Case IH and several Wisconsin Case IH dealers are partnering with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Agricultural Research Stations as part of the company’s commitment to help agriculture producers “Be Ready” for the future. The partnership will allow research station staff, researchers and students a chance to use and learn about precision farming technologies and the latest ag equipment advances on the university’s hundreds of acres of research plots.
Approximately 150 pieces of agricultural equipment will be supplied as part of a low-cost lease program to the university’s 12 research stations that cover more than 7,000 acres across the state.
The program is expected to save UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural Life Sciences tens of thousands of dollars in machinery lease, purchase and service costs in 2011. The savings come at a great time as state is reducing its funding.
The sprayers and planters, equipped with state-of-the-art AFS precision farming technology, will make it easier to achieve the uniform planting depths and application rates that are essential for conducting accurate field trials, according to Dwight Mueller, director of the research stations.
“One reason we’ve initiated this program is to give university staff and students experience with new Case IH equipment and to give local producers and others in the agricultural industry a chance to see it perform first hand,” says Patricia Lardie, manager of government sales for Case IH. “But it goes beyond that. As a Wisconsin-based company, Case IH feels a strong commitment to supporting agricultural research and education in our home state.
“It is our hope that bringing best-in-class machinery and precision farming technology to University students will deepen their passion and commitment to continuing Wisconsin’s family farming tradition or pursuing a career in agribusiness.”
With the support of local dealers, Case IH has already implemented similar programs across the state. Fox Valley Technical College, North Central Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, UW-River Falls Mann Valley Farm & Equine Farm and the UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm have all benefited from partnering with Case IH.
“Students and university researchers get to see, run, test and learn all about the newest innovations in production agriculture first-hand,” explains Ron Ritchie, president of Ritchie Implement Inc., a Case IH dealer with locations in Barneveld, Cobb and Darlington, Wis. “Our goal is not only to broaden ag students’ educational experience and better prepare them for their farming careers, but also to enhance educational opportunities for active producers locally, regionally and across the state. We’re excited to be part of that important effort.”
The Case IH dealerships involved in the partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison are Service Motor Co., Ritchie Implement, Farmer’s Implement and Value Implement.
The Case IH dealership that partnered with North Central Technical College in Wausau and Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton is Service Motor Co. The Case IH dealership that partnered with UW-River Falls and Chippewa Valley Technical College is Value Implement Co. The Case IH dealership that partnered with UW-Platteville is Ritchie Implement.