In the picturesque Dutch village of IJzendijke, the National Fieldlab for Precision Farming (NPPL) has once again embarked on an ambitious endeavor to test the boundaries of agricultural technology. This year, the spotlight is on the Fendt 716 tractor, now equipped with GPX Solutions’ iQuus Autonomy system. The autonomous tractor has already begun its tasks, including tilling onion beds and preparing potato fields. However, the journey has not been without its challenges, as the damp soil has somewhat hindered its autonomous operations.
Dutch arable farmer Brian Salomé initiated the NPPL practice test for 2024 on Ascension Day, marking the beginning of a new phase in precision farming. This test follows last year’s trial with the unmanned, iQuus-equipped Steyr, and aims to build on the feedback and user experiences gathered. GPX Solutions has responded to this feedback by enhancing the iQuus system, making it more versatile and better suited to the varied demands of modern farming.
Upon delivery, the Fendt 716 was immediately fitted with narrow crop wheels set at 1.50 meters to optimize its performance in tilling onion beds and laying down fertigation hoses. The NPPL 2024 demo tour will run until September, with eight participating farmers each getting a two-week period to test the autonomous tractor. This initiative not only aims to gather data but also to familiarize farmers with the potential benefits and limitations of autonomous farming equipment.
Salomé had high hopes for the Fendt to operate entirely on its own, with minimal human intervention. However, the wet spring presented unforeseen challenges. The varying carrying capacity of the field, compounded by the heavy clay soil, caused the tractor to occasionally sink too deep, affecting the tiller’s performance. “To consistently deliver good work, I had to adjust the lift depth too often. And with the current system, it’s either fully autonomous or not. So I didn’t use the iQuus system while tilling the onion beds,” Salomé explained. Consequently, he opted for a more hands-on approach, driving right up to the ditch and leaving minimal headland to maximize efficiency.
The transition to autonomous farming is not without its teething problems. Upon arrival, the Fendt 716’s wide tires, initially set at 2.25 meters, were replaced with VF culture tires set at 1.50 meters. This decision was influenced by the need to minimize soil compaction. “Narrow tires compact a narrow area and perhaps deeper, but wide tires compact much more, including where your crop needs to grow,” Salomé noted. Despite these adjustments, the tractor faced startup glitches, reminiscent of setting up a new smart TV or printer via WiFi. This led to a flurry of WhatsApp messages between Salomé and GPX Solutions to resolve issues such as battery life and turning radius settings.
The plan is to use the Fendt autonomously for preparing the potato land with the rotary tiller. Unlike last year, the tractor can now truly work independently, thanks to extended safety components that no longer require continuous remote supervision. However, the Fendt will still require some manual intervention, particularly for more complex tasks like planting potatoes, which necessitate frequent refilling of the bunker.
Brian Salomé and researcher Koen van Boheemen of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) both acknowledge that while the autonomously operating tractor excels in straightforward tasks like land preparation and mowing, it still requires human oversight for more complex operations. This balance of autonomy and supervision could help farmers focus more on critical aspects of their work, potentially increasing overall efficiency.
As the NPPL 2024 demo tour progresses, the insights gained from these tests will be invaluable in shaping the future of autonomous farming. The journey may be fraught with challenges, but each step brings the agricultural community closer to a more efficient and technologically advanced future.