John Deere staff led a showcase of S7 and X9 combine models in a Harvest Customer Experience that delivered technology and tips for a top harvest
John Deere’s harvester division converged on Griffith in Southern NSW for a ‘Harvest Customer Experience’ prior to the 2025-26 harvest, that is expected to be a bumper following adequate rainfall during the growing season.
Growers had the chance to see and feel updated S7 and X9 combine harvesters that have been updated to incorporate the most current technology and tools they can use to ensure a successful harvest season.
Participants rotated through three stations, focusing on the functions of the latest S7 Series and X9 Series harvesters: showcasing in particular the integrated technology.
John Deere technicians were on hand to explain the benefits of the exclusive Harvest Automation system and demonstrated how John Deere’s digital tools can help manage the day-to-day harvest.
John Deere’s S7 and X9 combine harvesters integrate advanced automation technologies such as Predictive Ground Speed Automation, Harvest Settings Automation and AutoTracTM Turn Automation.
The updates on these 2025 combine harvester models onwards can boost productivity by up to 20%* on farms, with functions especially designed to improve machine performance to ensure harvest quality is maintained regardless of operator experience.
See a recent challenge between long operator experience and the benefits of automation on this link.
Growers gained vital insights
James Trethowan, Farm Manager for Lawson Grains, travelled from a 10,000-hectare operation at Urana in the Riverina region of NSW, to be part of the John Deere Harvest Customer Experience.
Lawson Grains currently run a John Deere X9 with another on the way for the upcoming 2025-26 harvest, a S790 combine, an 8R and 9RX tractor, as well as two 616R self-propelled sprayers – one with See & Spray™.
“The updates for John Deere Machine Sync will help with our controlled traffic system, and I’m very excited about John Deere’s JDLinkTM Boost device, because it provides constant connectivity using Starlink from the SpaceX network, since I’m in an area that doesn’t have the best connectivity,” James Trethowan explains.
“Being a large corporate farm, we try and capture as much data as we can for informed decisions and budgeting. John Deere Operations Center™ is a must for us, it’s very heavily used within Lawson Grains, right down to having the farm plan correct for every application.
“Yield maps are also crucial. We’re looking at putting protein monitors on the headers this year because we’re doing trials for different fertilisers, along with bio stimulants and natural products, and we want to get the data from that to see what is viable.”
On hand at the event
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Production and Precision Ag Manager, Royce Bell, said the Harvest Customer Experience held at Hutcheon & Pearce Griffith NSW was the latest in a series of four events across the country.
Also included in the demonstration days where growers are welcome to attend include Horsham Vic; Moree and Griffith NSW; and Esperance WA. With growers able to access the full benefits of these upgraded models and share John Deere staff knowledge and expertise.
“We want to make sure customers understand the productivity and efficiency gains on offer by keeping every machine consistent, with every combine doing its best every day through harvest, with the support of the dealer,” Royce Bell added.
“The John Deere Harvest Customer Experience is really about achieving a smarter harvest and an improved bottom line through productivity, reliability and efficiency, and we can do all that automatically,” Royce Bell concluded.
Meanwhile, manager of John Deere Australia and New Zealand production systems specialists, Max Cusack, said the Harvest Customer Experience was also a great opportunity to get closer to customers and dealers to understand their pressure points, in order for John Deere to continue to improve in the future.
Max Cusack also added that John Deere was excited to be offering HarvestLab™ 3000, which provides on the go measurement of moisture, protein starch and oil values in wheat, barley and canola, on S7 and X9 combines to assist farmers meet their agronomic data needs.
“Efficiency is all about minimising grain loss and fuel use, and doing more with less in the harvest window. The reliability and performance of our combines, our fronts, and all of the enabling technology is crucial to achieving that,” Max Cusack explained.
“Skilled labour is a real challenge right now and that’s why these technology improvements need to come together using automation to maximise a machine’s productivity through harvest.
“Harvest Automation technology from John Deere is now smart enough to self-optimise making adjustments to improve machine performance.
“It’s super exciting. Farmers investing in these machines can get the best return possible through automatic adjustment and optimisation, regardless of the operator in the cab,” Max Cusack offered.
Event hosts success
One of the Harvest Customer Experience hosts, Hutcheon & Pearce Griffith NSW, is a multi-generational John Deere dealership that’s been in business for 70-plus years. For CEO Arron Hutcheon, the workshop is a valuable educational tool.
“The John Deere X9 combine is an evolving product for us and it is quickly becoming a major part of our harvester business,” Arron Hutcheon elaborated.
“For us, rather than picking on one particular technology, Harvest Customer Experience is about customers unlocking all of the technology that’s available on a machine.”
To watch the highlights of the Harvest Customer Experience held in Griffith NSW view the video here.
* Results referred to are from using optional Ultimate Technology Package. Anonymised John Deere Operations Center™ data gathered in soybeans, corn, and small grains. Performance varies based on machine size and field and crop conditions.
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