The Davidson Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in agricultural engineering, was presented at Commodity Classic 2025 on Sunday, recognizing three groundbreaking innovations that are transforming modern farming.
Now in its 8th year, the Davidson Prize — named after J.B. Davidson, the father of modern agricultural engineering—celebrates cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of agriculture. This award is a collaboration between ASABE and the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers to recognize outstanding achievements in agricultural engineering.
About the Davidson Award
Noting that it was established to “celebrate the best of the best,” the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) offers the following description of the coveted Davidson Award from when it was first established in 2018.
ASABE has partnered with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to create an award that celebrates extraordinary innovation and impact in agricultural, food, and biological systems. The products represent the diversity of engineering and technology, as well as the variety of companies that continue to bring advanced technology and exciting improvements to the marketplace.
The Davidson Prize is named for J.B. Davidson, the father of modern agricultural engineering. Dr. Davidson was the first person to combine the great professions of agriculture and engineering. It gives a nod to the storied past of agricultural engineering and pays homage to those engineers, like J.B. Davidson, who aspire to find a better way.
Davidson Prize winners are selected annually from AE50 award winners and thus represent the best of the year's newly introduced products. A maximum of three prizes are awarded each year, selected from the ten top-scoring AE50 winners. Winners are projected to have a significant impact on agricultural production, efficiency, or safety.
Winners in 2024 were: Claas Disco 9700 RC Auto Swather; Claas CEMOS for Tractors; and Danfoss Power Solutions’ EC-C1700B-420 Electric Converter.
To be eligible for AE50 awards and the Davidson Prize, products must have been introduced for the first time, made commercially available, and advertised for sale between January 1 and December 31 of the award year.
The 2025 Davidson Prize winners include:
- Bondioli & Pavesi Inc. – E.D.I. (Electronic Data Interchange) Driveshaft — This groundbreaking technology improves power transmission efficiency while providing real-time monitoring and diagnostics, ensuring optimal performance in the field.
- PTx Trimble – OutRun — This autonomous tractor platform that works with existing tractors, helps farms with the increasing problem of labor shortages by running a grain cart or auger wagon without a driver. By harvesting more efficiently, farms preserve more yields and increase on-farm profits.
- CNH America – IntelliSense Bale Automation & Large Square Baler Automation — This technology revolutionizes hay and forage harvesting by automating key baling functions, ensuring consistent bale quality, reducing operator workload, and optimizing productivity.
“These winners exemplify the future of agricultural engineering,” said Doug Otto, President-Elect of ASABE, who hosted the presentation. “Each of these technologies demonstrates a commitment to solving real-world challenges for farmers and advancing the industry in meaningful ways.”
The Davidson Prize, established in partnership between the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), celebrates innovations that improve efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in agriculture.
“The Davidson Prize recognizes innovations that have a lasting impact on the way we grow and harvest food,” said Curt Blades, Senior Vice President, Industry Sectors & Product Leadership at AEM. “This year’s winners are leading the way in automation, precision agriculture, and power transmission, helping farmers operate more efficiently and sustainably.”
The Davidson Prize selection process begins with the AE50 Awards, presented annually at the Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference, which highlight the year’s most innovative designs in engineering for agricultural, food, and biological systems.
To read more about the other AE50 Award winners, read Farm Equipment's coverage from the January issue of the magazine.
