“Precision agriculture is a key to helping meet the world’s demand for increased productivity from agriculture,” said Mike McGrady, John Deere Water Technologies president.

These words, from the recent Deere & Company 2008 Annual Report, accurately sum up the feelings of most growers I talk to who have invested in precision farming technology and truly grasp the next level of efficiency they will achieve.

John Deere, aside from continuing to grow their precision farming technology offerings, continues to look well into the future. The company has been investing in one of the most important inputs of the future–water–as they tout in their report. 

With 70% of the world’s fresh-water consumption related to agriculture, water management is an area of vital importance – as well as exciting growth potential – to John Deere.  In 2008, the company established a leadership position in the field with acquisitions of two successful water-management providers, Plastro Irrigation Systems and T-Systems International. Those moves build on the earlier acquisition of Roberts Irrigation Products in 2006.

Other notes of interest…

2008 AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Strong global farm economy propels division performance to record level; operating profit surges 54% on 37% rise in sales.
  
• Driven by increased global demand, especially in Western Europe, Brazil and Russia, more than half of agricultural division sales are made outside U.S. and Canada. 
  
• Broad, versatile line of utility tractors (45-105 hp) highlight advanced products debuting during year.
  
• In response to long-term growth in global demand, capacity expansions are announced for tractors, in Waterloo, Iowa, and Montenegro, Brazil, and primarily for harvesting equipment, in East Moline, Illinois, and Horizontina, Brazil.