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UW Platteville Students To Benefit From New Partnership With Case IH


RACINE, Wis. - Thanks to a long-term partnership announced today between Case IH Agriculture, Ritchie Implement Inc., and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (UWP) Pioneer Farm, students in the UW-Platteville School of Agriculture soon will have access to the newest agricultural equipment and precision farming technologies available, as well as the practical expertise of Case IH and the Ritchie team.

"Access to new Case IH agriculture equipment will be a tremendous asset to Pioneer Farm - the precision farming solutions will greatly increase the productivity of our operations," says Phil Wyse, director of Pioneer Farm. "But more so than that, this partnership advances the mission of Pioneer Farm - to enhance the agricultural education experience for students on campus and for agriculturists throughout the surrounding communities. That's what we're really excited about."

Pioneer Farm, the university's 430-acre working farm, boasts some of the best soil in southwest Wisconsin. The gently rolling fields, managed with conservation in mind, rotate between corn, oats and alfalfa, and those crops help support the farm's dairy, beef and swine enterprises. A combination of new Case IH tractors, hay tools, skid steers, tillage implements, a planter and a combine, delivered in early 2010 and each year thereafter, will be used in the farm's day-to-day operations. The equipment allows students and farm visitors to see the productivity-enhancing benefits of Case IH equipment in real-world applications.

"With the support of Ritchie's and Case IH, the UWP Pioneer Farm is able to make use of cutting-edge farming technology," Wyse adds. "We applaud Ritchie Implement and Case IH for this valuable partnership."

More than machinery

"Students and university researchers will 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."

As part of the agreement, Case IH product specialists will be available to support classroom instruction and participate in student clinics and shared community activities such as University Field Days with hands-on field demonstrations.

"Our locally based Case IH product specialists can bring a great deal of insight and field experience to students and the community," says Jeff Schmaling, senior director of accounts management for Case IH. "They have the unique opportunity to visit farms across the region and help Case IH customers maximize their equipment's productivity and ROI in a variety of crops and field conditions, and they will bring that same practical experience to the university."

School of Agriculture students also will be invited to participate in the annual Case IH Student Plant Tour offered at one of its U.S. manufacturing locations: Racine, Wis.; Benson, Minn.; Fargo, N.D.; Goodfield, Ill.; or Grand Island, Neb.

Schmaling emphasizes the alliance is a win-win for all parties involved. The university will assist Case IH in conducting engineering research and testing new products. Case IH and Ritchie's also will have the opportunity to bring potential customers and employees to Pioneer Farm to see Case IH equipment in action. 

Maximizing university resources
"The support of Ritchie's and Case IH allows us to take our agriculture education, research and community outreach efforts to the next level, without increasing costs," says Dr. Carol Sue Butts, UWP interim chancellor. "Together Case IH, Ritchie Implement and the university will be able to share and exchange knowledge in diverse areas such as biodiesel technology, agricultural mechanics, agribusiness economics, precision farming, soil conservation and more. This truly benefits everyone - students, researchers, faculty, surrounding community members and the state of Wisconsin," adds Butts.

The partnership is a natural fit. The three Ritchie locations serve southwestern Wisconsin; Case IH is headquartered in Racine, Wis.; and graduates of the UWP School of Agriculture, recognized as one of the top agricultural schools in the nation, frequently accept positions with both Case IH and Ritchie's.

Source : Case Ih


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