New Holland has created a diesel-electric autonomous tractor that has been tested in orchards and vineyards. Photo: John Greig

Autonomous machinery still struggles in the field

Manitoba research highlights how a field’s shifting terrain complicates autonomous equipment operation

Changing field terrain is a challenge for autonomous equipment. The University of Manitoba is looking at these farm-specific obstacles to adopting autonomy.

John Deere introduced its fully autonomous 8R tractor for tillage applications in 2022 and began offering it commercially on a limited basis in 2023. Photo: John Deere

VIDEO: Technical skills gap looms for agriculture

Modern farming requires more technical skills and familiarity with the incoming wave of ever-more-sophisticated farm technology; that’s a gap in agriculture’s labour force, experts worry

Agriculture is facing a wave of ever-more-sophisticated farm and food technology. Experts worry the labour pool’s technical skills may not be keeping up.