Greenway Equipment welcomed guests to its Tech Farm in Newport for the region’s first public demonstration of the John Deere Fully-Autonomous Tractor, during the Greenway Technology Showcase.
Attendees—including farmers, legislators, media, and ag industry partners—witnessed how John Deere’s cutting-edge autonomous technologies are shaping the future of agriculture. The event featured live demonstrations of the autonomous 8R tractor, See & Spray™ precision spraying system, Weave Automation, and other advanced systems now available through Greenway.
“This was a milestone moment not just for Greenway, but for agriculture in our region,” said Bill Midkiff, CEO of Greenway Equipment. “We were proud to be the first to show how this level of autonomy can work on local farms and how these technologies can give producers back their most valuable resource—time.”
The John Deere autonomous system is currently available as a precision upgrade for Model Year 2022 and newer 9R and 9RX tractors, as well as Model Year 2021 and newer 8R and 8RX tractors. Select Model Year 2025 tractors come autonomy-ready from the factory. The system features 16 roof-mounted cameras that provide a 360-degree view, enabling the tractor and tillage tool to safely navigate and operate without human input in the field.
“Autonomy doesn’t mean replacing the farmer—it’s about empowering them,” said Dr. Jeff Barnes, Vice President of Technology at Greenway. “This technology allows farmers to finish more work in less time, extend their working windows, and reallocate labor to higher-value tasks when it matters most.”
To support a smooth transition into autonomous operations, John Deere has integrated these systems with tools many producers already use, including AutoPath™, AutoTrac™ Turn Automation, and the John Deere Operations Center™ Mobile.
For more information about autonomous farming solutions and upcoming events, visit Greenway Equipment’s website.
