Deere & Company has deployed its smart spraying technology across more than 1 million acres of test farmland, utilizing 36 on-board cameras and machine-learning algorithms to identify and target individual weeds. In these trials, water and chemical usage fell by 50%, airborne drift decreased by 87%, and chemical runoff was cut by 93%. These efficiency gains translate into millions of dollars in annual input savings for large row-crop operations and support Deere’s strategy of selling high-value digital and precision agriculture services alongside equipment.

Building on its leadership in precision agriculture, Deere entered commercial field testing of its autonomous tractor in late 2025. The vehicle, which employs a full 360° sensor suite and edge-computing software, can navigate complex field environments without on-board operators, allowing farmers to supervise multiple machines remotely via a mobile app. Early adopters report up to a 20% increase in daily field hours during planting season, freeing skilled operators to perform maintenance and planning tasks, and setting the stage for Deere’s subscription-based autonomy services.

After a challenging year in which annual net sales fell 12% and net income declined 29%, Deere posted an 11% year-over-year increase in net sales in Q4 2025. This rebound was driven by stronger equipment deliveries in North America and accelerated uptake of technology packages, which now represent 8% of total machine revenue. Deere’s gross margin held steady at roughly 38.5%, underscoring operational leverage despite elevated R&D spend.

Deere’s research and development outlays have climbed to $2.29 billion, or 5.1% of sales over the past four years, as the company seeks to maintain its technological edge in automation and digital services. Management reiterated its commitment to investing in next-generation agricultural solutions capable of supporting a projected 60–70% increase in global crop production by 2050. Meanwhile, Deere has increased its quarterly dividend each year since 2020, resulting in a cumulative payout growth of 113% and reflecting confidence in free cash flow generation even as capital expenditures expand.