John Deere investing in spray application R&D
Investment in a new design and test laboratory will bolster research into new precision spraying technologies as John Deere continues to build its crop treatment equipment portfolio.
Plans to construct a 3,065 sq m (33,000sq ft) facility at Iowa State University (ISU) follows the opening by Deere of a strategic technology innovation centre in the ISU Research Park to collaborate with the company’s business units and complement John Deere’s global network of technology and innovation centres. The move also builds on recent technology investments, including the acquisition earlier this year of high-tech spray boom manufacturer King Agro and the 2017 purchase of Blue River Technology, a specialist in ‘machine learning’ applied to agricultural spraying equipment.
Aaron Wetzel, Deere’s vice president responsible for global crop care, said: “Our customers will benefit from this investment as the spray lab is expected to enhance product design and improve our development cycle.” The facility is expected to be completed by summer 2019 and is contingent on final due diligence as well as required approvals and incentives that are typically available for projects of this nature.
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