Situated in the village of Brockenhurst in the New Forest National Park, Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club is one of Hampshire's finest woodland/heathland courses. The club likes to point out that theirs is the correct and original spelling although it is pronounced the same as with the c, which was added to the railway station name in the 19th century by mistake and stuck.The club hosted the first of last summer’s eight Rose Ladies Series tournaments, sponsored by Justin Rose. This was held in June just five weeks after re-opening following a 10-week lockdown, when the greenkeeping team was only doing essential maintenance to keep the course tidy. The idea for the series came from club member and Ladies European Tour player Liz Young, who was beaten by Charley Hull in a play-off at the inaugural event.It was the pre-tournament support that club manager Kevin Light and course manager Kevan Glass received from John Deere’s local turf dealer Hunt Forest Group, particularly groundscare sales & golf specialist Andy Johnson and golf demonstrator Rob Patrick, that contributed to the decision to sign Brokenhurst Manor’s first ever fleet package deal using a John Deere Financial contract lease arrangement.As a result, the club’s greenkeeping team now uses a 7500A PrecisionCut fairway mower, two 2653B tees & surrounds mowers, TX Turf and TE electric Gator utility vehicles, a ProGator equipped with a Charterhouse top dresser and a 5075E utility tractor on low ground pressure tyres, plus ancillary equipment including a tractor trailer, a Campey TB 220 brush and a Tru-Turf greens roller.“Our previous five-year contract was up for renewal in the summer, and the decision to change to John Deere was influenced by a number of things,” says Kevin Light, who has been manager for three years. “Chief among these was that Andy and Rob were very forthcoming with loan machines for testing, demonstrations and tournament support. Both John Deere and the dealership did a very professional job all the way through this period and were really helpful when we needed it.”“We’ve run John Deere tractors here for 20 years, used Gators before and know the 2653 utility mowers well, but the A Model fairway mower and the Tru-Turf roller were firsts for us,” adds Kevan Glass. “We managed to stay positive through the initial lockdown period and utilised the time as well as we could. Along with the new kit, we were able to get quite a few extra jobs done and ticked a number of boxes while we were shut.“There are not a lot of clubs like this one, with the forest all around us – the natural beauty of the woodland feeds onto the golf course, it’s very tranquil and provides great views all the way round. However, with a clay subsoil and situated on a flood plain, it can be a hard job keeping it in top condition. Nowadays people want the full golf course experience, they don’t want tee mats and temporary greens during the winter months for example, so it’s definitely more of a challenge than it was 10 or 20 years ago.”Since Kevin Light took over as club manager, a number of other significant changes have been made and there is a waiting list for members. “We have a great team here now, with Kevan and the greenkeepers, our bar manager Kevin Casswell and club pro Jason MacNiven, who is one of the UK’s leading club fitters, all working together rather than as separate entities,” he says.“As a members club run primarily for our members, we know what people want to see the club evolve into. However, the whole place is a lot more social these days, and I’d like to think more welcoming to visitors. We are now looking forward to hosting another important tournament, the Brabazon Trophy Southern Qualifier, in May if permitted, and I believe the club can continue to grow and prosper, despite what we’ve all had to go through in 2020 and early 2021.”

John Deere is officially supporting the Grounds Management Association’s #GroundsWeek 2021 event, an inaugural celebration week for the turf care sector.Managed by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body for grounds professionals and volunteers, this new turf care campaign will take place from March 1-7. It is designed to celebrate and highlight the vital role that professional grounds staff, volunteers and the turf sector generally play in making sport possible.Following a difficult year for the sector due to the impact of Covid-19, #GroundsWeek aims to showcase grounds staff and the amazing work that they do – and have continued to do – despite sport coming to a grinding halt. It also comes after a year where parks and green spaces have been hugely valuable to the public’s health, with increased use for ‘daily exercise’ and physical activity.To coincide with the week’s celebrations, John Deere Limited will be hosting its first ever Turf Technology online event at 2:30pm on Wednesday 3 March, live from its Langar, Nottingham headquarters. This will highlight the latest technology advances being used on John Deere turf equipment, including GPS guidance, AutoTrac automatic steering, sprayer Section Control and integrated tools to manage traceability data – watch a short video clip here. To participate in this free event, register here.John Deere turf division manager and GMA member Chris Meacock said: “The Turf Technology event will feature Robert Patterson, course manager at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, and Mike Ramsay of MC Country Services Ltd as they share their experience of how our GPS technology in particular has helped their respective golf and groundscare businesses. The event will be around 50 minutes in length, streamed live over a webinar tool with the ability to ask questions directly to the speakers during the event.”Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said: “After a tough year, #GroundsWeek is a fantastic opportunity for every part of the sector to come together and celebrate all the hard work that’s gone on throughout the year. We want to inspire sports fans and the general public to realise the vital role we play and get even more people to enter the profession and lend a helping hand at pitches across the country.“We’re grateful to those officially supporting #GroundsWeek, with businesses and partners helping us champion grounds staff and the amazing work they do.”More information on #GroundsWeek can be found here. John Deere will also be promoting the GMA event on its UK and Irish social media channels, specifically at facebook and https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepitgreenjohndeere.

John Deere Machine Sync enables machines to exchange data on the move and allows combine operators to guide a tractor and trailer alongside the harvester. This unique system is now also available for forage harvesters and tractors to take control during other crop unloading operations.Machine Sync was introduced in 2012 and John Deere remains the only supplier of an integrated system. The technology is especially useful during night-time operations and long working days.The global navigation satellite system (GNNS) based synchronisation allows combines to automatically control the speed and travel direction of tractors and trailers relative to the combine. Machine Sync therefore makes harvesting safer and reduces stress for the operators. It also eliminates waste during unloading and avoids damage to both machines and crops, even at higher driving speeds.The technology is not just applicable to combine harvesters but also to all harvesting processes where crops are continuously loaded into trailers. As a result, John Deere is now offering Machine Sync for use on self-propelled forage harvesters and tractors.In particular, customers working with trailed elevator machinery harvesting potatoes, carrots and vegetables will benefit from this advanced technology. The system also delivers significant assistance and productivity gains to vegetable growers during planting applications.For operation, Machine Sync requires JDLink telematics, a StarFire satellite receiver and a Gen4 Premium display with automation activation. Most customers would select all these components ex-factory when ordering a new tractor and/or self-propelled machine, although retrofitting is also possible.

A John Deere Gator utility vehicle supplied by dealer Seamus Weldon Groundcare Equipment to Ireland’s largest Clean Coasts group is adding extra muscle and pulling power to beach cleaning efforts along a 25-mile stretch of the east Cork coastline.The multi award-winning Clean Coasts Ballynamona Group bought the XUV 855M Gator to help step up its ongoing fight against the scourge of marine litter.Group founder Proinsias Ó Tuama says the vehicle is an essential piece of equipment in tackling the tonnes of litter that wash up on their coastline every year.The Gator has a towing capacity of 680kg and can carry over 450kg of cargo. It is mainly used for helping to pull heavy marine litter such as old, abandoned fishing nets and ropes that wash up on the shore, as well as carrying anything from bags of plastic rubbish to rubber tyres.Founded in 2015, Clean Coasts Ballynamona is now part of the Sea and Land Trust. It has over 300 regular volunteers that clean and maintain an area representing 1.5 per cent of the total Irish coastline, including two Blue Flag and three Green Coast beaches.Alongside this effort, the group manages 34 acres of meadowland spread across the county, which is grown to encourage pollinators and wildlife. This is maintained by a John Deere X950R rear discharge/rear collect diesel lawn tractor, also supplied by Weldons. In addition, the group consults with businesses and landowners on biodiversity plans covering a further 600 acres of private and public spaces, so these can be managed more sympathetically to benefit the environment – all free of charge.“In our first year as a group we lifted 12 tonnes of marine litter on less than a mile of beach at Ballynamona – multiply that up by the entire Irish coastline and you can see the scale of the problem,” says Proinsias Ó Tuama, who is a teacher with the Cork Education and Training Board. “We were using a quad bike and trailer before, which were adequate for the job, but the group is very health and safety conscious so we set about looking for a more effective replacement.“Having had a good experience with the lawn tractor, it made sense to go back to Michael Weldon at the John Deere dealership, so we sold the quad bike and also got Fisheries Local Action Group funding to help pay for the new Gator and a wider trailer. I’m proud to say we have a 100 per cent safety record to date in the volunteer beach cleaning operation, so the Gator’s proved to be an ideal solution.“When you’re picking up plastic bottles for example, very often they’re full of sea water, sand and other debris, and this can make the collection bags very heavy to carry safely along a long stretch of beach. This is not ideal, particularly for very young children, so it makes sense to use a four-wheel drive vehicle with a load bed and a decent capacity to carry the full bags back to the beach car park for safe disposal.“Over the years the group’s been active, we have brought more than 1000 people beach cleaning voluntarily. We’ve always tried to be as inclusive as possible of everyone that wishes to help, and we find kids of all ages get hooked from the start. Educating young people about the environment is a key element of our work and effort, so we liaise with local schools and colleges and are very much engaged with the community.“Pristine coasts are essential. They are not just very important ecosystems, they are also crucial for the local economy. The addition of this new John Deere Gator has really expanded our beach cleaning capabilities, as well as making the job more efficient and safer for our volunteers.”

Golfers visiting Leven Links Golf Course in Fife are often unaware that they are playing, in part, over one of the oldest pieces of golfing land in the world. This is a traditional links with rolling fairways, many of which are lined by ancient sand dunes, fast putting surfaces, burns and pot bunkers.The club dates back to 1820 although golf only started being played here in 1846, and it is thought that the original layout became the first course that century to boast both 18 tees and 18 greens. Leven Links also lays claim to hosting the oldest open amateur strokeplay championship in the world.The Standard Life Assurance Company’s Amateur Champion Gold Medal has been held here since 1870, with more recent winners including Lee Westwood and Andrew Coltart. It also hosts the historic Lindsay Shield, an interclub match between Leven, St Andrews and Carnoustie which can be traced back over 150 years.Establishing a new heritage is the aim of course manager David Gray, who took over here in September 2018 after a period as head greenkeeper at Ladybank Golf Club, also in Fife. David, who is a BIGGA Central Section Scotland committee member, believes there is a lot of potential to bring Leven Links back to a pre-eminent position by once more hosting big events and putting its name firmly back on the golfing map.Two clubs share the course, Leven Golfing Society and Leven Thistle, and this comes with its own challenges, says David. The sheer volume of competitive golf generates a lot of work to meet the required standards and means the pressure on the small greenkeeping team is constant.“It’s great to have the opportunity to manage my own course in the way I’d like,” says David. “Expectations are high, and we’re trying to produce the best possible conditions on a day to day basis. This has meant the introduction of more modern techniques and cultural practices, as well as investment in up to date course machinery.“With the exception of my deputy Gary McLaren, who has spent an impressive 30 years at Leven Links, I have been able to build a fantastic new team who have adapted very well to my strategies and are loving the introduction of the new equipment. Teamwork is hugely important in our industry and with staff working independently towards the same end goal, the collective results are so rewarding.”As part of this initial modernisation process, a ProGator utility vehicle equipped with an HD200 amenity turf sprayer was bought from local John Deere dealer Double A at Cupar.This provides more accuracy and precision plus a bigger tank capacity than the course’s previous mounted sprayer, and led to the clubs’ first John Deere machinery deal being agreed with the dealership in late 2019, as part of a new partnership approach.The fleet now also includes 2500E hybrid electric and 2550 E-Cut triplex greens mowers, another ProGator with a Dakota top dresser, TE electric and HPX diesel Gator utility vehicles and an R Series walk-behind rotary mower plus ancillary products including a Wessex collector and a Tru-Turf greens roller, for which Double A is the official UK distributor.“There was no structured machinery replacement strategy in place when I came to the club, so this was one of the first things we had to address to improve the overall course quality and presentation, as well as reliability of the equipment,” says David.“I made a proposal to the Leven Links Joint Committee, and their support has been fantastic, bearing in mind we are breaking completely new ground for the clubs with this deal. Now we have an established plan and we’re always talking about what happens next, so it’s very much a continuing process.“We opted for a John Deere Financial lease deal, which proved to be extremely flexible as not only could we defer payments due to Covid-19, we were also able to bundle in an extra machine, the HPX Gator,” says David. “We had great support too from John Bateson of Double A, and both of these aspects were key factors in making the deal happen very quickly and smoothly.“Our cutting regimes have changed as well since bringing in the new Tru-Turf roller. John Deere cutting units are set up differently to our previous mowers and the clip rates are higher, so by using the roller we can miss out the odd cut now and again, which is a great bonus given the pressures on play.“My past experience with Double A has been worth a lot, especially having them on the doorstep and knowing I can rely on the same level of service I’ve always received,” adds David. “They helped me to focus on exactly what I needed to fit in with my plans for the course, and we’re already benefiting from that and the great technological strides John Deere has made in recent years with its product range.”

The new look, feel and navigation of the John Deere Operations Center make it easier to use and provide a more consistent user experience with the latest mobile version.The established MyOperations App for smartphones and tablets has been renamed Operations Center mobile and pairs well with the Operations Center web version. Both provide users with an all-inclusive farm management tool. Another improvement is the addition of Work Planner, which is now a key feature of the new AutoSetup system that allows farmers to streamline their work set-up and help operators start working more quickly in the field.Farmers already use the popular Operations Center to collect and securely store their field, crop and machine data from their connected machines for easy analysis and to aid decision making. To meet the constantly changing demands of the business of farming, the improved Operations Center is designed to bring more clarity and organisation to farm data management.It can help farmers set up, plan, monitor and analyse their data to make sound business decisions using the following features:Setup uses a JDLink connection and the Operations Center to synchronise the farm’s data, saving time while eliminating possible data entry errors.Plan uses a Generation 4 Display with the Work Planner feature to improve efficiency through increased accuracy.Monitor, with a JDLink connection and the new Home and Map tabs, helps farmers keep a watchful eye on their entire operation to ensure quality and efficiency, even when they’re away from the farm.The new Analyze tab in the Operations Center helps farmers turn this year’s results into next year’s decisions.“We know today’s farmers are always on the move, which makes the app version of Operations Center more important than ever,” says Peter Koch, John Deere’s Digital Technology Marketing Manager. “That’s why John Deere has improved both web and mobile versions, to make them look more alike and function in a similar manner. ”To get the most from John Deere Precision Ag technologies, Peter Koch suggests farmers need the following:a Generation 4 CommandCenter display that gives farmers more precise control of machine functions from the cab;a StarFire receiver to ensure accurate positioning;JDLink telematics, which serves as the wireless connection between machines and streams data from the Gen4 display to the Operations Center.Using the Operations Center’s new Work Planner feature, farmers can now preload all their display information so operators no longer need to complete this step once they are in the cab.The improved Operations Center is now live, and new customers can create an account online or download the Operations Center mobile app from the Google Play or Apple App Stores. Existing users will automatically receive all updates in both Operations Center web and mobile versions. More information about the new Operations Center is available from John Deere dealers or by visiting John Deere Operations Center.

Among a host of new additions to the company’s lawn tractor and zero-turn mower ranges for 2021, John Deere has expanded its commercial ZTrak ZTR range to include two new petrol models and two rear-discharge decks to meet customer demand.Offering a high-output yet compact solution for groundscare professionals, particularly when working in restricted spaces, John Deere zero-turn mowers are based on a robust, heavy-duty frame including a ROPS. The high-gauge PRO steel rotary cutting decks feature a deep mowing chamber designed to handle more grass for increased capacity. This increases airflow so that a quality cut can be achieved even when mowing at maximum speed.The new Z740R semi-commercial mower is powered by a Kawasaki 23.5hp commercial grade petrol engine, while the Z950R commercial machine has a larger Kawasaki 27hp petrol engine and is equipped with Michelin Tweel X Turf airless radial tyres as standard (these are optional on the smaller model). Both mowers feature an adjustable operator platform and ComfortGlide suspension seat with armrests, with easy access to a quick-change height-of-cut dial and on-the-go tracking adjustments to maximise mowing performance.The Z740R offers a choice of high-capacity 122 or 137cm (48 or 54in) side-discharge decks, while the larger Z950R is available with 137 or 152cm (54 or 60in) side-discharge and new 152cm (60in) rear-discharge decks. John Deere’s existing Stage V diesel engine zero-turn mowers, the Z994R 24.7hp and Z997R 37.4hp models, can now be fitted with a choice of 152cm (60in) side-discharge and new 152 or 183cm (60 or 72in) rear-discharge decks in addition to the previously available side-discharge options, depending on model.The new heavy-duty rear-discharge decks employ a single-belt deck design for easy maintenance, and are mulching enabled for a cleaner finish. These have been introduced to the John Deere zero-turn mower range for the first time, specifically for those customers who require this particular configuration to meet contract requirements.All these new zero-turn mowers also provide easy access for servicing and on-board diagnostics, while available attachments include a tool carrier, striping brush and storage tray.Available in Europe since 2019, when they were introduced on John Deere’s ZTrak 900 Series commercial ZTR mowers, the Michelin X Tweel Turf airless radial tyre virtually eliminates tyre downtime from punctures when compared to traditional pneumatic tyres, and is almost maintenance free.It has the same dimensions and bolt pattern as a standard tyre, but features automotive rubber technology that allows the tread to last up to three times longer. The Tweel also reduces ground compaction and increases ride quality, which is enhanced by the mowers’ ComfortGlide seat.

John Deere and training provider ProVQ have announced plans to open a brand new Apprentice Training Centre this autumn, at a farm site in Upper Saxondale near Bingham in Nottinghamshire. This will mark the 30th anniversary of the company’s first Ag Tech apprentice intake, who were enrolled at original partner Brooksby Melton College in 1992.Designed specifically and solely for John Deere dealer apprentices attending the company’s award winning Ag Tech, Turf Tech and Parts Tech training programmes, the first John Deere Apprentice Training Centre was established at Radcliffe-on-Trent five years ago. These premises have now been outgrown, due to the programmes’ success and increasing dealer demand.The Ag ,Turf and Parts Tech apprenticeships focus on developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for dealer personnel of the future. Each year group trains at the centre for up to eight weeks a year in four blocks of two weeks. Some of this time is also spent at John Deere’s Langar HQ when working with the largest equipment and the latest technologies.John Deere appointed ProVQ Limited in summer 2015 as its new business partner to deliver the apprentice training programmes on behalf of its dealers in the UK & Ireland. Since that time the strength of the partnership has allowed the programmes to develop and grow to meet the needs and expectations of a modern John Deere dealership. The current full-time ProVQ staff will continue to be managed by James Haslam at the new Apprentice Training Centre from the autumn.ProVQ started its apprentice training programmes in 2005, and went on to develop a full range of national services including apprentice recruitment, training, vocational assessment and qualifications. Today the company trains over 600 apprentices and many hundreds of adult learners on technical, parts and customer service programmes.“We are really looking forward to establishing this new bespoke facility close to our UK headquarters at Langar,” said John Deere Limited training centre manager Allan Cochran. “Our joint investment in the expanded Apprentice Training Centre will be in the region of £1.5 million. This will allow us to continue our growth and ambition to attract more young talent to develop successful careers in land-based engineering through the John Deere agricultural, turf and forestry dealer network.“As our dealership businesses continue to grow, there is increasing demand for qualified technicians equipped with the correct knowledge and skills to support that growth. We have therefore recognised the need to increase the capacity of our already successful and industry leading training programmes even further.“The new site will feature a purpose-built two-storey unit in addition to refurbished and extended farm buildings, effectively almost doubling our available square footage. The premises will include a bigger workshop space as well as larger classroom and cafeteria facilities.“Most importantly, this will give us the capability to double our throughput of trained technicians to meet dealer demand. ProVQ will maintain its current staffing levels and continue to provide the full suite of apprentice technician training programmes at the new premises.”ProVQ managing director Stuart Jones added: “Together with John Deere, we have already jointly developed a very high quality training environment in which apprentices can learn to master the technology that underpins the company’s comprehensive agricultural and amenity turf product ranges.“We are now looking forward to seeing many more young people come through the doors of our new training centre at the start of what is undoubtedly a very exciting and rewarding career in engineering and parts support. The facilities we are developing will help them to achieve their full potential in a rapidly changing industry that offers a great opportunity to work with some of the most advanced technologies supporting food production, land management and environmental sustainability.”

John Deere’s south-west England turf dealership Masons Kings sold the first 2750E hybrid electric triplex mower in the area to The Point at Polzeath resort in north Cornwall, with the golf course’s head greenkeeper Tom Collings calling it “... just the mower I wanted”.The 18 hole golf course sits just above the Camel Estuary with stunning views out over Hayle Bay and Pentire Point, and was England Golf’s GolfMark ‘Club of the Year’ winner in 2017. The club was bought out of liquidation in 2012 by husband and wife team Jeremy Davies and his wife Eva, who have since made a significant investment in every aspect of the business.This has included the course maintenance equipment fleet, to get the course back into better shape and improve standards across the board. As a result, the greens are now considered to be among the best in the county and the presentation of the course is first class. Most holes have seen significant changes, with improvements to the fairway definition, bunkers, tees and greens, and a new 160-yard par 3 7th hole being developed.The club has steadily replaced its previous, ageing machinery fleet over the last five years and invested in new John Deere machines from the Masons Kings outlet at St Columb. In addition to the 2750E, a new pedestrian Aercore 800 aerator was delivered to the club following an end of year demonstration, “...just in time for Christmas!” says dealer sales consultant David Barnes.Summer 2020 also saw the arrival of a 7700A PrecisionCut fairway mower, following two 220SL walk-behind greens mowers in 2019 and a 9009A TerrainCut rotary rough mower, 4066R compact tractor, ProGator utility vehicle and 8800A TerrainCut mower spread over the previous three years. “We are continuously investing in John Deere’s latest golf equipment and precision technology as we aim to be the leading supplier of machinery and product support for golf courses across the south-west of England,” adds David Barnes. “The Point at Polzeath was the first club in our area to buy the new 2750E, and we are confident it will do a great job across the course for Tom and his team.”Tom Collings came to The Point from nearby Trevose in 2009 and has seen the change of ownership breathe new life into what at that time had been a struggling business. “The owners believe if you’re not moving forward, you’re going backwards, so they’ve continued investing as far as possible, even during the pandemic,” he says.“We bought the 8800A outright back in 2016 as part of the initial machinery investment, but since then we’ve taken all the mowing equipment on a five-year finance lease arrangement with John Deere Financial. We’ve continued to buy the tractors, utility vehicles and hand mowers, as these tend to last a lot longer if you look after them well, although it always depends on the owners’ preference each time.“I also have a good relationship with David Barnes and parts manager Rob Blundell at Masons Kings,” adds Tom. “They have always been very helpful and accommodating, even before we started buying more John Deere equipment, and have helped me out many times by supplying parts for our older kit, for example – so in a way it’s been our turn to repay the favour with these latest purchases.“I first saw the 2750E on social media after it was launched at BTME, and then John Deere invited me to visit Wentworth. Territory manager Nick Ashman talked about the changes the company had made to the mower and the benefits it could offer, so I was keen to have a look at it working on our course.“Masons Kings arranged a demonstration here and after cutting the first green I was completely sold, I just found it a totally different experience to any previous mower. Given how it handled and coped so easily with the conditions around the course, the decision to buy one was a no-brainer – it was just the mower I wanted.”

With a new site-specific app developed by the German start-up company Solorrow, farmers can easily create variable rate application maps for fertilising and other field operations and share them with the John Deere Operations Center.From there, maps can be sent wirelessly to machines in the field to enable more precise applications, so that fertilisers and crop protection chemicals can be used more effectively and the environment protected in a sustainable way.Software and app developments are becoming increasingly important in precision farming. Solorrow offers an affordable and very easy solution, which allows users to quickly identify fields and their boundaries in a map view on their tablet or smartphone.Based on five years of biomass data, the selected areas can then be divided into different soil zones that act as the basis for fertiliser and spray application maps. These maps can be sent from the app to the John Deere Operations Center and then also sent wirelessly to the appropriate vehicle. The John Deere in-cab display receives the data and then gives the ISOBUS controlled fertiliser spreader or sprayer the site-specific application rate based on its current position in the field.This interaction between the Solorrow app and John Deere’s Precision Ag technology solutions not only has agricultural benefits. The collaboration also demonstrates that a smooth exchange of data between different manufacturers’ software solutions is both possible and practical. In this way farmers always maintain full control over their data flow and data ownership.With this new app, Solorrow and John Deere are combining their marketing and sales activities. This allows John Deere dealers to offer farmers and contractors an even wider range of Precision Ag systems, and customers can continue to benefit from the usual services for consultation, commissioning and technical support.

John Deere Precision Ag technologies enable farmers to lower their environmental footprint. With the latest Precision Farming DLC (Down Loadable Content) running on GIANTS’ Farming Simulator, the general public will be able to improve their knowledge of modern farming. The second version of this popular video game’s DLC will focus on sustainability and will use modern technology to reduce the amount of herbicides, while the application of organic and mineral fertilisers will also be more accurate. John Deere, a global leader in precision farming technologies, and GIANTS Software, developer of the most successful farming simulation game series, have jointly developed the Precision Farming DLC. This was achieved in cooperation with the University of Hohenheim, University of Reading and Spanish agri-food cooperative Grupo AN. It was funded by EIT Food, the world's largest Agri-food Innovation Ecosystem supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), with the goal of improving society’s knowledge of modern farming. The project led to the publication of a download link for the first DLC on December 8th last year:https://farming-simulator.com/mod.php?&mod_id=188882&title=fs2019Looking back on the completion of a very successful project with a great result, Thomas Engel, project leader at John Deere, says: “The cooperation between all the partners has been fantastic and the DLC far exceeds my expectations.” Thomas Frey, Creative Director at GIANTS Software, adds: “We’re excited about the continuation of the project and the opportunity to take part in this important undertaking to emphasise the benefits of sustainable farming technologies.”In the meantime, the first DLC has been downloaded nearly one million times and feedback from the gaming community is very positive. Excitement in the gaming community has also raised expectations for more features in the next version. John Deere therefore recently started developing a new and extended DLC, again funded by EIT Food. Besides the existing partners, the team now involves the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research from the Polish Academy of Sciences, in order to cover the farming community and young farmers from Eastern Europe.The next Precision Farming DLC will be based on the new Farming Simulator 22 video game, which will be launched on November 22nd. Gamers can look forward to a host of new features and excitement is already growing for the launch. While the first version included most of the basics of precision farming such as soil sampling and variable rate applications along with the economic benefits for the farmer, the second version will focus on advanced precision farming technologies.These features allow the sustainability of modern farming to be increased even further, with a much lower environmental footprint. Camera technologies will be used to reduce the amount of herbicides used, and the application of organic and mineral fertilisers will be made more accurate with the use of modern sensors.

A total of 27 young service technicians have formally graduated from the latest John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, which are run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ.With no prospect of holding the traditional graduation ceremony in 2020 attended by the students, their parents and dealer representatives, John Deere’s training team came up with an alternative plan. Each graduate had their own individual ceremony at their employing dealership, where they were presented with a specially created hamper and their graduation certificate.As well as the hamper there were additional prizes awarded to four top apprentices. The Tech Apprentice of the Year award went to Matthew McPherson from John Deere Forestry, Carlisle who received a crystal plaque and an iPad. The runners-up were William Anderson of J&S Montgomery, Beith and William Smith of Tallis Amos Group, Bibury, who each received high street vouchers worth £250. Parts Tech Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Corey Pilcher from Farol, Midhurst, who received a crystal plaque and an iPad.These annual awards are based on the trainees’ consistently high standards of work, both at their dealerships and at the training centre, over the three years of the apprenticeship.“Successfully completing an apprenticeship is an achievement that deserves proper recognition and we were determined that these graduates should not miss out,” says John Deere Limited training centre manager Allan Cochran.“Once we settled on hampers we decided to make up these special prizes ourselves. Sourcing produce near to our Langar headquarters enabled us to help support local businesses during the pandemic. We used the John Deere overnight parts distribution network to deliver the hampers and certificates to the sponsoring dealers, so that all the graduates could be presented with their awards on the same day.”Tech Apprentice of the Year Matthew McPherson was the first trainee from John Deere Forestry to join the apprenticeship scheme in 2016. A combination of workshop and in-the-field training enabled Matthew to progress very quickly to the role of field service engineer, a position he has held since 2018.John Deere’s three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships involve students being trained in engineering, electronics, hydraulics, diagnostics, communication skills, computing, sales and marketing. The programmes lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering and Vehicle Parts Competence, and registration at LTA Intermediate level in the industry’s Landbased Training Accreditation scheme.In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA Master Technician accreditation.New student intakes are in September each year; apprentices need to be resident in the UK, sponsored by a John Deere dealer and aged 16 or over. The standard programmes include on-the-job training and assessment as well as eight weeks each year at the John Deere Apprentice Training Centre, when possible.Further details of the various programmes can be found at https://apprenticeshipfinder.co.uk/john-deere.Now in its 29th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, approaching 850 apprentices have graduated through the three main schemes and are now working in the company’s nationwide dealer network.

John Deere’s leading precision ag technology solutions for arable farmers and contractors will be featured on the company’s stand (525) at Cereals 2021 on June 30 and July 1, alongside its latest new products.Among these, and making their event debut, are the 7R 350 and award-winning 8RX four-track tractors, while the R740i trailed sprayer and Mazzotti MAF 4080 self-propelled sprayer with 36m boom can be seen in the Sprays & Sprayers demonstration arena.Built in a compact frame for easy manoeuvrability in the field, the 8RX Series has been developed with the aim of maximising soil protection without compromising tractor performance. Following a series of dealer roadshows, individual customer demonstrations and virtual events in 2020, the 8RX has proved to be extremely popular with UK farmers and contractors, who have recognised and experienced its successful combination of soil preservation with greater productivity.Also featured for the first time at Cereals 2021, the flagship X9 combine represents the next level of John Deere harvesting performance to help large-scale farmers achieve more tonnes per hour and more hectares per day, specifically in tough, high yielding, wet conditions. The X9 1100 can harvest wheat at an impressive 100 tonnes per hour at less than one per cent grain loss.An 8RX tractor and ExactEmerge planter combination were featured in a virtual John Deere display at the US Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, which is billed as the world’s largest technology event.In the lead up to this year’s show, the new X9 Series combines were recognised in the Robotics category of the 2021 CES Innovation Awards. This was the second straight year John Deere has received such an award, after the 8RX tractor was honoured in the ‘Tech for a Better World’ category in 2020.These awards recognise outstanding product design and engineering in technology products that impact society and the world in a positive way. The X9 Series combines also received a 2021 AE50 Award for outstanding innovations that improve production agriculture.Featuring the stepless AutoPowr transmission as standard, the new top of the range 7R 350 tractor develops up to 388hp with Intelligent Power Management. With a minimum shipping weight of only 11.4 tonnes, this latest 7R Series model boasts an impressive power to weight ratio of just 29kg/hp. Upgrades include a new luxury cab with top-quality massage seat, the CommandPRO joystick and enhanced Precision Ag technology features.Especially now, John Deere and its dealer network see the future of farming in connectivity that makes the most of machine, field and agronomy data in the decision-making process and provides full control of the production chain. The company is pioneering the use of such data based around the new MyJohnDeere.com website portal and proactive Connected Support systems, to provide increased uptime, higher performance and reduced operating costs.Investment in a premium connectivity package can provide average savings of up to £48/ha. These figures can typically be achieved through a combination of increased productivity and machine efficiency, consistent accuracy, less wear and tear on equipment and typical fuel savings of 10 to 15 per cent, as highlighted by the recently expanded Fuel Guarantee programme.The John Deere Operations Centre in MyJohnDeere.com serves as the central online location for users to safely and securely connect to their machines and fields. Additional support is available from third-party implement manufacturers, input suppliers, software companies and service providers such as crop advisors and other specialist consultants.In addition, with the newly simplified, free of charge Operations Centre mobile and web versions, users can view, manage and analyse all their operations from any location.Precision and intelligent technology are also incorporated in the mid-range R740i trailed sprayer. This 4000-litre capacity machine offers boom widths from 18 to 30m, with premium features including a new multi-functional control lever, the Solution Command operator station and the proven PowrSpray dual-circuit solution system. This reduces filling times, improves spray application and increases accuracy.This new sprayer is also available with a closed transfer system (CTS)-ready option, and can be equipped with an individual nozzle control (INC) system. This electronic solution allows customers to save up to five per cent of the cost of plant protection products.Mazzotti’s new compact self-propelled sprayer, the MAF 4080, also makes its UK show debut at Cereals 2021. This Tier 5 175hp 4000-litre capacity model features a new M-Spray dual-circuit solution system, a wide range of MK spray booms from 24 to 36m wide, John Deere spray controls including INC, a new John Deere-sourced operator station and a high-performance hydrostatic 40 or 50kph transmission as standard.

A well-maintained lawn is always a welcome sight, and never more so than now. John Deere is introducing new features to its X100 Series range of lawn tractors for 2021, along with updates to the X300 and X500 Series, and three new ZTrak zero-turn ride-on mowers.All six models in the X100 range incorporate the stylish new bonnet design. The hydrostatic transmission and side-by side pedals enable the operator to change direction without raising a foot, making them very comfortable to operate. The grass collector bag has been redesigned for easier emptying and cleaning. Standard on the X117R, X147R and X167R lawn tractors, the collector is available as an option on the X107, X127 and X167 side-discharge models.The car-style dashboard now includes an easy-to-read fuel gauge on the X127 and X167 models. A new open back seat on selected models in the range offers enhanced comfort, especially on hot days.All X300 and X500 Series lawn tractors for 2021 benefit from more powerful engines which enable them to handle steeper slopes and speeds up mowing in larger areas, as well as improved snow blowing performance in winter. The X354, X370 and X380 models come with a new style high back seat that delivers a higher level of comfort and support.Three new Z500 zero-turn ride-on mowers also join the John Deere line-up for 2021. The Z515E, Z530M and top of the range Z545R all deliver outstanding agility for fast mowing, especially around obstacles and on uneven ground. All three machines feature deep decks with a cutting width of 122cm (48in) and a wide discharge chute for excellent grass distribution even at high ground speeds. A robust frame and roll over protection (ROPS) are standard on all models.The Z545R benefits from an electric fuel injection engine with electronic hand throttle and integrated LED lighting (standard on R and optional on E and M models).