Agriculture Technology Podcast

Host Tony Kramer sits down with Michael Porter, Go-To-Market Manager of Large Tractors and Tillage at John Deere, to break down the brand-new John Deere 8R and John Deere 8RX tractors. The new 440, 490 and 540 models were redesigned from the ground up with a larger frame, JD14 engine, EVT transmission and the ability to electrically power planters directly from the tractor.

After two full seasons running John Deere See & Spray, North Dakota grower Jarred Billedeu joins Agriculture Technology Podcast host Tony Kramer to share what the technology actually delivered in the field. This episode goes beyond specs to break down how See & Spray fits into an active operation, what surprised Jarred most and what he’d tell other growers still on the fence.
The conversation also touches on ExactShot fertilizer technology and harvest automation, and how those tools are shaping day-to-day decisions across the operation

In this episode of the Agriculture Technology Podcast, host Tony Kramer sits down with Tyler Zima, Product Manager for Tillage and Autonomy at RDO Equipment Co., to break down John Deere’s autonomous tillage solution and what it actually looks like in the field today. After two years, four tillage seasons and more than 13,000 autonomous acres covered, Tony and Tyler share real-world insights from working directly with customers across multiple operations. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Which equipment is compatible with John Deere autonomous tillage • How Precision Upgrade Kits (PUKs) allow existing equipment to run autonomously • How autonomous tillage is operated using Ops Center Mobile • What happens when the machine encounters dust, water, objects or people • What RDO and our customers have learned after multiple seasons in the field • How autonomous tillage can improve flexibility and quality of life on the farm • Where autonomy is headed next and what customers should consider before adopting

2025 was a breakthrough year for agriculture technology, and we’re closing it out with a look at the biggest innovations shaping the industry. In the final Agriculture Technology Podcast episode of the year, host Tony Kramer sits down with Daryl Shelton, RDO’s EVP of Agriculture, to reflect on the top advancements of 2025 and share what’s ahead for 2026. Key highlights from their conversation: • John Deere + Sentera imagery: This acquisition is improving the full imagery workflow, from UAV capture to prescriptions and in-season decisions • See & Spray ROI: Real-world results include major input cost reductions and accelerated adoption • Monosem + SeedStar™ 2: Bringing Deere tech to specialty-crop planters for the visibility growers have been asking for • Autonomous Tillage Insights: What 2025 trials revealed and how customers are preparing for the next step in 2026 The future of farming is here. Listen now to see what it looks like and how precision agriculture is evolving.

Customizable planters, advanced John Deere integration and the NEW MS Electron electric drive system — Monosem is redefining precision planting across every crop. 
In this episode of the Agriculture Technology Podcast, host Tony Kramer talks with Clint Sedlacek from Monosem USA about how Monosem’s planter lineup delivers flexibility and innovation for growers around the world. 
Tony and Clint cover: 
• How Monosem planters are customized for everything from broad-acre to specialty crop operations 
• The flexibility behind models like the ValoTerra, NG Plus, NC and MS 
• How John Deere SeedStar and Operations Center enhance real-time planter data and control 
• Why Monosem’s design approach helps growers adapt to unique crop spacing and field conditions 
• What the MS Electron means for the future of electric-drive planter performance 
🎧 Listen in to learn how Monosem and RDO Equipment Co. are helping farmers customize planters for their operation and stay ahead of precision ag technology.