A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Javascript is required to use this website.

Top Story

Electric tractors emerge as viable alternatives for some operations

Nat Williams
Mar 4, 2021
Mar 4, 2021 Updated Mar 11, 2021

AGCO’s e100 tractor — which has equivalent of 100 horsepower — is under development. A working prototype is shown here.
Photo provided by AGCO

Facebook
Twitter
Bluesky
WhatsApp
SMS
Email
Print
Save

There may be a day when farmers will no longer hear the roar of internal combustion engines or wear the faint scent of diesel fuel.

kAmt=64EC:4 EC24E@CD 2C6 :? E96:C :?72?4J[ 3FE >2?F724EFC6CD 2C6 E2<:?8 2 D6C:@FD =@@< 2E E96>] %96J 7246 D@>6 :>A65:>6?ED[ 2446AE2?46 ?@E E96 =62DE 2>@?8 E96>]k^Am

kAm“%92E :D E96 >2:? 492==6?86 7@C 562=6CD E@ 86E E96D6 @FE E@ 8C@H6CD[” D2:5 %@> %FC?6C[ 2 DEC2E68:4 >2C<6E:?8 >2?286C 2E pvr~] “%96J’C6 ?@E 2D C625:=J 2446AE65[ 6DA64:2==J :? CFC2= 6?G:C@?>6?ED]”k^Am

kAm}6G6CE96=6DD[ pvr~ :D 2>@?8 D6G6C2= >2;@C 28 6BF:A>6?E 4@>A2?:6D 862C:?8 FA 7@C AC@5F4E:@? @7 6=64EC:4\A@H6C65 EC24E@CD]k^Am

kAmxED 6`__ >@56=[ F?56C E96 u6?5E 3C2?5[ :D 2 `__\9@CD6A@H6C EC24E@C F?56C 56G6=@A>6?E] %FC?6C H@F=5 ?@E 5:D4=@D6 H96? :E H:== 36 2G2:=23=6 4@>>6C4:2==J[ 3FE 5:5 D2J :E H:== 36 D@@?6C C2E96C E92? =2E6C]k^Am

kAm“(6 9@A6 E@ 36 F?56C AC@5F4E:@? :? E96 ?62C 7FEFC6[” 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm~E96CD 4@>A2?:6D 2C6 2=D@ =@@<:?8 2E E96 A@E6?E:2= 7@C 32EE6CJ\@A6C2E65 EC24E@CD]k^Am

kAmy@9? s66C6 F?G6:=65 2 7FEFC:DE:4 AC@E@EJA6 @7 2 b__\9@CD6A@H6C >@56= 2 76H J62CD 28@ 2E E96 72C> 6IA@ p8C:E649?:42[ 2E w2?@G6C[ v6C>2?J] s66C6 564=:?65 E@ 4@>>6?E @? E96 G69:4=6 7@C E9:D 2CE:4=6[ 2?5 E96 4@>A2?J 92D 2E =62DE AF3=:4=J AF==65 324< 7C@> 56G6=@A:?8 =2C86\D42=6 6=64EC:4 EC24E@CD 7@C ?@H]k^Am

kAmkDEC@?8mx? E96 7:6=5k^DEC@?8mk^Am

kAmqFE E96 6=64EC:4 EC24E@C 5@6D 6I:DE 4@>>6C4:2==J 2=C625J] r2=:7@C?:2\32D65 $@=64EC24 :D >2C<6E:?8 D6G6C2= >@56=D]k^Am

kAm“(6’G6 366? D6==:?8 E96> 7@C E9C66 J62CD[ 2?5 x’G6 366? 3F:=5:?8 E96> 7@C b_[” D2:5 7@F?56C $E6G6 w64<6C@E9]k^Am

kAmw64<6C@E9[ H9@ 92D 2? 2C49:E64EFC2= 568C66[ 92D 56G@E65 9:D =:76 E@ C6?6H23=6 A@H6C] w6 3682? 56D:8?:?8 D@=2C 9@>6D :? `hf_ 2?5 EFC?65 9:D 2EE6?E:@? E@ G69:4=6D a_ J62CD =2E6C]k^Am

kAm%96 4@>A2?J’D >@DE A@H6C7F= F?:E 3@2DED E96 6BF:G2=6?E @7 f_ 9@CD6A@H6C] t=64EC:4 EC24E@CD 2C6 =:>:E65 :? D:K6 2?5 2C6 FD65 =2C86=J @? D>2==\24C6286 @A6C2E:@?D] |2DD:G6[ =2C86\7:6=5 F?:ED H@F=5 36 F?E6?23=6[ 244@C5:?8 E@ w64<6C@E9]k^Am

kAm“%96 D:K6 @7 E96 32EE6CJ A24< J@F H@F=5 ?665 =:>:ED E96>[” 96 D2:5] “(:E9 y@9? s66C6’D b__\9@CD6A@H6C AC@E@EJA6[ :E H@F=5 =2DE @?=J 23@FE `d >:?FE6D H:E9@FE 2 492C86] xE’D ?@E 762D:3=6] x’> 962565 :? E96 @E96C 5:C64E:@?] u@DD:= 7F6=D 2C6 364@>:?8 2 3:886C 2?5 3:886C :DDF6[ A6@A=6 DH:E49:?8 E@ 6=64EC:4 42CD[ 2?5 %6D=2’D >2C<6E 42A :D 3:886C E92? E96 C6DE @7 E96 :?5FDECJ AFE E@86E96C]”k^Am

kAm%96 D>2== EC24E@CD :? 56G6=@A>6?E 2?5 AC@5F4E:@?[ @? E96 @E96C 92?5[ 42? CF? 2? 2G6C286 @7 D6G6? E@ `_ 9@FCD H:E9@FE 2 492C86]k^Am

kAmr@5J p==6? 28C66D E92E E649?@=@8J 5@6D?’E 6I:DE E@ CF? =2C86 72C> G69:4=6D DEC:4E=J @? 32EE6CJ A@H6C] w@H6G6C[ E96C6 2C6 2AA=:42E:@?D H96C6 :E 7:ED]k^Am

kAm“q2EE6C:6D 92G6 H6:89E[ D@ E96C6 :D 2=H2JD 2 EC256@77[” D2:5 p==6?[ 2 AC@76DD@C @7 28C:4F=EFC2= 6?8:?66C:?8 2E E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 x==:?@:D] “%96C6 2C6 >@C6 DA64:2=:K65 2AA=:42E:@?D[ =:<6 :? G:?6J2C5D]”k^Am

kAmkDEC@?8mwJ3C:5 >@56=k^DEC@?8mk^Am

kAmw6 D66D >@C6 2AA=:42E:@? :? 9J3C:5:K2E:@?[ >F49 =:<6 E96 EC24E@C G6CD:@? @7 2 %@J@E2 !C:FD]k^Am

kAm“%96C6 2C6 @AA@CEF?:E:6D E96C6 :? E96 ?62C E6C> 7@C 962GJ\5FEJ 6BF:A>6?E[” p==6? D2:5] “x7 J@F 4@F=5 564@FA=6 E96 6?8:?6 7C@> E96 5C:G6EC2:?[ J@F 4@F=5 :?4C62D6 677:4:6?4J] %92E’D :? E96 ?62C E6C>] x? 2AA=:42E:@?D H96C6 7F== 6=64EC:4 :D ?@E 762D:3=6 J6E[ D@>6 @7 E96D6 E649?@=@8:6D 2C6 E96C6]”k^Am

People are also reading…

Trail King: Transport solutions for every trailer owner
Heavier carcasses unlock value for group of ranchers
Champion hog showman shares secrets to success
Five rules for leadership
The PCV2 landscape has changed. Is your protection keeping up?
Brother, sister, same stage
Producer plans store to advocate for agriculture
Forest fires in southwest Montana impact ranchers
Gevo ND tour highlights field-to-fuel low carbon corn farming
Fall Festival in renovated barn brings community together
September basis offers insight
FFA greenhouse blesses Lutheran High Northeast
Short corn hybrids provide advantages
More thoughts on leadership
Illinois producer optimistic after tough years

kAmp >2CC:286 @7 32EE6CJ A@H6C 2?5 2FE@?@>J >2J 36 2 >@C6 AC@>:D:?8 4@>3:?2E:@?] pAA=:42E:@?D 7@C E96> 23@F?5[ 6DA64:2==J @? 7CF:E 2?5 G686E23=6 @A6C2E:@?D]k^Am

kAm“(6’C6 6?E6C:?8 E9:D :?E6C6DE:?8 E:>6] pFE@?@>J 2?5 6=64EC:7:42E:@? 2C6 8@:?8 E@ 4@==:56[” p==6? D2:5] “%96 C62==@42E:@? @7 D@>6 =23@C 4@F=5 27764E E96 762D:3:=:EJ @7 D@>6 @7 E9@D6 6=64EC:7:42E:@? D@=FE:@?D]”k^Am

kAm$F49 E649?@=@8J :D 2=C625J :? E96 H@C<D] |@?2C49 %C24E@C :D 862C:?8 FA E@ AC@5F46 2 =:?6 @7 D6=7\@A6C2E65 6=64EC:4 EC24E@CD] pFE@?@>@FD 6=64EC:4 G69:4=6D H:E9 E96 A@H6C 6BF:G2=6?E @7 c_ E@ f_ 9@CD6A@H6C 42? D6CG6 2D “4@>A2?:@? EC24E@CD” 5@:?8 G2C:@FD E2D<D[ D2:5 2 4@>A2?J DA@<6DA6CD@?]k^Am

kAm“p 8C66? EC24E@C 42? 36 5@:?8 E2D<D :? E96 7:6=5 E92E C65F46D 6IA@DFC6 E@ E96 72C>6C[” E96 DA@<6DA6CD@? D2:5 @7 E96 =:?6 @7 G69:4=6D :? E96 r2=:7@C?:2 4@>A2?J’D A:A6=:?6]k^Am

kAm%96 >249:?6D H:== =2C86=J 36 FD65 :? G:?6J2C5D 2?5 G686E23=6 @A6C2E:@?D]k^Am

kAm“(6 925 `c 52JD @7 ?@?\DE@A 7:C6D[ E96? E9:D A2?56>:4[” E96 DA@<6DA6CD@? D2:5] “*@F 92G6 2 f_\9@CD6A@H6C 7:6=5H@C<6C @FE E96C6 H9@ :D ?@E AFEE:?8 A6@A=6 :? 92C>’D H2J]”k^Am

kAm%96 EC24E@CD 2C6 36:?8 56D:8?65 E@ @A6C2E6 H:E9 @C H:E9@FE 5C:G6CD] %96J H:== 2=D@ 762EFC6 E649?@=@8J 2==@H:?8 H@C<6CD E@ FD6 92?5 86DEFC6D E@ 4@?EC@= DA665[ 5:C64E:@? 2?5 E2D<D @? E96 72C>] %92E 42? 96=A H:E9 >:8C2?E =23@C6CD[ >2?J H9@ 5@ ?@E DA62< t?8=:D9]k^Am

kAmkDEC@?8mp5G2?E286D U2>Aj 492==6?86Dk^DEC@?8mk^Am

kAm{2C86 @C D>2==[ 6=64EC:4 EC24E@CD D92C6 D@>6 25G2?E286D @G6C E96:C 4@>3FDE:@? 6?8:?6 4@F?E6CA2CED]k^Am

kAm“%96 3:886DE 25G2?E286D 2C6 G6CJ BF:6E @A6C2E:@? 2?5 :?DE2?E E@CBF6[” D2:5 pvr~’D %FC?6C] “~3G:@FD=J[ E96C6 2C6 ?@ 5:6D6= 7F6= @C 7=F:5D E@ H@CCJ 23@FE] %96 >@DE AC6G2=6?E @?6 :D ?@ 6>:DD:@?D] %96 6`__ H:== 36 2 K6C@\6>:DD:@? G69:4=6]”k^Am

kAmt2D6 @7 >2:?E6?2?46 :D 2?@E96C 36?67:E] $:?46 E96C6 2C6 ?@ >@G:?8 A2CED :? E96 >@E@C[ =:EE=6 >2:?E6?2?46 :D C6BF:C65]k^Am

kAmpD:56 7C@> E96 =:>:ED @? D:K6[ E96C6 2C6 @E96C 492==6?86D] p>@?8 E96> :D 492C8:?8 E:>6 2?5 32EE6CJ =:76] u2C> :?7C2DECF4EFC6 :D 2?@E96C 4@?D:56C2E:@?]k^Am

kAm“*@F ?665 E@ :?DE2== D@>6 <:?5 @7 492C8:?8 DE2E:@? @? E96 72C>[” p==6? D2:5] “%96J ?665 E@ AC@G6 E96>D6=G6D E@ 72C>6CD] x? 4@=5 4=:>2E6D[ 32EE6C:6D 5@?’E =:<6 4@=5 H62E96C] %96C6 2C6 E9:?8D H6 ?665 E@ :C@? @FE 2?5 D9@H @FC 4FDE@>6CD E92E E9:D E649?@=@8J :D C6=:23=6] xE’D ?@E 2D v6@C86 y6ED@? 2D J@F >:89E E9:?<]”k^Am

kAm~?6 D@=FE:@? :? E96 7FEFC6 4@F=5 :?G@=G6 7F6= 46==D]k^Am

kAm“r92C8:?8 :?7C2DECF4EFC6 :D 2 >@C6 492==6?8:?8 2DA64E 7@C @77\C@25 G69:4=6D 3642FD6 J@F’C6 ?@E 2=H2JD ?62C E96 8C:5[” p==6? D2:5]k^Am

kAm“%92E’D H9J J@F’C6 962C:?8 23@FE 7F6= 46==D] %96C6 :D 2 =@E @7 8@G6C?>6?E 7F?5:?8 8@:?8 :?E@ 7F?5:?8 7F6= 46==D] %92E >:89E 36 2 A2E9] qFE H6’C6 2 H2JD @FE]”k^Am

kAm(:56DAC625 FD6 @7 6=64EC:4 72C> G69:4=6D 4@F=5 2=D@ 27764E E96 FD65\G69:4=6 >2C<6E]k^Am

kAm“t=64EC:4 EC24E@CD H:== 2=D@ 92G6 2? :?E6C6DE:?8 67764E @? E96 FD65 >2C<6E[” p==6? D2:5] “t?8:?6D =2DE 2 =@?8 E:>6 :? G69:4=6D] q2EE6C:6D 568C256 @G6C E:>6] %92E H:== 36 2 724E@C :? E96 FD65 >2C<6E]”k^Am

kAmu2C>6CD :? r2=:7@C?:2 >2J 92G6 =:EE=6 49@:46 :? E96 7FEFC6] %96 DE2E6 92D >2?52E65 E92E ?@ 82D\7:C65 G69:4=6D >2J 36 AC@5F465 :? E96 DE2E6 3J a_bd] xE :D ?@E 4=62C H96E96C E96 6I64FE:G6 @C56C D:8?65 =2DE 72== 3J v@G] v2G:? }6HD@> 6IE6?5D E@ 72C> G69:4=6D]k^Am

kAmp5G@42E6D @7 6=64EC:4 EC24E@CD A@:?E E@ E96 6?G:C@?>6?E2= 36?67:ED] $@>6 D66 E96> 2D 2 >@G6 E@H2C5 2 A2C25:8> D9:7E :? 28C:4F=EFC6[ >@G:?8 2H2J 7C@> =2C86 72C>D E@ D>2==6C @A6C2E:@?D] %96J D66 :E 2D 2 A@D:E:G6]k^Am

kAm“%9:?8D 2C6 >@G:?8 :? E92E 5:C64E:@?[” w64<6C@E9 D2:5] “(6 ?665 D9@CE6C DFAA=J 492:?D 2?5 D>2==6C 72C>D D6CG:?8 =@42= 4@>>F?:E:6D] (6 H2?E E@ 36 D>2==6C[ ?@E =2C86C]”k^Am

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

Nat Williams

Author email

Related to this story

Marketplace

Find the equipment you're looking for

Tractors
Combines
Harvesters
Planting
Misc Equipment
Hay Equipment
Trailers
Trucks
Livestock
Seed
Feed/Hay

Take advantage of these
exclusive benefits:

Electric tractors emerge as viable alternatives for some operations

Nat Williams

Marketplace

Topics

Breaking News

Take advantage of these exclusive benefits:

People are also reading…

Be the first to know

Nat Williams

Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature

Related to this story

Marketplace

Find the equipment you're looking for

Topics

Breaking News

Take advantage of these
exclusive benefits: