AGCO, a global leader in agricultural technology, is once again pushing the boundaries of precision agriculture with its annual Tech Day event. Held at the historic Götz Agrardienst farm in Markt Indersdorf, Germany, the two-day program on September 30 and October 1 is a testament to AGCO’s commitment to Farmer-First innovations that span the entire crop cycle and cater to diverse farming operations.
Eric Hansotia, AGCO’s Chairman, President, and CEO, emphasized the company’s focus on technology that adapts to farmers’ current needs and scales with their future growth. “Farmers are asking for technology that fits the way they operate today and scales with them for tomorrow,” he said. This year’s Tech Day showcases how AGCO’s high-performance equipment integrates with retrofit or factory-fit precision ag tech solutions across various brands and vintages, delivering better outcomes for farmers.
One of the standout features of this year’s event is the presence of AGCO’s newest leading brand, PTx, which offers precision ag solutions at every station on the farm. These technologies are available through retrofit on existing mixed-fleet equipment, factory fit for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), or direct installation on AGCO’s leading brands, including Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra.
A significant highlight is the debut of PTx FarmENGAGE, launched in August as the ag industry’s only digital platform capable of managing farmers’ entire operations across multiple brands of equipment. This comprehensive farm management tool is set to revolutionize how farmers oversee their operations, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.
AGCO is also making strides in autonomous farming with PTx Trimble’s Outrun autonomous technology. Initially introduced for grain handling during harvest, this technology is now being demonstrated in fertilization and tillage applications on two Fendt 900 Vario tractors. The retrofit kits, available for competitive equipment as well, address labor shortages and boost efficiency, aligning with AGCO’s goal to deliver autonomous solutions for the entire crop cycle by 2030.
The event also showcases advanced harvesting technologies, including IDEALharvest, HarvestPlus, TI Headland Turn Assist, IDEALdrive, and Task Doc Pro. These solutions utilize innovative sensors and intelligent AI control algorithms to simplify harvesting operations, making them more efficient and less labor-intensive.
In the realm of weed control, AGCO presents Precision Planting’s SymphonyVision, an AI-based targeted spraying system that reduces chemical usage by up to 70%. This technology detects weeds from crops and applies the precise amount of herbicide needed, minimizing environmental impact and reducing costs. Additionally, RowPilot, an AI-guided system for mechanical weeding, improves precision application while minimizing crop damage.
Automated planting technologies from Precision Planting, such as 20|20 SeedSense, vSet, vDrive, SpeedTube, WaveVision, and DeltaForce, address common planting issues. These innovations enable immediate detection and correction of planting problems, improve seed placement, reduce operator intervention, and ensure consistent seed depth across variable field conditions.
Hansotia reiterated AGCO’s commitment to providing solutions for all farmers, regardless of the brand they use beyond the farm gate. “We offer solutions for all farmers,” he said. “This Farmer-First mindset and vision to be the trusted partner for industry-leading, smart farming solutions is why I’m confident AGCO will achieve our goal of $2 billion in precision ag sales by 2029.”
The technologies showcased at Tech Day are either commercially available today or will be in the near future. Farmers can explore these innovations online or at their local Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Valtra, Precision Planting, or PTx dealer.
AGCO will also host a presentation as part of Tech Day activities, updating the company’s strategy and providing a detailed review of AGCO’s precision ag business. The presentation on September 30 will begin at 11:05 a.m. CET and feature Eric Hansotia. Investors can listen to a live webcast of the presentation by accessing the “Events” section of the company’s Investor Relations website. The webcast will also be archived for 12 months afterward.
AGCO’s Tech Day 2023 underscores the company’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to supporting farmers with cutting-edge technologies that enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, AGCO remains at the forefront, driving the future of precision agriculture.