John Deere has launched a new series of strip-till equipment available for order in February 2023, the company announced Monday. Tillage product manager Steve Sporrer gives us a first look at one of the new units in the video below.

Farm Equipment reported several weeks before the announcement that some Midwest John Deere dealers were already testing the new models. 

Farmers can choose from the John Deere ST12 and ST16 Integral; or ST12, ST16 and ST18 Drawn models that come from the factory ready to work in different soil and field conditions. All models offer a variety of shanks, coulters and row-spacings so the implement can be customized by the farmer to best fit their field conditions and fertilizer application needs.

Drawn models are available in 12, 16, or 18 rows, with tanks that can carry up to 10 tons of dry fertilizer. The ST12 and ST16 are available on 30-inch spacing and the ST18 is available on 20- or 22-inch spacing. Integral models are available in 12 or 16 rows and can be mounted on a 3-point hitch.

In the videos below, check out the ST16 Drawn model in action at the John Deere Training Center in Davenport, Iowa.

 
“Strip-till can improve soil health, reduce erosion and conserve soil moisture,” said Ryan Jardon, marketing manager for John Deere. “Strip-till has been shown to help farmers reduce input costs while maintaining yields and further maximizing their profitability. These new strip-till units give farmers the ability to prepare their seedbeds in the fall, so they’re ready to plant in the spring.”

Sporrer shows off freshly made strips from the ST16 Drawn model, in the video below.

Deere also introduced TruSet Active tillage technology, which utilizes a sensor located on the main frame to actively check implement working depth and field conditions during operation.

“For the first time in the history of tillage, when using TruSet Active, a farmer can automatically verify and know their tillage tool is adjusting for changing field conditions," Jardon said.

Jardon recommends pairing Deere's strip-till unit with a Deere tractor to take advantage of the company's latest precision technology.

“John Deere Active Implement Guidance ensures your strips are exactly where you want them to be, even in turns or navigating hill sides. John Deere AutoPath uses your strip-till pass as the source path, so your planter can precisely follow your strip-till rows,” Jardon said. “John Deere AutoTrac and AutoTrac Turn Automation give farmers automated control of steering, speed and implements during turns for even greater efficiency. Each field pass can then be carefully documented with that data being uploaded into the John Deere Operations Center.”

Key dates for the new John Deere Strip-Till series are listed below:

 - Public Launch: October 31
 - Ordering: February 2023
 - Shipments: Summer 2023
 - Use Season: Fall 2023

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