Remembering John Gras

Jan 29, 2020

ST. MARYS, ON – We are saddened to announce that John Gras, one of our fellow farmers, friends and colleagues has passed away.

John was a long-time chicken farmer from St. Marys, Ontario.

A contributor to our industry in many ways, John chaired the Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) District Committee Representative (DCR) team in District 3 and has served his community in great ways over the years through a number of volunteer initiatives.

John will be deeply missed by family - his wife Janie and his children Kayla, Trevor, Devin, Brayden, and Amy at home, as well as his daughter Lauren & Adam (Scarborough) and grandson Emmett of California, his fellow farmers, the CFO team and many others from the agricultural community.

We will miss his dedication and commitment to our collective industry, his willingness to work tirelessly on behalf the CFO farmer-members in his District, and his kind and graceful demeanour.

Source : CFO

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.