Greenway Equipment welcomed guests to the first public demonstration of the John Deere Fully-Autonomous Tractor in the region during the Greenway Technology Showcase, held at the Greenway Equipment Tech Farm in Newport, Arkansas.
Attendees—including farmers, legislators, industry partners, and media—experienced firsthand how John Deere’s newest autonomous solutions are reshaping the future of farming. The event featured live demonstrations of the autonomous 8R tractor, See & Spray™ precision spraying system, Weave Automation, and other advanced technologies now available through Greenway.
“This was a milestone moment not just for Greenway, but for agriculture in our region,” said Bill Midkiff, CEO of Greenway Equipment. “We were proud to be the first to show how this level of autonomy can work on local farms, and how these technologies can give producers back their most valuable resource—time.”
The John Deere autonomous system is available as a precision upgrade for MY22 and newer 9R and 9RX tractors, as well as MY21 and newer 8R and 8RX models. Select MY25 John Deere tractors and tillage tools come autonomy-ready from the factory. The system uses 16 roof-mounted cameras to provide a full 360-degree perception view around the tractor and attached tillage tool, helping the machine safely navigate and work independently in the field.
“Autonomy doesn’t mean replacing the farmer—it’s about empowering them,” said Dr. Jeff Barnes, Greenway’s Vice President of Technology. “This technology helps operators finish more work in less time, extend their working windows, and reallocate labor to higher-value tasks when it matters most.”
To assist with the transition to autonomous operation, John Deere has integrated these systems into the precision ag tools many customers already use. Technologies like AutoPath™, AutoTrac™ Turn Automation, and John Deere Operations Center™ Mobile are central to the seamless performance of these autonomous solutions in real-world conditions.
Greenway’s team also offered private media sessions, expert interviews, and product walkarounds throughout the day.
