May 31, 2001

NDSU Program Receives John Deere Tractor

The NDSU Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering has taken delivery of a new John Deere tractor valued at $50,000. The Model 6410 tractor is an educational resource supplied by the company as part of its collaborative agreement with the university.

Last October, John Deere Co. and NDSU formally announced a partnership to provide educational and career opportunities for majors in agricultural systems management and agribusiness and applied economics through a specialization in dealer management. The company agreed to provide state-of-the-art equipment, training components and $5,000 annually for scholarships.

"The tractor is a great addition to our educational program," said Leslie Backer, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, who is the dealer management specialization coordinator. "It brings us up to the modern technology used by farmers in the area."

The 90-horsepower tractor equipped with front-wheel assist will be used extensively in at least three agricultural systems management classes, as well as several agricultural and biosystems engineering courses. Backer notes that the company also provided the program with a power train transmission in February.

"Things are going well with the partnership," Backer said. "The program is growing, with great interest from prospective students. We’re getting students from as far away as Wisconsin, so it is enhancing our agricultural systems management program and our agribusiness and applied economics program."

The program currently includes five agricultural systems management students and three agribusiness and applied economics students. In addition, several incoming freshmen in both programs have expressed interest in specializing in dealer management.

John Deere is the world’s leading producer of agricultural equipment, and a major manufacturer of industrial equipment. Founded in 1837 by blacksmith John Deere in Grand Detour, Ill., there are now more than 1,700 John Deere dealer locations across North America. A perennial Fortune 500 member, John Deere has been called the industry’s "most admired" company in the category of "Industrial and Farm Equipment" by Fortune magazine.

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Source: Leslie Backer, (701) 231-7274, leslie_backer@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Steve Bergeson, (701) 231-6101, sbergeso@gwmail.nodak.edu