and 335 P-Tier CTLs, which come with the debut of three brand new attachments. These comprise the MK76 and MH72D mulching heads and the CP40G cold planer. In order to enhance productivity on the job, the 333 and 335 P-Tier machines can be equipped with John Deere SmartGrade technology. 

Taking the feedback of their customers into consideration, John Deere has proceeded with prioritising operator comfort and productivity. Customers can now experience better insight and customisation of machine settings and viewing information, by utilising the eight-inch premium touch-screen display interface, available on the full line-up of P-Tier models and standard on the 334 and 335 P-Tier.

The pairing of Bluetooth devices is enabled on the touchscreen display and enables the answering of calls and control of streaming audio, making for seamless operation. With a focus on serviceability, the new cab tilts up in one piece, giving ground-level, all around access to the engine, drivetrain, and undercarriage of the machine. In regard to SmartGrade and Grade Control features, a new hydraulic system has been designed to help operators maximise efforts on the job. 

Moreover, two brand new technology capabilities have also made their debut with the rollout of these models, including Attachment Manager and Surround View. The John Deere Operations Centre will continue to be included on all large-frame CTL and SSL, enabling fleet managers to monitor machine location, codes, fuel usage and other key features more efficiently.

In addition, the company has also debuted strategic Quick-Tatch system updates and three new attachment offerings. A full overhaul of the John Deere Quik-Tatch coupler means customers can experience less downtime and continue to easily switch back and forth between attachments. Also, both install implementation and design improvements have been made to increase customer and confidence, making for a more efficient jobsite.

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.com

A drone flies over a farm in Tanzania. (Image source: FAO/Eduardo Soteras)

On 17 May, at the Business Federations of the G7 (B7) meeting which took place in Rome, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), QU Dongy highlighted that AI is not just a technological shift, but is driving a fundamental economic and social transformation at the broadest level

He noted that ”Digital agriculture can revolutionise how we produce, distribute and consume food,” highlighting that potential benefits for farmers and stakeholders across agrifood systems include improved pricing data, minimising food loss and waste, enhancing food safety and stimulating adoption of better seeds, fertiliser and sustainable practices.

The B7 comprises the main business and industrial federations of the G7 members and the European Union. Once a year, the B7 presents its recommendations on selected priority topics to the G7 presidency, which this year is held by Italy.

The Director-General emphasised the central role that data plays in AI and digital technologies, noting that quality data is needed to train innovative tools and to accelerate actions such as agrifood systems transformation.

FAO has a formidable database in FAOSTAT, data is central to FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-2031 and has an innovation lab to experiment with new sources and methods. One takeaway from those initiatives is that data ecosystems require significant investment and effective collaboration. FAO stands ready to engage and partner with the B7 group and the private sector in this area, Qu said.