Agriculture

Powering the Future of Agriculture

US agriculture is among the most productive and economically valuable in the world, producing more yield in less time with fewer inputs. That’s due in part to the advancements of the machines and equipment that do the planting, harvesting, and tending of the land.

Internal combustion engines and both gaseous and liquid fuels play vital roles in the farm economy. On any given farm, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, propane, and biodiesel fuels can all be found serving various roles in machines and equipment supporting farming activities and the farm infrastructure.

Even as new fuels and technologies emerge, diesel is expected to continue to evolve and dominate the agriculture sector for decades to come.

Diesel Engines are the Dominant Power Source for the Agricultural Economy

Diesel engines power about 75% of all farm equipment, and all of the largest machines and tractors, such as row crop tractors, combines and harvesters.

Diesel engines pump about 20% of agriculture’s irrigation water and transport inputs (fertilizer, seed) and harvested products. Ninety-six percent of the equipment used to move agricultural commodities to market is powered by diesel engines.

Tractor-trailer size trucks transport harvested grain to freight rail or inland barges and towboats. Diesel powers all of these means of conveying harvested crops to processing facilities and ultimately to the corner grocery store.

The agricultural economy has long relied on diesel technology because of its combination of efficient power, performance, reliability and durability and record of continuous improvement including its environmental performance.

Advanced diesel technology was introduced in the agricultural equipment sector in 2014. This fourth generation of diesel technology “Tier 4” achieves near zero emissions for both particulate matter and emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Manufacturers utilize a variety of strategies to achieve this emissions performance including particulate filers, oxidation catalysts and selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR).

Farm equipment utilizes the same diesel fuel (ultra-low sulfur) as do highway vehicles. Similarly, farm equipment both old and new can readily utilize biodiesel fuels. 

Decarbonizing Agriculture: Fuel and Technology Options 

Manufacturers are exploring various approaches to help decarbonize the agricultural sector, as well as enhance performance and lower operating costs for farmers. These approaches involve introducing new fuels and technologies, new and existing equipment, as well as farming practices.

Use Renewable Low-Carbon Biobased Fuels

Utilizing low-carbon renewable biodiesel fuels is the most available and affordable strategy for decarbonizing the farm sector. These fuels, produced from agricultural products such as soybeans and corn, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-80% depending on the feedstock. Because farmers produce soybean crops, the use of these fuels is a basic consideration. The fuels work in any existing or new tractors, machines, and equipment.

Diversifying fuels used in internal combustion engines is another decarbonization strategy being explored by manufacturers. In addition to renewable biobased diesel fuels, other fuels that could be utilized in internal combustion engines include ammonia, hydrogen, dimethyl ether, and ethanol.

Upgrade to New Generation Advanced Diesel

Replacing older tractors and equipment with newer generations can deliver substantial benefits in the form of performance and productivity and lower emissions as a result. Many types of off-road engines and equipment like those used in the farm sector are typically older than highway vehicles and have longer useful lives. 

New hybrid equipment options are available in some machine and equipment sectors, such as wheel loaders and row crop tractors. These typically utilize a diesel internal combustion engine but replace hydraulic systems with electrified systems to control implements and various functions of the tractor. Eliminating fluid-based hydraulic systems that utilize engine-driven pumps reduces the load on the engine and in turn saves fuel and offers some new control options for operators.

Other hybrid strategies operate more like those in passenger vehicles; they capture and store otherwise wasted energy from braking or movement and then apply that energy to the machine operations, lessening the demand on the internal combustion engine,

New Fuels and Technologies

While internal combustion engines are expected to continue to dominate the agricultural sector for decades to come, engine and equipment manufacturers are exploring new fuels and technologies. These include battery electric, hydrogen internal combustion engines and fuel cell technologies.

For more information about the Future of Farming visit:

The Future of Farming Technology | John Deere

Smart Farming for Sustainable Agriculture | AGCO Solutions

Agriculture Engines | Cummins Inc.

Compact & Sub Compact Utility Tractors | YANMAR Tractor

Agriculture engines | FPT Industrial

Agriculture Tractors | Kubota USA

Agriculture Engines that Make the Difference | Volvo Penta

Smart and Precision Farming Practices 

Global food production needs to grow by 60% before 2050 to meet the anticipated demand from an expected population of 9 billion according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. That means 2 billion more mouths to feed. Along with more productive and efficient machines, more sustainable farming practices and more efficient farming techniques, will be needed.

Among the greatest opportunities to boost farm productivity and lower inputs and greenhouse gas emissions are the use of a growing suite technologies that collectively boost efficiency and productivity while reducing inputs such as water, fertilizer, and herbicides.

Advancements in connectivity utilizing real time data about weather and field conditions enables farmers to optimize planting, watering and herbicide and pesticide applications provides farmers with gathering on location, field conditions. Connected and smart farming also utilizes satellite-based guidance control for machines and equipment to minimize passes and overlap in the field. These technologies save time, lower the use of field inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides by allowing farmers to precisely control and optimize equipment use while minimizing fuel consumption. 

Autonomous features enable some tractors without operators to be connected and move in conjunction with manned tractors performing certain tasks in the field. In the future more autonomous features could be possible.

Additional Resources

For more information about smart and precision farming practices and technologies visit  AGCO, Cummins, John Deere, Kubota, and Yanmar.

To learn more about biofuels, please visit our biofuels page.

Explore our webinar Making America’s Farms Greener and More Productive with Advancements in Farming Technology which explores how innovations in agricultural machinery, fuels, and smart farming systems are boosting productivity, increasing yields, and reducing emissions. While much focus is on highway vehicles, significant advancements are also transforming the agricultural sector. Listen to industry leaders as they discuss these cutting-edge technologies and their impact on sustainability and efficiency.

Watch the Webinar