A new starter fertiliser placement system from John Deere could save more than 60% of the product required at planting.

Announced at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the technology uses factory-fitted sensors and robotics to spray about 0.2ml of starter fertiliser directly onto individual seeds as they are placed in the ground.

Compared to applying a constant flow of product down the seed row, Deere reckons ExactShot could save some 93m gallons of starter fertiliser annually across the US corn crop area.

See also: How to fit a fertiliser kit to a John Deere drill

This would have significant environmental benefits, preventing emissions-heavy fertiliser from encouraging weed growth and reducing the risk of leaching or run-off into waterways.

The system is currently only compatible with a handful of John Deere planters with electric drive, including the 1775NT, 1795, DB60, DB 44 and DB66. 

Electric excavator

At the same event, which is one of the biggest technology exhibitions in the world, John Deere’s chief technology officer, Jahmy Hindman, also revealed the firm’s new electric excavator, powered by a Kreisel battery.

John Deere announced it was acquiring a majority stake in Austrian battery maker Kreisel Electric in December 2021, helping to meet a growing demand for batteries in its off-highway vehicles.

© John Deere

Kreisel’s patented immersion cooling battery architecture is claimed to offer unsurpassed lifetime, enhanced safety and improved performance for battery-powered plant equipment.

Its charging technology is also said to offer faster and lower-cost connections to the electrical grid.

John Deere believes its electric excavator will provide users with lower daily operating costs, reduced site noise, enhanced reliability and zero emissions, without sacrificing power and performance.