Case IH Upgrades Baler Lineup
At Agritechnica this week, Case IH is launching the RB6 series variable chamber round baler, as well as Model Year 2026 updates for the LB436 HD and LB4 XL series large square balers to boost productivity and bale quality for producers.
The new RB6 series offers two models — the RB456 and RB466 – including an upgraded chain drive system with premium, higher-strength chains boost performance in heavy crops. Triple-seal bearings extend durability by keeping contaminants out and lubricants in. Extruded rollers now feature a seamless design to increase strength and service life. Reinforced rolls and sealed bearings further enhance resilience and reduce maintenance.
Model Year 2026 LB4 XL and LB436 HD large square balers feature updates in durability and technology. A new greasing system uses automatic chain lubrication instead of oil, delivering four times longer service intervals and requiring only one fluid, while eliminating the oiler pump system for easier maintenance making pre-field preparation faster and easier. A new load-sensing package enables bale eject and bale ramp activation from the back of the baler as well as from the cab, adding convenience and efficiency.
The new balers are on display at Agritechnica in Hanover, Germany, located in Booth B21, at Hall 3, or visit caseih.com or talk with your local Case IH dealer.
EPA Approves Victrato® Seed Treatment
Syngenta’s Victrato® seed treatment has received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency for soybeans and cotton to protect against plant-parasitic nematodes and diseases. Victrato will be available to farmers the rest of 2025 in preparation for the 2026 planting season, subject to state approvals.
Syngenta Seedcare Technical Product Lead Dale Ireland was anticipating approval of Victrado at the 2025 Farm Progress Show. “Victrato is powered by TYMIRIUM® technology and this is the 11th season that I’ve had this out in the field on soybeans and what Victrato is going to do is deliver the highest level of nematode, Sudden death syndrome, red crown rot, and early season soy foliar disease protection that’s ever been offered from a seed treatment.”
FPS25 Interview with Dale Ireland, Syngenta Seedcare (3:36)Victrato is the first federally labeled seed treatment management tool for Red Crown Rot. In addition, it will fortify soybean plants through early-season suppression of important foliar diseases such as Septoria brown spot, frogeye leaf spot and target spot.
“By protecting that green leaf area early, it sets a stronger and healthier foundation to enhance the impact of a foliar fungicide application and better preserve yield potential,” said Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare product lead.
At Farm Progress Show, Jaeger also noted that red crown rot is an emerging issue. “It was first discovered in the 70s, but it’s growing a lot of awareness because the symptomology is very similar to sudden death syndrome. And what we’re seeing is the more sampling that is taking place, the more we’re finding it. I believe it’s been identified in close to 10 states so far.”
FPS25 Interview with Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare (3:37)Victrato in cotton manages Cotton Root Rot and nematodes, including root knot, reniform, lance and sting, with extraordinary results. Learn more about Victrato.
Case IH Highlights New Precision Tech at Agritechnica
Case IH is showcasing new precision technology for operators through key innovations such as SenseApply™ sense and act spray technology and Case IH FieldOps™ updates at this week’s Agritechnica in Germany.
SenseApply provides a versatile and economical variable rate application solution with multi-season functionality without compromising quality or reliability, and can hit target application rates at up to 40kph.
Featuring a uniquely positioned, multi-spectral camera on top of the cab, SenseApply precisely captures field and plant images up to 42 metres wide and 15 metres in front of the device. SenseApply offers unparalleled flexibility with a range of application methods and includes lifetime access to Live VRA and a one-time activation fee for Selective Spray Green-on-Brown Spot Spray, eliminating both per hectare fees and annual fees for the life of the device. Selective Spray also delivers up to a 60% reduction in herbicides.
Case IH continues to enhance FieldOps, with new feature AI Boundary Creation allowing operators to quickly generate field boundaries using satellite imagery and machine learning, saving time and effort. Accurate boundaries help improve efficiency, minimize overlap and ensure consistent data across machines and fields. Operators can also utilize Boundary Management, which allows customers to draw and create digital field boundaries more efficiently.
To help operators troubleshoot issues, FieldOps users can now initiate Remote Display View with an existng Raven Display. By clicking “Connect to Display” on the overview page and inserting the seven-digit session code on the FieldOps website, users can now view and control in-cab display. Users can open multiple remote view sessions simultaneously in separate browser tabs.
Visit Case IH at Agritechnica, November 9-15, 2025, in Hanover, Germany, Booth B21, Hall 3.
AgGateway Celebrates 20 Years at Annual Meeting
AgGateway had a successful annual meeting last week in Clearwater, Florida to celebrate 20 years and work on building the future on two decades of achievement.
Jeremy Wilson, who serves as AgGateway Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, as well as North American Director, says the conference was a little differently this year and it went great. “From my viewpoint, I have been incredibly excited with the interaction we saw in the sessions. You know, we’ve always been good at participating and interacting, but I just saw a level of interaction, like I haven’t seen in a long time,” said Wilson.
Wilson, who joined AgGateway as a volunteer 15 years ago, says there was a lot of reminiscing at the conference about what they have accomplished in 20 years. “It’s just amazing to look back at not only what’s happened in Precision Ag, but what AgGateway has done through the whole production agriculture channel of streamlining processes for our members to share data, use data, to just to make their life easier, to ultimately, at the end of the day, to make a grower’s life easier,” he said.
AgGateway Executive VP Jeremy Wilson (5:17)Case IH Showcases Red Power at Agritechnica
Case IH is doubling down on power and productivity at AGRITECHNICA 2025 in Hanover, Germany this week. From the Case IH Steiger® 785 Quadtrac®, to the new Optum series Optum™ 440, as well as the Farmall® 120 M, and the completely reimagined Puma® 185, every machine is designed to push performance forward.
The new Steiger® 785 Quadtrac® increases the iconic tractor’s horsepower by almost 10% over the previous model with 853 peak hp. The higher horsepower has a purpose and drives productivity, allowing farmers to handle larger implements or pull the same implements even faster, offering an impressive 40% torque rise. Designed to provide more power to the ground, the Steiger 785 Quadtrac also offers a superior operator experience and cab comfort.
Case IH is previewing the new Optum® series tractors available in three models: 360, 390, and 440 – offering greater year-round productivity and increased comfort. The Optum series tractors deliver high horsepower performance and are ideal for a wide range of applications from tillage and seeding, to baling or transport. The Optum series also offers an all-new independent front axle suspension paired with upgraded braking, transmission and hydraulics.
The new Farmall® M series tractor is designed to deliver power and performance in everyday applications through to the most demanding tasks. With seamlessly integrated technology and heightened operator comfort, the Farmall M series delivers superior productivity and execution, regardless of the operation size or terrain. The Farmall M – available in 100M, 110M and 120M models – was created to handle an operator’s busiest days, continuing the Farmall legacy of dependability.
Finally, Case IH is unveiling the all-new Puma® series tractor, featuring an entirely new vehicle design that allows operators to enjoy a smoother ride with superior maneuverability as well as access to the latest precision technology. The Puma – available in 155, 165 or 185hp models – sets a new standard of performance and efficiency for varying operational needs. Featuring an advanced CVXDrive™ transmission, the Puma offers improved load handling, traction and working speeds, allowing operators to use power more economically. Costs are lowered thanks to efficient fuel consumption, and productivity increases with long 750-hour service intervals and the powerful FieldOps™ platform.
If you happen to be attending Agritechnica this week, be sure to visit Case IH, located in Booth B21, at Hall 3. If not, visit caseih.com or talk with your local Case IH dealer.
Industry Ag News 11/7
Washington Update at AgGateway Annual Meeting
Well-known industry government relations specialist Mary Kay Thatcher provided a federal policy update for attendees at the 2025 AgGateway Annual Meeting.
Much of Thatcher’s presentation focused on the trade and tariff policies of the Trump administration and the rapid-fire announcements of deals with different countries. “Just because something has been announced, the devil is often in the details, and we need to have the piece of paper not just about China but about Japan about Vietnam, all the different agreements, and how they really will play out,” she said in an interview. “And we certainly need to continue to reiterate with the administration just how important exports are for agriculture in the U.S.”
Thatcher noted that the government shut down has to end before Congress can do anything to help farmers before the end of the year. “I suspect that happens sometime between now and Thanksgiving. But then there’s very little time left,” she said. “I think you’ll hear from lots of farmers that it just has to happen. We’re not gonna get help out of the one big beautiful bill and the improvements to the commodity payments and the crop insurance subsidies until October of 2026, and farmers just can’t cash flow with the prices these days. So we need to go ahead and have some kind of assistance soon.”
Learn more in this interview.
Interview with Mary Kay Thatcher (3:47)
CruiserMaxx Vibrance Elite Receives EPA Registration
Syngenta’s latest offering for cereals, CruiserMaxx® Vibrance® Elite seed treatment, has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will now be available for use in the upcoming growing season.
The fungicide and insecticide seed treatment premix is an upgraded formulation of CruiserMaxx Vibrance Cereals designed to deliver early-season disease and insect protection. Syngenta spotlighted the product at the Farm Progress Show in August.
“This premix has been rigorously tested to help ensure it fits the need for an all-in-one seed treatment that protects against key insect pests and diseases,” said Bryn Hightower, product lead for Syngenta Seedcare. “The mixture of trusted ingredients helps cereal crops emerge evenly with strong stand establishment and root mass, helping to maximize plant populations. Compared with other seed treatments available on the market, we’ve observed an average of 18% greater plant stand and a 3.3 bushels per acre yield increase in Pythium-inoculated winter wheat.1”
CruiserMaxx Vibrance Elite includes two modes of action on Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and Pythium, including mefeboxam- and ethaboxam-resistant isolates, and is labeled for management of a wide range of other early-season seedborne and soilborne diseases and insect pests.
Listen to an interview with Hightower from FPS about the new product.
FPS25 Interview with Bryn Hightower, Syngenta Seedcare (3:15)
Precision Ag News 11/6
