Deere’s Barry Nelson said this is a major announcement that continues John Deere’s 175 years of innovation. “The past few years we have been spending millions and millions of dollars to develop new technology for the engines and the integrated technology we need in the vehicles to make everything work as a very productive package.”

John Deere Manager Worldwide Marketing Geoff Stigler gave an overview of how the technology was developed and why. “Engine technology is just one piece of the puzzle,” he said. “It’s really all about meeting customer expectations, delivering on the performance, durability, reliability and operating efficiency requirements.”

Geoff said the road to Final Tier 4 was a building block approach, starting with Tier 2 when the first electronic engines were implemented and moving through Interim Tier 4 which have been delivered for the past 18 months. “We have nearly 20,000 engines in the field right now that are Interim Tier 4 compliant,” he said. “We’ve been able to monitor those through our JD Link technology and have over 2 million customer hours on those engines already.”

Listen to or download the press conference here: John Deere Tier 4 Press Conference

Final Tier 4/Stage IV regulations for off-highway diesel engines begin as early as 2013 for engines 55 kW (74 hp) and below. Regulatory dates for engines 56 kW (75 hp) and above will be implemented in stages starting in 2014 and 2015, and require particulate matter (PM) levels established by Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations to be maintained while requiring an additional 80 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) from previous regulations.

Consisting of an exhaust filter and SCR aftertreatment components that are optimized and fully integrated, the Integrated Emissions Control system will allow John Deere engines to utilize less diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) than alternative Interim Tier 4/Stage III B SCR technology solutions. Lower DEF consumption means DEF tank size can be smaller — minimizing the impact on vehicle applications, extending DEF filter service intervals and reducing operator involvement. Monitored and controlled by proprietary electronics within John Deere’s enhanced engine control unit (ECU), the Integrated Emissions Control system also provides outstanding fluid efficiency without sacrificing overall performance.

For more information on John Deere’s Final Tier 4/Stage IV engine technology, go to www.JohnDeere.com/tier4.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

The John Deere “Can Do” project in November 2011 created a full-sized combine made entirely from food – 308,448 cans of food and 11,268 bags of food to be exact. According to Guinness® World Records, Project “Can Do” is by far the largest sculpture ever built from canned food, more than doubling the number of cans used in the previous record set two years ago.

The combine can-food sculpture depicting John Deere’s new S-Series Combine harvesting corn measured 60 feet wide, 80 feet long and 16 feet tall and weighed approximately 170 tons. It was created by John Deere to recognize the vital role that America’s farmers play in feeding the world and showcase how new equipment and technologies are helping farmers perform that role more productively and efficiently than ever.

The world-record can-food sculpture was built November 12-17 by a team of 450 John Deere volunteers including employees, retirees, employee families and friends. The structure took more than 1800 hours to build and contains more than 15 different kinds of canned food. In addition to the cans of food, the sculpture contains 11,268 bags of popcorn, peas and beans.

The sculpture was on display at the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois, until December 12 when it was dismantled and all the food was donated to River Bend Foodbank. River Bend serves families in the Quad Cities and 22 counties in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Listen in to my interview with Janae here: Interview with Janae Althouse

2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

I spoke with Katie Dierker, Division Marketing Manager for the S-Series combines. Katie says the right model S-Series combine can harvest enough wheat in a day to make 1 million loaves of bread or when it comes to corn, it can go through the equivalent of 30 football field in an hour or 350 acres per day. That sounds like big productivity!

Learn more about the project in my interview with Katie here: Interview with Katie Dierker

Post Update: Here’s a time lapse video of the sculpture being built. Pretty cool video.

One of the project creators is Richard Williamson. Richard is a Creative Director for the company. He’s currently working as Art Director/Project Manager for John Deere’s Harvesting and Seeding product lines. I spoke with him about the project. He says the “art” work will be revealed to the public tomorrow, November 17 and it will remain on display in the John Deere Pavilion until December 17. At that point it will be dismantled and the cans of food donated.

You can listen to Richard explain more about the project here: Interview with Richard Williamson

So let’s learn more about Project “Can Do.” I spoke with Nicole Schneider, Project Manager for John Deere. She’s one of the folks credited with the idea for the project. It’s interesting to hear how they had to strategically purchase cans of food of the appropriate size and colors needed in the sculpture. For example, Nicole says they had to have a certain number of cans of green beans and peas for the green and corn for the yellow, etc. She says that the Facebook page will be updated periodically with pictures of the sculpture being constructed and may even have a live feed of certain events.

You can listen to my interview with Nicole here: Interview with Nicole Schneider

To recognize the vital role that America’s farmers play in feeding the world this harvest season, John Deere is attempting a world-record at constructing a full-sized sculpture of its new S-Series combine from more than 300,000 cans of food at the John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline, Illinois.

The more than 300,000 cans of food needed to complete the sculpture are donated by John Deere with delivery from Hy-Vee Food Stores. When completed, the sculpture will be 60 feet wide, 80 feet long and 16 feet tall and will weigh nearly 170 tons. The sculpture depicts John Deere’s new S-690 Combine, which is the world’s most powerful combine that can harvest more than 350 acres of grain a day.

After the public display is over in mid-December the sculpture will be taken down and the cans of food will be donated to the River Bend Foodbank.

We’re talking about 300,000 cans of food here to replicate a full-sized S-Series combine in a field. It would be a world record. Kind of like what America’s farmers do every year – set new records in feeding the world.

The John Deere Project ”CAN DO” combine sculpture and food donation program are designed to raise awareness of the essential role farmers and ranchers play in producing safe, healthy and abundant food for a growing world population, while supplying much needed food supplies to a local food bank during the holiday season. The more than 300,000 cans of food needed to complete the sculpture are donated by John Deere with delivery from Hy-Vee Food Stores. When completed, the sculpture will be 60 feet wide, 80 feet long and 16 feet tall and will weigh nearly 170 tons. The sculpture depicts John Deere’s new S-690 Combine, which is the world’s most powerful combine that can harvest more than 350 acres of grain a day.

Project “CAN DO” also gives consumers a chance to be a part of building the can sculpture by ‘virtually’ creating cans of food, explains Richard Williamson, art director for John Deere Ag and Turf. “Anyone interested in participating can go to the John Deere Facebook page www.facebook.com/johndeere to submit their name and a photograph, which will be wrapped around their virtual personalized food can as part of a virtual sculpture.”

Helping to design the combine sculpture is a team from the Chicago office of architectural firm, RTKL. John Deere employees and retirees will also volunteer to assist with the overall project. The combine can sculpture will be on display at the John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline, Ill., from mid-November to mid-December. All the canned food will be donated to the River Bend Foodbank when the sculpture is dismantled.

Find out more from John Deere.

Learn how this project came to be in this video:

“After all, for decades this bill has been about a whole lot more than just farming. It’s been about energy, it’s been about nutrition, it’s been about jobs. Now, some may keep calling it the Farm Bill out of convenience, or maybe even out of tradition; but I think we’re doing it a disservice,” Vilsack said.

The secretary acknowledged that fiscal and political realities will have an impact on the outcome for any legislation in the coming year. “So our priorities must be clear. We simply need to do more with less,” he said.

Read the secretary’s speech here.

At the John Deere Olathe opening last Friday, Sen. Roberts did just that. “Anyone know a good copyright lawyer?” the senator asked as he took the podium after speeches by Deere’s John Lagemann and Dave Everitt and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. “I’ve been giving the speech that Dave, and John and Sam just gave for the last six months.”

True to form, Roberts mixed his droll brand of humor in with serious comments about feeding the world, praise for John Deere, and political jabs against the current administration. “I don’t know why anybody would propose a budget that would interfere with what we have to do in terms of feeding this country and a troubled and hungry world,” Roberts said. “And I sure as heck don’t know why we are pouring out regulations left and right from every agency especially EPA, that would hinder the production of a wonderful company like this.”

Listen to or download Pat Roberts’ comments at John Deere Olathe opening: Pat Roberts at John Deere Olathe

I took the opportunity to interview Roberts, who is ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, about what’s going on in Washington DC.

Roberts agrees that agriculture must do its part for deficit reduction but opposes the administration proposal to cut crop insurance. “That’s not going to fly, that’s dead on arrival.” He’s working with other agriculture committee leaders in both the Senate and the House to develop a proposal for the Super Committee. “If we do that, it is conceivable that we can do a farm bill at the same time.”

Regarding over-regulation, Roberts says he has proposed regulatory reform legislation for all major government agencies, including EPA or what he calls the “End of Production Agriculture” agency, and he is continuing to fight USDA’s controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard’s Administration (GIPSA) proposal. “Some of these agencies are out of control,” Roberts said. “This would be terribly counter productive to the livestock industry.”

Listen to or download my interview with the senator here: Pat Roberts interview at John Deere Olathe Facility

“This 126,000 square foot facility has been laid out to enhance the work environment for employees and has the most up-to-date technology so we can communicate and train work groups around the world,” said John Lagemann, Vice President, John Deere Ag & Turf Division.

Dave Everitt, president of the Ag & Turf Division, thanked John Deere employees and dealers for the record breaking performance of the company in the third quarter of this year. “All of our efforts are aimed at rapidly moving in a new global arena to help our customers feed and fuel the world,” he said. “We are investing nearly $3 million a day to get that job done.”

Attending the grand opening ceremony to help John Deere celebrate this additional investment in the Kansas economy were U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Governor Sam Brownback and freshman Congressman Kevin Yoder (R-KS).

Check out all the photos from the ceremony here – John Deere Olathe Opening Photo Album

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the unveiling of the new building’s crowning centerpiece that stands at the main entrance – one of the original John Deere deer statues that were first made some time around the early 1900s. Regional controller Mike Snyder explained that an unknown number of the statues were commissioned by the son of John Deere in 1893 to be made by the W.H. Mullins Company of Salem, Ohio. “The statue is made out of hand stamped copper sheets, riveted and welded together and mounted on a steel frame,” he said, noting that Charles Deere saw the statue at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and liked it so much he decided he wanted enough of them to be placed at every John Deere branch office and factory in the country. “Over the years, the importance faded and some were lost but recently company CEO Hans Becherer began a program to find and restore as many of them as possible.” The statue at the Olathe office is one of only 14 the company currently has.

Here is the audio from the opening ceremony, which includes remarks from Barry Nelson, Lagemann, Everitt, Snyder, the congressman, senator and governor. It’s only about 30 minutes long and there’s some pretty good stuff here our farm media friends might like to use: Opening of new John Deere Olathe Facility

See a video of the statue unveiling and ribbon cutting below:

“John Deere was a founding member with CTIC back in 1982,” said John Deere product manager Pauley Bradley on the recent CTIC 2011 Conservation in Action Tour. “John Deere needed a partner where education was required.”

Pauley says CTIC and John Deere have evolved together over the years. “In 1986, there was the realization that conservation was going beyond tillage that that’s when it was re-named the Conservation Technology Information Center,” he said. “And that’s when we started focusing on other aspects of farming besides just seeding and tillage.”

Listen to my interview with Pauley here: John Deere's Pauley Bradley on CTIC Tour

John Deere Solutions Specialist Kim Fletcher gave participants on the bus tour a little pop quiz about the history between John Deere and CTIC – watch it below and see if you know the answers!

CTIC 2011 Conservation in Action Tour Photos

According to Brad, John Deere has increased the cab size on the 6R Series by twenty percent and upped the hydraulics capacity and are offering new loaders to make it a very versatile tractor. He says the company will start building them in January.

Jarrod says the 7R Series is a totally new tractor. They started with a blank slate and built it according to what customers were asking for. For example, the new cab is basically what you only saw on an 8R Series tractors previously. The cabs on the 7/8/9 Series are now the same which makes things easier for operators who have to get in and out of different models.

You can listen to my interview with Brad and Jarrod as they review other features, including horsepower here: Overview of New John Deere Tractors

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

I also spoke with Katie Dierker, Division Marketing Manager, John Deere Harvesting Works. Katie says that almost half of the combine has changed from old to new touching every functional area. That’s due to customer feedback for added productivity. She says they’ve also focused on the front end of the machine with new front end equipment that includes an updated line of 600 Series corn heads. Some major changes were made in the premium cabs to make it more a “home away from home” for producers that include more visibility and even a small refrigerator.

You can listen to my interview with Katie here: Interview with Katie Dierker

One of our field presenters was Allan Wiens, Solutions Specialist from Canada. Allan says they have a brand new 600FD HydraFlex™ Draper, which is available in 35- and 40-foot models.

You can listen to my interview with Allan here: Interview with Allan Wiens

Available for the 2012 harvest season, the S-Series Combines include five models: S550, S660, S670, S680 and S690, which is an all-new Class 9 machine. The S-Series Combines are ideal for producers and agricultural service providers who demand a combine that provides exceptional harvest power, grain-handling performance and field productivity.

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

The radio, which is easy to set up and use, teams up with the Machine Sync activation and GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display and StarFire Receiver to create the in-field network to share logistics information.
Machine Sync is a John Deere exclusive system that takes harvest automation to the next level and the first application that uses the Machine Communication Radio hardware.

We got a field demonstration of how Machine Sync work from John Deere’s Bob Dyer. This was a simulated corn harvest demonstration where the combine and tractor/grain cart were “in sync.” I asked Bob to describe how the system works and you can also see the demonstration in the video.

You can listen to my interview with Bob here: Interview with Bob Dyer

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

I spoke with Barry Nelson, John Deere Manager, Media Relations, to get an overview of all the products being launched. He says it is the largest product launch in the company’s history. John Deere will be 175 years old next year! The equipment unveiled here will be on display at next week’s Farm Progress Show. Get a “picture” of the whole lineup in our interview.

You can listen to my interview with Barry here: Interview with Barry Nelson

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Our ride and drive track provided multiple real field conditions and situations. The tractor is unbelievably comfortable and with the heat we had the air conditioning was a welcome relief. Here’s some information on the new model line.

With a focus on increased power, versatility, capacity and improved operator comfort, John Deere introduces the 7R Series Tractors for the 2011-2012 season. These completely new row-crop tractor models have many of the performance features found in the larger 8R Series, making them even more productive in the field.

The 7R Series Tractors come with a wide array of new customer-driven features including the new IVT and Command QuadTM transmissions, options for larger tires, compact chassis, and greater engine horsepower ratings. These features give the 7R Tractors the versatility to handle the tillage, planting, haying, loader work and many other tough chores on the farm.

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

I visited with John immediately after the show. John says this is a “tremendously important introduction for us because it’s the culmination of a wide portfolio of products with integrated technology.” Connectivity was a key word during the presentation. John estimates that well over 6,000 people will participate in the product launch.

You can listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Lagemann

John Deere today completed the public unveiling of its new ag equipment for 2012 as part of the largest, most significant product introduction in the company’s 174-year history. Significant improvements in power, comfort, and performance are the hallmarks of the new machines including the S-Series Combines with larger corn heads and platforms; high-horsepower 4WD and track 9R/9RT Tractors; 6R Series row-crop tractors and 5 Series utility and specialty tractors.

In addition to new John Deere combines, headers and tractors, the company recently introduced its new 7R Series Tractors for the row-crop market; its largest, most advanced self-propelled 4940 Sprayer with 1,200-gal. solution tank, 120-ft. booms, and advanced loading and application technologies; and revolutionary Triple-Mounted Mower-Conditioner that cuts a swath more than 28 feet wide.

We started our day out in the field with the new machines. I’ve recorded some video and other interviews from there that I’ll be posting over the coming days. But you can bet I got photos that are online!

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

The tractor in the picture is a new 6R Series that was on display.

For the row-crop tractor market, John Deere introduces the 6R Series Tractors for the 2012 season. The new 6R Series, which replaces the John Deere 7430 Premium and 7530 Premium models, includes three tractor models: the 6170R with 170 engine horsepower; the 6190R with 190 engine horsepower; and the 210 horsepower model 6210R.

According to Chris Borgman, John Deere product manager for mid-size tractors, the 6R Series Tractors have a higher horsepower range, increased hydraulic capacity, more integrated technology and larger ComfortView cabs than the previous 7030 Premium Series Tractors.

“On August 24th and 25th we are going to have the largest most significant product introduction in our history.” Barry says the new equipment will be unveiled at the Farm Progress Show. I’ll be there for the launch in August and can’t wait to see what’s new.

You can listen to my conversation with Barry here: Barry Nelson Interview

2011 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

As we reported on Precision Pays, Virginia-based company LightSquared
has proposed to set up 40,000 wireless broad-band stations across the nation on a frequency that is right next to the one used by GPS. Opposition to the plan became organized in the form of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, which consists of a wide variety of industries and companies, including agricultural interests and technology providers such as New Holland, Deere, GROWMARK, Leica Geosystems and Trimble Navigation.

This week, the company announced a solution to the GPS interference issue by moving to a lower block of frequencies that is “largely free of interference issues with the exception of a limited number of high precision GPS receivers that are specifically designed to rely on LightSquared’s spectrum.”

Agricultural interests are concerned about that exception. A study released by the Coalition to Save Our GPS estimates that LightSquared’s plan could result in “direct economic costs of up to $96 billion to U.S. commercial GPS users and manufacturers.” Jim Kirkland, vice president and general counsel of Trimble, says the analysis “also highlights how LightSquared’s recently announced ‘solution’ to the interference problem, which LightSquared admits will not reduce interference for high precision GPS uses, is no solution at all. High precision GPS uses represent nearly $10 billion in historical investment by GPS users over the last five years and $30 billion in annual economic benefits.”

“The use of GPS technology is vital to thousands of people who make their living with agricultural and construction equipment. It is simply not acceptable to allow this new network to interfere with these important industries when all indications are that there is no practical solution to mitigate this interference,” said Ken Golden, director of global public relations at John Deere. “In agriculture, the loss of a stable GPS system could have an impact of anywhere from $14 to $30 billion each year. That could significantly erode the strong competitive global position of U.S. farmers in the world agricultural economy.”

Meanwhile, the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill recently passed by the House includes language specifically to register concerns about the LightSquared network and directs the USDA “to ensure the FCC is aware of these concerns.”

The 7R Series Tractors come with a wide array of new customer-driven features including the new IVT and Command Quad transmissions, options for larger tires, compact chassis, and greater engine horsepower ratings. These features give the 7R Tractors the versatility to handle the tillage, planting, haying, loader work and many other tough chores on the farm.

The 7R Tractors have 30 percent more fuel capacity and 23 percent greater hitch-lift capacity compared to their large-frame 7030 series predecessors. For rear-driven equipment, a new 3-speed economy PTO with power-assist PTO shifting is an available fuel-saving option. Inside the cab, John Deere has made major changes to enhance the operating experience.

The 7R models also can be equipped with ActiveCommand Steering, which utilizes breakthroughs in steering technology to deliver the ultimate in precise steering control, especially at transport speeds.

Burk farms corn, soybeans and hay and raises cattle with his grandfather in southeast Indiana and also works as a mechanic for a general contractor. He said he plans to invest some of the money and use the rest to buy a home or additional farmland. His John Deere dealer is Koenig Equipment, Inc., in Oxford, Ohio.

The Green Fever Sweepstakes, which ended Feb. 28, 2011, drew entries from more than 20,000 property owners, farmers/ranchers and commercial landscape contractors in the United States and Canada.

John Deere selected several dealership promotion days and I showed up to collect some video and ask them what they thought about the new compact and subcompact tractors they drove. It has been a very enjoyable experience because I got to meet some very interesting people.

If you’re interested to see if a John Deere Drive Green Challenge event is coming to your area you can search on the Dealer Events Map.

Tory says the merger that made what is now Hudson River Tractor Company happened in 2005. They serve a combined ag/consumer market with consumer now counting for over half of their business. The territory includes the Albany, NY metro area, northern New York City area and Chatham area. He says the Drive Green Challenge helps bring a lot more attention to all the products that John Deere offers and is a big draw. He says compact tractors and anything to do with improving their landscape seems to be of high interest right now. You can listen to my interview with Tory here: Tory Northrop Interview

You can see photos from the event in the Hudson River Drive Green Challenge Photo Album.

One of the stars of the tour is the truck that travels across the country delivering some of the equipment that is displayed at scheduled events. I met this year’s driver, Brian Middleton, who has already been to more than 20 stops with a lot more to go. As you might imagine, he’s got some great anecdotes about driving this highway billboard: Interview with Brian Middleton

As part of its launch of new large agricultural equipment for 2011, John Deere has created an innovative, interactive new website – johndeere.com/unlock – to give growers an early preview of the new John Deere 7R Tractor, combines and other new equipment for 2011.

For an early inside look at this new equipment, visit www.JohnDeere.com/unlock.

I’m glad to see that the video is also being posted to the John Deere YouTube channel! I’ll be interested to see how this “augmented reality” program works when ready.

During my time here I recorded some excellent customer testimonials for publication on the John Deere Drive Green Challenge website. I also took a lot of photos. Next stop will be Gainesville, FL following the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference.

Here are photos from the event: Ag Pro Companies Drive Green Challenge Photo Album

You can listen to my interview with Barry here: Barry Nelson Interview

Also serving on the board of the Agriculture Council of America is Kent Schescke, National FFA. He says that FFA has been involved for years as a sponsor and by having students participate as student advocates. They spent Monday at the 4H Center getting some preparation for visiting with legislators to talk about agriculture. He says that building good leadership skills goes hand in hand with good advocacy skills.

You can listen to my interview with Kent here: Kent Schescke Interview

The newest member of the board of the Agriculture Council of America is Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (pictured on the right). Colin says there are two things that really prompted NCBA to become involved as a sponsor of Ag Day. One is the ability to use Ag Day as a mechanism to reconnect with the American consumer. The second thing is getting young people involved and Ag Day spends a lot of time getting that done. He says that these things are extremely important. Like Barry and Kent, he encourages more companies and organizations to get involved.

You can listen to my interview with Colin here: Colin Woodall Interview

Another board member of the Agriculture Council of America is Tamara Freund Kass, DTN/The Progressive Farmer. The company is also a partner sponsor of Ag Day. Tamara says she got nominated to the board by Barry. She says the board had a great meeting prior to the banquet and discussed how they can continue to get more people involved in Ag Day. She also makes a point of how this celebration of agriculture is an opportunity for varied industry interests to come together in a united way.

You can listen to my interview with Tamara here: Tamara Freund Kass Interview

2011 National Ag Day Photo Album

AgWired coverage of National Ag Day is sponsored by:
and and

That’s what I did earlier this week at Coufal-Prater Equipment’s John Deere Day which was held at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, TX. Pictured on the right is Tim Prater talking with one of his customers who came out to see new utility tractors and sub-compact tractors. Behind them is a new John Deere Gator XUV which is going to be given away at the end of this year’s Drive Green Challenge tour. You can see a lot of photos from the event in an online photo album.

Tim says Coufal-Prater Equipment is a five store operation that covers most of mid central Texas. He loves to have the John Deere Drive Green Challenge tour stop by since it adds excitement to a local promotion and brings in representatives who can interact on the lot with people who have questions. The day was divided into two parts with commercial operators in the morning and the landowners in the afternoon.

You can listen to my interview with Tim here: Tim Prater Interview

Over the next couple months I’ll be out on location capturing some of the customer experience in photos and video. All will be submitted to the company for use on their Drive Green website. I’ve spoken with a few customers already and they are definitely enjoying the opportunity to ride and drive new tractors, Gators and mowers.