Specialty Crops

Machinery News: John Deere Debuts Forage Harvesters, Ecorobotix Lettuce Algorithm, Kubota-Agtonomy Deal

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:10:19 GMT

John Deere has announced the launch of new F8 and F9 Series self-propelled forage harvesters, which the manufacturer says are built from the ground up with customer input to elevate forage performance and farm productivity.

Deere says the new F9 Series comes in two engine options — John Deere 18X and Liebherr V12 24L — with five horsepower options ranging from 700PS to 1020PS; the F8 Series comes with the JD14X engine bringing six horsepower options, ranging from 425PS to 645PS.

It also says the new machines offer improved automation with a higher level of comprehensive technology offerings compared with previous models.

The technology options include:

Ground speed automation — Deere also offers this feature on new S7 combines. The manufacturer says it helps maintain ideal load and prevent operator stress by adjusting ground speed in real time based on crop conditions.
ProTouch Harvest — A feature allowing operators to initiate multiple harvest-ready settings with the push of a button, while Active Fill Control ensures consistent truck fills even under the toughest harvesting conditions.

(John Deere)

“A higher-quality forage output with more power, more precision and more uptime, that’s the focus of the new forage harvesters for our customers,” said Bergen Nelson, John Deere go-to-market manager for harvesting equipment. “We’ve combined our strongest hardware with our newest and smartest precision ag technology to create higher-quality forage.”

More information on the new F8 and F9 Series SPFHs is available from a local John Deere dealer or deere.com.

Check out this test drive video from Farmworld_TV!

Specialty crop AI tech startup Ecorobtix unveils lettuce-thinning algorithm

Ecorobotix has announced the launch of its new lettuce-thinning algorithm, expanding the capabilities of its ARA Ultra High Precision (UHP) Sprayer to offer what it claims is one of the most advanced automated thinning solutions on the market.

The new functionality is available to ARA users via a software license.

“We’ve combined the power of AI with the reliability of ARA’s ultra-high precision spraying platform to eliminate one of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks in the field: thinning,” said Katerina Lee, regional crop care manager for Ecorobotix.

Ecorobotix says its algorithm enables users to replace manual labor, grow crops with superior uniformity and cover fields faster than hand-labor crews.

Learn more here.

Kubota-Agtonomy join forces to develop autonomous specialty crop machinery

Kubota North America has announced a collaboration agreement with Agtonomy, an agricultural autonomy software provider, to commercialize autonomous operations on Kubota diesel tractors for spraying and mowing.

Kubota says the partnership reflects its commitment to pioneering solutions and equipping growers with smart technology.

“Our working relationship with Agtonomy represents a significant milestone toward commercializing our vision for autonomy by merging our expertise and technology with Agtonomy’s autonomous platform,” said Brett McMickell, chief technology officer for Kubota North America.

The initial phase of the partnership will focus on integrating Agtonomy’s capabilities with Kubota’s M5N specialty crop diesel tractor.

Learn more about Kubota’s vision for autonomous technology in farming here.

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U.S. Commerce Sec. Ross: U.S.-Mexico Trade Deal Reached, Duties Averted

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:58:25 GMT

The US and Mexico have reached agreement in principle on sugar trade issues between the two countries that will allow Mexican sugar access to the U.S. market as before and will suspend US antidumping and antisubsidy duties against imports of Mexican sugar, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced in Washington.

Mexico agreed to “nearly every” request from the U.S. to fix issues under the prior sugar deal, Ross said, and it bodes well for longer-term relations between the two countries. “We have gotten the Mexican side to agree to nearly every request made by US industry to address flaws in the current system and ensure fair treatment of American sugar growers and refiners,” He said. Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and his colleagues “have been honest and collaborative partners in seeking a fair and sustainable solution – this bodes well for our long-term relationship,” Ross added.

Plus, Ross noted the package will address US concerns and will avert negative impacts to other industries such as confectioners and corn producers. However, Ross noted the US sugar industry is “not on board” with the agreement. However, he added there would be a final drafting stage, during which the two sides would try to make it easier for US sugar producers to “come on board” with the deal.

“Unfortunately, despite all of these gains, the US sugar industry has said it is unable to support the new agreement, but we remain hopeful that further progress can be made during the drafting process,” Ross observed. “We look forward to continuing discussions with them as we finalize the agreement. We remain confident that this deal defends American workers across many industries and is the best way to ensure stability and growth.”

The draft amendments, if finalized, would update certain provisions, such as, in the countervailing duty (CVD) agreement, the ratio between the quantities of Refined and Other Sugar that Mexico may export to the United States during a given export limit period, and the polarity division between the two types of sugar, according to information from the US Commerce Department

Further, in the antidumping (AD) agreement, Commerce said the minimum prices of Other Sugar and Refined Sugar would be higher to ensure that Mexican sugar imports do not suppress or undercut domestic price levels, in accordance with statutory requirements. The reference price for Other Sugar is being raised from 22.25 cents per pound to a level of 23 cents per pound, while the Refined Sugar price is being raised from 26 cents per pound to a price of 28 cents per pound.

There are also enhanced monitoring and enforcement provisions such as a requirement for polarity testing and stiff penalties for non-compliance, Commerce said. The AD and CVD Agreements signed by the Department and the Mexican government in December 2014 differentiated between “Refined Sugar” at a polarity of 99.5 degrees and above, and “Other Sugar” at a polarity less than 99.5 degrees, and provided that no more than 53 percent of Mexican exports could be of Refined Sugar.

The new deal defines “Refined Sugar” as sugar at a polarity of 99.2 degrees and above, and “Other Sugar” as sugar at a polarity less than 99.2 degrees and shipped in bulk, according to the Commerce Department. There are also shipping conditions for Other Sugar with provisions to address concerns regarding ensuring an adequate supply of sugar in the US market, and concerns that a large portion of Other Sugar is bypassing cane refiners for direct consumption or end use.

Because these changes substantially decrease the proportion of sugar from Mexico that may be Refined Sugar and mean that a higher reference price applies to semi-refined sugar, Commerce said, there is a greater likelihood that sufficient sugar for further processing would be available in the US market.

“This agreement protects American workers and consumers and marks a dramatic improvement for the US sugar industry,” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement. “The accord sharply reduces the percentage of Mexican refined sugar that may be imported into the United States and also lowers the polarity dividing line between refined and raw sugar. We also achieved better pricing agreements for the industry. And significantly, the agreement requires that raw Mexican sugar be shipped flowing freely in the holds of ocean-going vessels, rather than being shipped in packages or by land. Finally, it is of great importance that USDA will have the flexibility to protect the U.S. sugar industry by making polarity adjustments in the event of extraordinary or unforeseen circumstances. These are important wins in the negotiations, and I congratulate President Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for their tenacity.”

The deal also “prevented potentially significant and retaliatory actions by the Mexican sugar industry and sets an important tone of good faith leading up to the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement,” Perdue said. “I maintain that if the rules are fair and the playing field is level, American agricultural products will succeed, thrive, and lead the way.”

U.S. sugar growers said they are worried that a “loophole” in the preliminary sugar trade deal undermines the entire agreement and damages USDA’s ability to operate the sugar price-support program. Sugar growers fear the agreement, as it currently stands, gives Mexico too much of the existing U.S. power to determine the “type and polarity” of any additional sugar that needs to be imported to meet U.S. domestic demand. Polarity refers to the purity of sugar, including whether it is classified as raw or refined. “Mexico could exploit this loophole to continue to dump subsidized sugar into the U.S. market and short U.S. refineries of raw sugar inputs,” Phillip Hayes, a spokesman for the American Sugar Alliance, said in a statement. “It is important to note that the U.S. sugar industry has made substantial compromises throughout the negotiations,” Hayes continued. “That includes giving Mexico 100 percent of additional U.S. needs on the condition that the U.S. government retains its authority to regulate additional imports into the U.S. market.”

The sugar growers, however, commended Commerce Secretary Ross for making progress toward reaching a deal and said they will work with him “in the coming days to see if that loophole can be effectively closed.”

What are the Key Elements of the Deal?

The Department of Commerce and the Government of Mexico (GOM) and the Mexican sugar industry have reached agreement on draft amendments to the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) suspension agreements on sugar from Mexico.

The draft amendments, if finalized, would update certain provisions, such as, in the CVD agreement, the ratio between the quantities of Refined and Other Sugar that Mexico may export to the United States during a given export limit period, and the polarity division between the two types of sugar.

Further, in the AD agreement, the minimum prices of Other Sugar and Refined Sugar would be higher to ensure that Mexican sugar imports do not suppress or undercut domestic price levels, in accordance with statutory requirements.

Finally, each agreement would contain enhanced monitoring and enforcement provisions such as a requirement for polarity testing and stiff penalties for non-compliance.

Each of these elements of the draft amendments, if finalized, would ensure that the agreements provide an adequate remedy to the US domestic sugar industry against the dumping and unfair subsidization determined in the investigations.

In addition, the amendments will ensure that the sugar suspension agreements continue to promote stability in the US sugar market, in coordination with USDA’s sugar program.

What are the Improvements and How Do They Address the Problems?

The AD and CVD Agreements signed by the Department and the GOM in December 2014 differentiated between “Refined Sugar” at a polarity of 99.5 degrees and above, and “Other Sugar” at a polarity less than 99.5 degrees, and provided that no more than 53 percent of Mexican exports could be of Refined Sugar.

By contrast, the draft amendments define “Refined Sugar” as sugar at a polarity of 99.2 degrees and above, and “Other Sugar” as sugar at a polarity less than 99.2 degrees and shipped in bulk, freely flowing.

These changes, which move the dividing line between Refined and Other Sugar down to 99.2 from 99.5 degrees, and add shipping conditions for Other Sugar, address concerns regarding ensuring an adequate supply of sugar in the U.S. market, and concerns that a large portion of Other Sugar is bypassing cane refiners for direct consumption or end use.

Specifically, the petitioners have asserted that the sale of Mexican semi-refined sugar subject (to which the lower reference price of Other Sugar set in the AD Agreement applies) hinders the competitiveness of U.S. cane refiners by substantively diminishing the supply of Mexican sugar for their processing operations, and suppressing U.S. prices for refined sugar.

Because these changes substantially decrease the proportion of Sugar from Mexico that may be Refined Sugar and mean that a higher reference price applies to semi-refined sugar, there is a greater likelihood that sufficient sugar for further processing would be available in the U.S. market.

For post-April 1 additional needs sugar (over the expected fiscal year U.S. needs) granted to Mexico, USDA will specify whether raw or refined sugar is needed but at a polarity divide of 99.5 and without regard to the pre-April 1 70/30 split. Importantly, when additional needs sugar is granted to Mexico prior to April 1, such sugar shall be subject to the pre-April 1 70/30 split and the 99.2 polarity divide, added protections for U.S. domestic refiners. Further, USDA retains the flexibility to specify the polarity of post-April 1 additional needs sugar specifically needed to rectify certain extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances that seriously threaten the economic viability of the U.S. sugar refining industry.

Further, the reference price for Other Sugar is being raised from 22.25 cents/pound to 23 cents/pound, while the Refined Sugar price is being raised from 26 cents/pound to 28 cents/pound.

In addition, the spread between the two prices has increased. This enhanced pricing structure serves to ensure that U.S. producers’ prices are not suppressed or undercut by imports of Mexican sugar, thereby ensuring that the agreements provide an adequate remedy to the U.S. domestic industry found to have been injured.

First Thing Today: Risk Aversion Overnight

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 02:37:03 GMT

Good morning!

Risk aversion weighs on markets overnight... Rains moving across Iowa early this morning as well as unease about a possible trade announcement from the Trump administration weighed on the grain and oilseed markets overnight. As of 6:30 a.m. CT, corn is down 3 to 4 cents, soybeans are 8 to 9 cents lower, winter wheat is posting losses of 6 to 8 cents, and spring wheat is down 11 to 17 cents. Outside markets are also price-negative, with the U.S. dollar index posting moderate gains and crude oil futures under pressure.

Forecast remains non-threatening... Rains over the weekend favored North Dakota and Nebraska as well as Ohio, and rains are moving across Minnesota and the northern half of Iowa early this morning. While temperatures are expected to warm a bit this week, no threatening heat is anticipated. Plus dry areas of Iowa and Illinois are expected to see some relief. The National Weather Service forecast for Aug. 19-23 calls for wet weather across the western Corn Belt and into northwest Illinois. Much of the eastern Belt is expected to see normal precip. Warm temps are expected from Minnesota, Iowa and northern Missouri eastward. Normal temps are likely elsewhere across the Midwest.

Legislative agenda for remainder of FY 2017... Congress remains on its long summer recess but a big workload awaits them on their return after Labor Day. The House has only 12 working days before the end of September when a new fiscal year (FY) begins; the Senate has 16 days. The legislative agenda when lawmakers return includes: (1) a bill raising the debt ceiling; (2) spending bills to keep the government open; (3) Extensions for expiring programs on Sept. 30, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the coast Guard, and others; and (4) a budget resolution setting overall spending levels for FY 2018 and one which will allow the Senate to use a filibuster-busting mechanism that could allow a tax bill to pass with just 51 votes. Also of note, North American Free Trade Agreement talks will take place Aug. 16-30 in Washington.

Update on North Korea... U.S./North Korea anxiety continues, but the focus will be on whether the situation eases somewhat after President Donald Trump late Friday talked with China’s leader. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Trump to exercise restraint over tensions with North Korea, Chinese state media reported. The two leaders vowed to remain in close touch over the situation, state media said. The Associated Press reports that Joseph Yun, the U.S. envoy for North Korea policy, has been in regular contact with Pak Song Il, a senior North Korean diplomat at the country’s mission at the United Nations. The AP report indicated the discussions had not eased fears of a military confrontation, but could prove a foundation for negotiations going forward.

Politico: Admin to announce probe into China’s alleged violation of IP rights today... An investigation into China over allegations it violated U.S. intellectual property (IP) rights and forced technology transfers will be unveiled Monday, Politico reported, citing an unidentified administration official. Of note, there will be no immediate action against China following the president’s signing of the memorandum, but the steps will authorize U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to determine if an investigation of Beijing’s laws, practices or actions is warranted. Senior administration officials denied that the memorandum is part of a coordinated effort by the White House to pressure its largest trading partner to be more aggressive in getting North Korea to curb its threats of ballistic missile action against allies in the region and the U.S. territory of Guam. A Chinese state newspaper said this “could trigger a trade war.” Read more .

Sugar producer challenges U.S./Mexico trade deal... lCSC Sugar LLC has filed a court case challenging a U.S./Mexico trade suspension deal that prevented U.S. duties on Mexican sugar. The two countries signed a deal in June that limits the amount of refined sugar Mexico could ship to the U.S., sets minimum prices to prevent sugar imports from undercutting domestic prices, and stopped the U.S. from imposing anti-dumping or countervailing duties. The company, which has operations in Mexico and the U.S., has yet to file a complaint laying out its claims.

New corn-only ethanol plant in Brazil first of its kind... On Friday, Brazil’s FS Bioenergia launched the country’s first ethanol plant that solely processes corn. The Mato Grosso-based plant is expected to produce around 240 million liters (63.4 million gallons) of the biofuel each year, as well as 6,200 MT of corn oil and 60,000 megawatts of power. It emphasizes the country’s need to find outlets for its growing corn crop. The industry is dominated by sugar cane-based ethanol, with around 360 plants processing cane.

Momentum still favors market bears in cattle market... Cattle futures sustained technical damage last week and momentum still favors market bears. That said, pressure could be limited by the discount the August contract still holds to the cash market. But cash prices could also slide going forward as supplies are building. Dressed cattle weights narrowed their discount to year-ago in the latest reporting period, though they remain well under year-ago levels.

October lean hogs well below cash index... August lean hogs go off the board at noon today, so the October contract’s still wide (nearly $17) discount to the cash hog index will garner increased attention. That could lead to additional corrective gains this week.

Weekend demand news... Saudi Arabia bought 660,000 MT of animal feed barley in a tender where Europe, the Black Sea, North and South America and Australia presented offers.

Today’s reports:

10:00 a.m., Weekly Export Inspections -- AMS
11:00 a.m., Cotton & Wool Outlook: August 2017 -- ERS
11:00 a.m., Oil Crops Outlook: August 2017 -- ERS
2:00 p.m., Feed Outlook: August 2017 -- ERS
2:00 p.m., pm Wheat Outlook: August 2017 -- ERS
3:00 p.m., Crop Progress -- NASS