Both Fendt and Massey Ferguson unveiled their new planter machines at the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.

While the two AGCO brands have new planter technology, each is aimed at solving different problems for customers.

Fendt is offering a machine "designed for large-scale farming operations seeking greater productivity and efficiency".

Massey Ferguson on the other hand targets building uncomplicated and reliable machinery, and said its new planters "combine proven technology, flexible performance and straightforward ownership".

Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson's new N-Series split/narrow row planters comes with factory-installed Precision Planting technology from AGCO's precision planting brand, PTx.

PTx's 20|20 Gen3 agronomic mapping system, vSet2 vacuum seed meter (which is powered by its vDrive electric meter drive) and DeltaForce automated hydraulic downforce control system are all stock to the N-Series planters.

The company said that this is combined with a modular design to "help farmers get more from every pass without adding complexity to their operation".

The planters feature twin 45-bushel central seed tanks, an option liquid fertiliser capacity of up to 500gals and in-cab manual weight transfer to allow operators to adapt to changing field conditions.

The N-Series comes in six configurations, ranging from 23-32 planting rows and a narrow 15-22in spacing between rows.

Narrow spacing is used to increase plant populations and boost grain yields, maximising land use efficiency.

It also reduces in-row plant competition as seeds are spaced further apart within each individual row.

It is also noteworthy that narrower spacing means there are additional row units and thus there is a higher initial cost for these machines.

Marketing manager for planters at Massey Ferguson North America, Forrest Francis spoke about the role that this machine can play in the US market.

He said: "Farmers want proven technology without unnecessary complexity.

"It's about putting technology to work where it can make a meaningful difference while keeping the planter straightforward to own, operate, and maintain."

According to Massey Ferguson, the focus for the N-Series has been on providing long-term value beyond the planting season.

The N-Series modular platform allows producers to add optional technologies, including WaveVision (which counts seeds in the tube at the bottom of the row unit, ignoring dust, dirt and debris), the company said.

Other technologies such as SpeedTube (replacing gravity-drop seed tubes with an electrically driven belt system) are facilitated by the brands use of Heads Up row units, which it says features "enhanced accuracy and longevity".

Fendt

Fendt is expanding its Momentum planter lineup with a new 80ft, 32-row planter with 30in spacing.

The Fendt Momentum32R30 is the brand's largest planter model yet.

The German brand claims the new model "covers more acres per day" due to its working width and reduces fill stops thanks to its standard 130-bushel high-capacity seed system and 1,000gal fertiliser capacity.

The machine uses three established AGCO technologies:

Fendt SmartFrame chassis, which facilitates active terrain contouring, regardless of dips or hills;
Factory-integrated Precision Planting systems (like Massey Ferguson's N-Series);
Load Logic weight management, which reduces pinch rows by more evenly distributing the weight across the entire width of the frame;

The planter is "engineered to maximise productivity and planting performance across every acre".

Fendt North America's senior marketing manager of planters, Jason Lee spoke about the gap that Fendt hopes to fill in the market with the new Momentum planter.

He said: "Large-scale growers need to cover more acres in tighter windows without sacrificing the precision that drives yield potential.

"The Fendt Momentum 32R30 maximises agronomic performance and efficiency to achieve better yields, making every seed count".

The Momentum 32R30 features a new five-section Vertical Contouring Toolbar (VCT), which Fendt said increases toolbar flexibility across the planter's wider operating width compared to the earlier three-section version.

The machine achieves "consistent planting depth and uniform seed placement" due to the VCT letting row units to follow changing terrain more closely.

Fendt has said that the planter works "efficiently" with its high-horsepower tractor lineup, including the Fendt 1000 series and newly released second generation Fendt 1100 MT Series.

The Fendt Momentum R32R30 will be available for order in the US and Canada from next summer.