In an unprecedented move for large-scale agriculture, U.S. Sugar-one of America's largest sugarcane producers-has formed a strategic alliance with Everglades Equipment Group, a major John Deere dealership, to implement cutting-edge precision agriculture technologies across 255,000 acres in southern Florida.

According to company leadership, the aim is to push the limits of agricultural innovation and reduce production costs while increasing efficiency and environmental sustainability. Backed by Deere's hardware and Everglades' service support, the project is set to optimize fuel use, input application, and field productivity.

Among the deployed technologies:

• JDLink provides real-time connectivity between field equipment and the Operations Center, improving fleet oversight and data integration.

• Work Plans simplify job assignment by uploading field boundaries, guidance lines, and task maps remotely.

• Efficiency Manager and onboard tech help engines run at optimal loads, cutting fuel consumption.

• Fertilizer applicators with row-by-row precision minimize chemical overlaps and reduce waste.

• Drone-based T3rra Cutta landforming improves water retention and soil leveling.

• Enhanced sugarcane harvesters include auto idle, Smart Clean, and base height control, leading to up to 12% fuel savings per hour and more uniform cane quality.

However, the most innovative element of the partnership is a joint research and development program focused on creating a fully autonomous tractor solution. While still under testing, autonomy is seen as the next frontier in improving operational scale, addressing labor shortages, and boosting productivity.

According to U.S. Sugar's Precision Ag Manager, early benefits are already evident. The company has seen a 15-20% reduction in field overlap and significant time savings thanks to wireless data syncing. Operators now receive real-time updates and can monitor machine health remotely.

While full autonomy is not yet commercial, the team is close. Tractor movement is nearly autonomous, though implement sensing-on tools like planters and disc drills-is still being developed. In the interim, operators remain in the cab, but are expected to evolve into remote overseers of multiple machines as technology advances.

Ultimately, this high-level collaboration supports U.S. Sugar's strategy to remain America's lowest-cost sugar producer. At the same time, it provides a real-world testbed for John Deere and Everglades Equipment to refine and scale precision and autonomous ag technologies for broader use across the U.S. farm sector.