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.


Wheat harvest in Binscarth, Manitoba on Sept. 25, 2025. Photo: Greg Berg

The poetic epic of Manitoba farming 2025

Former Manitoba Co-operator editor John Morriss returns for his yearly poetic sum up of the farming year and look ahead into 2026

Former Manitoba Co-operator editor John Morriss returns for his yearly poetic sum up of the farming year and look ahead into 2026.



Robotti Agritechnica

The long march to autonomy

The big players in the machinery market keep adding pieces, but how far away is a final product?

The big players in the machinery market keep adding pieces towards autonomous vehicles for farming, but how far away is a final product?

Agricultural drone spreading fertilizer on a newly planted field in Argentina. Smart farm. Photo: Cristian Martin/Getty Images Plus

Canada dragging feet on drone regulations

Work to add drones to pesticide labels is ongoing, but Canadian farmers are getting fed up with the wait being imposed by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency

Canada has spent five years developing regulation and labels for drone spraying, farmers and chemical manufacturers want a clearer pathway.