Olathe, Kansas – John Deere announced the release of a new precision ag hardware kit – Precision Essentials – that will reduce upfront costs, making advanced precision agriculture technologies accessible to farmers, growers and ranchers, regardless of the farm size, crop or livestock focus.
The new kit includes the following hardware:
• G5 or G5Plus universal display
• StarFire 7500 receiver
• JDLink M or R modem
The Precision Essentials kit not only allows for machine automation to be executed with the latest John Deere hardware and software but also provides customers the opportunity to manage their entire farm in one place with the John Deere Operations Center. Farmers can now retrofit legacy John Deere equipment and mixed fleets with the necessary technology to accomplish gains in productivity from insights into their operation, making it easier to manage their farm.
“Today’s agricultural landscape is rapidly evolving with increasing pressures to boost yields, reduce input costs and adopt sustainable farming practices,” said Christopher Murray, John Deere go-to-market manager for embedded technology. “The Precision Essentials kit is designed to help all types of farmers, growers and ranchers address these challenges head-on with a low upfront cost that provides financial flexibility and the opportunity to recognize the benefits immediately from enhanced operational efficiency.”
The Precision Essentials kit requires an annual license with four different licensing options available:
• AutoTrac license – 2 years*
• Precision Essentials license – 1 year
• Precision Essentials license + SF-RTK – 1 year
• Advanced license – 1 year
After one year,* customers have the flexibility to renew one of the four options above or by adding the latest version(s) of the available annual license option for the Precision Essentials kit.
“The licensing options provide customers the choice to use the technology most applicable to the work they do on their farm or ranch,” Murray said. “The options also provide customers newer to precision ag technology the opportunity to try a technology and then expand as it fits their farm.”
Benefits Span Operation Types
The benefits of the new Precision Essentials kit depend on the type of operation being managed. For example, row crop farmers will benefit by utilizing the G5 family of displays and StarFire 7500 receiver to help boost in-field productivity by maximizing every pass and allowing them to make data-driven decisions within the John Deere Operations Center. The precise guidance and variable rate technology helps farmers apply inputs more accurately, helping prevent overapplication and reducing the risk of nutrient runoff, thereby protecting their investment and the environment.
For dairy and livestock operators, the M or R modem wirelessly streams data to the John Deere Operations Center, enabling them to remotely monitor field conditions, machine efficiency and health, and bale-by-bale metrics documented through their John Deere display. In addition, leveraging the precise guidance and data accuracy of the Precision Essentials kit will help achieve precise seeding, fertilization and harvest of forage crops. This results in higher feed quality, optimal forage yields and improved livestock nutrition.
High value, or specialty crop growers, managers and operators will find value in the precise guidance and data accuracy provided by the G5 family of displays and StarFire 7500 receiver. These tools help specialty crop farmers achieve optimal plant spacing, uniform growth and timely harvesting, everything that’s critical for maximizing crop quality and market value. The displays and receiver also enable accurate application of inputs such as fertilizers, water and pesticides, reducing input waste and ensuring crops receive the exact nutrients they need while minimizing environmental impact.
“Customers of all sectors can start with this Precision Essentials kit and, as their needs expand or diversify, they seamlessly integrate with more advanced precision ag technologies,” Murray said. “This scalability ensures the initial investment continues to provide value, supporting long-term goals such as expanding acreage, enhancing crop diversity or integrating advanced systems.”
The Precision Essentials kit is a good solution for farmers, growers and ranchers who have multiple brands of equipment. To help integrate the machines so precision ag technology can be utilized, visit your local John Deere dealer for all available options.
For more information, visit JohnDeere.com.