What new smart farming use cases emerged in the last 45 days?

Field-scale pilots in December showcased AI vision for variable-rate spraying, autonomous harvest workflows, and direct-to-cell satellite connectivity for remote sensors. John Deere’s See & Spray features advanced targeting, CNH Industrial’s Raven platform expanded autonomous cart operations, and Starlink began limited direct-to-cell service for messaging and IoT data. Specialty crops also saw laser weeding deployments from Carbon Robotics, and MRV integrations for regenerative practice verification from Bayer and Arable.

Where are growers seeing measurable ROI from these deployments?

Growers reported 15–35% reductions in herbicide use with AI-driven spraying compared to broadcast applications, consistent with precision-ag outcomes cited by Reuters. Autonomy reduces operator hours during harvest, while satellite-to-cell links enable sensor backhaul where coverage is poor. MRV and traceability features are unlocking sustainability premiums and reducing audit time, with vendors like Bayer Crop Science and Arable adding integrated reporting workflows.

How does satellite-to-cell improve smart farming connectivity?

Direct-to-cell services, such as Starlink’s offering, connect devices to satellites using standard LTE modems, enabling messaging and IoT data without terrestrial towers. This is critical for distributed sensors, livestock tags, and machine diagnostics across large or remote fields. The December limited service start provides a practical pathway to synchronize telemetry and alerts, filling gaps where rural connectivity has constrained deployments and data-driven decision making.

What challenges remain for scaling these use cases?

Integration across mixed fleets and proprietary data ecosystems remains complex and costly. Vendors like Trimble are addressing this with API-driven interoperability and telematics that centralize data from varied OEMs. Reliability of connectivity—especially during peak seasons—also matters; direct-to-cell can complement terrestrial networks, but bandwidth and device management will need careful planning. Finally, robust MRV requires consistent data capture and standards to satisfy buyers and regulators.

What is the near-term outlook for procurement and deployment?

Procurement cycles over winter are expected to prioritize bundles that pair AI vision sprayers or weeding robots with connectivity and analytics for machine uptime and agronomy. Analysts suggest the fastest near-term wins will be in targeted input reduction, irrigation optimization, and traceability reporting. As pilots convert to production, expect more implement-agnostic control, standardized data pipelines, and satellite-to-cell integrations supporting sensor networks and mixed-fleet operations by the 2026 growing season.

Ag Tech Steps Into Production: Deere, CNH, and Starlink Pilot New Smart Farming Use Cases

In the past month, smart farming moved from proof-of-concept to field-scale pilots as OEMs, connectivity providers, and crop science leaders introduced AI-driven spraying, satellite-to-cell links, and autonomous workflows. New deployments reveal emerging use cases with measurable impact on inputs, labor, and traceability.

Published: December 21, 2025 By Aisha Mohammed Category: Smart Farming

Ag Tech Steps Into Production: Deere, CNH, and Starlink Pilot New Smart Farming Use Cases

Executive Summary

Field-scale pilots in December show AI vision, autonomy, and satellite-to-cell connectivity advancing from trials to production, with early adopters reporting 15–35% input savings in targeted spraying and weeding, according to industry sources (Reuters technology coverage).
Connectivity emerged as a bottleneck and opportunity: Direct-to-cell satellite links began limited service, enabling sensor backhaul without towers, per Starlink.
Specialty crops are seeing rapid robotization with laser weeding and automated harvest support, as noted by recent company updates from Carbon Robotics and orchard pilots covered by TechCrunch.
Regenerative agriculture MRV (measurement, reporting, verification) software is being embedded into input platforms to qualify carbon and sustainability premiums, with new integrations announced by Bayer Crop Science and agronomic data providers Arable.

AI Vision and Autonomy Shift From Demo to Daily Use In the last 45 days, equipment makers and precision-ag startups reported expanded deployments of AI-driven variable-rate application and autonomy kits that cut herbicide use and reduce labor in row crops. Field teams testing upgraded computer vision sprayers in December cited double-digit reductions in herbicide volumes versus broadcast applications, with ranges of 20–40% depending on weed pressure and crop stage, consistent with prior outcomes from systems like John Deere See & Spray. Deere’s recent updates on autonomy and precision features underscore OEM momentum in integrating perception and actuation at scale (Deere newsroom).

Specialty crop operations are leaning on robotics for labor-intensive tasks. Laser weeding platforms continued to expand footprints in December orchard and vegetable pilots, with growers citing fewer mechanical passes and lower hand-weeding hours, per company updates from Carbon Robotics. CNH Industrial, through its precision brand Raven, has been promoting autonomous cart and field workflows that sync machine guidance, vision, and implement control; its latest communications highlight increased automation across planting and harvest (CNH Industrial media).

Satellites Meet Sensors: Direct-To-Cell Connectivity Hits the Field...

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