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Delivering Quality Equipment At John Deere Davenport Works

Delivering Quality Equipment At John Deere Davenport Works
John Deere Davenport Works is dedicated to manufacturing quality construction and forestry equipment for the roughest terrains, but it’s what happens on the factory floor that makes the ultimate difference. Employees are dedicated to not only developing the highest quality machinery but also sharing their thoughts on how to make improvements every day. It’s this type of innovation that keeps John Deere Davenport Works operating to the best of its ability.
 
Communication is Key
 
Close communication and interaction between the design and production teams ensure that equipment is being constructed properly throughout each day. It also gives employees an opportunity to collaborate and ensure that everything is being produced with Deere standards in mind.
 
Integrating Employee Feedback
 
All employees at John Deere Davenport Works are encouraged to share their input in the event that they believe they can improve production. Deere calls this “Continuous Improvement,” and employees are valued for their input and financially rewarded for their ideas.
 
“Just having those ideas available to us is so powerful,” says Yvonne Scheiffer, Quality Engineering Supervisor. “It gives us an opportunity to engineer solutions for common issues or defects, and it gives us a chance to get everyone committed to the process.”
 
Paying Attention to Assembly
 
Perhaps one of the most overlooked highlights of the team at John Deere Davenport Works is their attention to detail. Scott McDonald, John Deere Davenport Works Operations Manager, notes that the people who build the machinery at the facility are the “heart and soul” of the operation.
 
Many of the craftsmen on the site have also been working in the trade for decades. For this reason, supervisors and customers alike can rest assured that each piece of machinery is being pieced together with some of the most knowledgeable people in the business.
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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.