Precision Ag Technology

Precision Farming : Frequently Asked Question

Precision Agriculture, Precision Farming and Smart Farming: What’s the difference?

There are lots of different terms used by different manufacturers for data analysis of farm machinery and crop data. Some are marketing names designed to make one system look better than another. The truth is all the names are interchangeable.

John Deere uses the term Precision Ag which is the oldest and most common name. Having been the first company to launch the StarFire precision guidance system in 1998, we’ve been promoting it longer than anyone else.

What matters is not the name but is it easy to use, is it reliable and can I trust the accuracy of the data. On this website we can share with you the different capabilities and systems we offer, but the best solution is to talk to a Precision Ag expert at your nearest John Deere dealer.

They’ll be able to help get you started and support you on your journey with this powerful new technology.

I want to get started with precision agriculture. Who can help me?

Your local John Deere dealer has professionally trained precision ag specialists who can help get you started. They can advise on choosing the right machine or help you to get more from your current machines. They can also help you set up all your machines in the John Deere Operations Center™ and show you how you can share data from other sources you may have to build a better understanding of the specific requirements of your farming operation.

Can I install John Deere Precision Ag Technology on other machine brands?

Yes. The level of functionality depends on the model of the machine. There are a range of different conversions for AutoTrac steering available which cover most machines on the market. Please talk to your dealer for details.

How much do smart farming systems cost?

There are 4 essential components you need to get started with John Deere Precision Ag Technology.

John Deere Operations Center™ – Free

JDLink Connectivity – Free on all new John Deere machines

If you wish to upgrade an older John Deere or other brand of machine with JDLink, please talk to your dealer as the cost is dependent on the machine

Receiver – Included on some John Deere machines

A StarFire receiver is included as standard on 8 and 9 Series tractors and X-Series combines. On all other John Deere machines and different brands of machine it’s an optional extra. Please talk to your dealer to find out what offers are available

Display – Included on some John Deere machines

The latest displays are included as standard on all new machines. You can also buy additional displays for John Deere machines and other brands.

Ask your dealer for a cost estimate and look out for any special deals.

I’m already using a farming software package, what happens to my data?

The John Deere Operations Center™ uses a common data exchange standard and connects to over 200 agricultural software providers. This means you can easily share data you already have in other software applications with machine and crop data stored in the Operations Center. Think of it like your smartphone, where you can share messages and photos with lots of different apps and other smartphones.

Data is securely backed-up in multiple locations which comply with industry leading standards for data protection and security. You control access to your data and it can only be viewed by other third parties such as co-workers, advisors or your dealer with your own permission.

This openness is one of the real power of John Deere Precision Ag Technology. Why not let your dealer show you how easy this is?

What are the benefits of smart farming?

There are three main benefits:

Higher yields
Smart or precision farming optimises the relationship between input and yield by better targeting of inputs to individual site conditions and crop needs. This improves potential crop yields and/or lowers the amount of inputs such as seed, chemicals or fertilisers.
Improved financial returns
Improving product quality and revenue while reducing costs contributes to higher overall margins and potential profit. In addition, utilising smart farming technologies supports decision-making and input application. This reduces workload for both farm managers and machine drivers.
Better sustainability
By using precisely the right amount of materials and maximising the efficiency of different applications, smart farming reduces the amount of fuel for machinery as well as the amount of fertiliser and crop protection products released into the environment. This improves the sustainability of farming by minimising potential environmental effects such as fertiliser leaching into groundwater and damage to environmental habitats.

Do I have to pay a subscription?

Every new John Deere machines gives you free JDLink connectivity for life.

Whilst the standard SF1 (30 cm pass to pass) satellite guidance signal is free, if you want higher accuracy such as StarFire RTK (2.5 cm), you will need to pay an additional fee for each receiver. Please ask your dealer for the different pricing options.

What satellite signals does John Deere StarFire use?

The latest StarFire receiver can use the GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo satellite systems. What’s important to know is that John Deere was the first agriculture company to develop satellite guidance when we launched StarFire in 1998. To do this we had to build our own network of approximately 60 base stations around the world to ensure the accuracy of the signal. This gives us a unique position in the market with our own dedicated system.