From Tractors to Tech Titans: How John Deere is Using AI to Farm Smarter (and Why Your Business Should Too)
- Michael McAteer
- Apr 27
- 2 min read

When you think of cutting-edge AI, your mind probably doesn’t go straight to a cornfield in Iowa, but maybe it should.
Because while Silicon Valley is busy building the metaverse, John Deere—yes, that John Deere—is quietly transforming farming into one of the smartest, most tech-driven industries out there. And they’re doing it not with flying cars, but with tractors, sensors, satellites, and some seriously impressive AI.
Let’s dig into how this classic American company is using artificial intelligence to work smarter—and what you can learn from them to grow your own business. 🇺🇸
🚜 Smarter Spraying with AI + Computer Vision
One of the most mind-blowing innovations is John Deere’s See & Spray™ technology. Picture this: instead of spraying an entire field with herbicide, the sprayer uses AI-powered cameras and computer vision to detect individual weeds in real time and spray only what’s necessary.
The result? Farmers can cut herbicide use by up to 90%. That’s not just good for the wallet—it’s a win for the environment, too.
It’s AI doing what it does best: saving time, reducing waste, and increasing precision. If that’s not working smarter, we don’t know what is.
📡 Data-Driven Farming: AI + IoT + Satellites
John Deere has also turned its machinery into rolling data centers. Tractors, planters, and combines are equipped with sensors that collect real-time data on everything from soil quality to fuel efficiency.
These machines send information to the cloud, where AI analyzes it alongside weather forecasts, GPS data, and historical yields. Farmers then get customized recommendations on when to plant, where to irrigate, and how to boost production.
It’s not just farming anymore—it’s precision agriculture. Think less “old MacDonald,” more “MacData.” 😀
🛠️ Predictive Maintenance: Fix It Before It Breaks
Another smart move? Predictive maintenance. John Deere uses AI to monitor the health of its equipment and alert farmers before something goes wrong.
That means fewer surprise breakdowns in the middle of harvest season—and more uptime when it matters most. It's the kind of proactive thinking that saves both time and money.
🌾 What’s the Lesson for Small Businesses?
Here’s the thing: John Deere isn’t just throwing buzzwords around. They’re using AI to solve real problems for real people. They’ve shown that you don’t have to be a software company to innovate—and you don’t need to be in Silicon Valley to lead.
Whether you’re selling handmade furniture or managing a dental practice, there are smart, accessible AI tools that can help you work faster, market better, and make data-backed decisions.
And that’s where we come in.
🚀 Big Ideas, Big Results—with BIG Gravity Marketing
At BIG Gravity Marketing, we help small businesses tap into the power of AI—without needing a team of data scientists or a tech degree. From smarter social media strategies to automated customer journeys, we use AI to turn your goals into growth.
If John Deere can use AI to spot weeds and optimize tractors, imagine what you could do with AI-powered marketing tailored to your business.
Let’s grow smarter, not harder.👉 Ready to level up with AI? Let’s talk.