Technology innovations over the past years have allowed farmers to optimize their land and crops to remain productive and profitable. Solutions focused on sustainability throughout the farm production system can help farmers both perform their jobs more precisely and protect the environment and land for years to come.

Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® member, CES® exhibitor and Innovation Award Best of Innovation honoree John Deere works to deliver sustainable outcomes.

"We must act with urgency today to make the lives of our customers, workforce and all those we serve better tomorrow," said John C. May, chairman and chief executive officer, in the company’s 2020 Sustainability Report.

John Deere technologies and organizational initiatives are helping the agricultural — and construction — industry take concrete steps toward a more eco-friendly and smart future.

Sustainable Every Step of the Way

Through every stage of the agricultural cycle, farmers must prepare for and adjust to varying conditions while being mindful of the effect that operations can have on land, water and air. John Deere technologies help farmers more sustainably optimize their inputs, investments and operations at every step, from preparing the soil and planting the first seeds through harvesting crops.

Some current examples of John Deere sustainable technologies include:

• AutoTrac technology incorporated on John Deere tractors optimize each pass through the field as soil is prepared, reducing overlap and ensuring each inch of ground is only touched as much as needed. This results in fuel savings, reduced carbon footprints, reduced soil compaction and more.
• ExactApply spraying technology gives producers control over protecting their crops while eliminating overapplication and avoiding waterways and non-productive grounds.
• Combine Advisor incorporates vision technology and machine learning to automatically adjust combines to changing crop conditions to mitigate losses. Terrain adjustment to hilly land allows combines to maintain efficiencies while increasing yields.

Over the course of each production cycle, a John Deere customer farming 6500 acres using John Deere technologies can save more than 1600 gallons of diesel fuel, reduce herbicide application by more than 1000 gallons, avoid 400,000 kilograms of carbon emissions and more, their sustainability report highlights.

Setting Goals for the Future

John Deere has also set 2022 sustainability goals across the company with the aim of creating more sustainable outcomes for customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, shareholders and communities. From increasing the use of sustainable materials to trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the company is focused on driving tangible behaviors to accomplish environmentally friendly operations that continue to provide economic value.

These initiatives push John Deere teams to design products that go beyond performance. Throughout the design process, considerations include how to create products for longevity and recyclability, how to use environmentally friendly resources, and how to maximize usage.

John Deere is also partnering with external utilities and infrastructure policy organizations to prioritize renewable resource usage, particularly at resource-scarce locations, and is increasing recycling within company facilities to mitigate waste in internal operations.

John Deere encourages everyone to join in its efforts in sustainability as well as in other corporate commitments including diversity and inclusion, accountability in governance and more.