March 10, 2008 - Look to John Deere to provide the complete seeding solution for your property. Why not team up a 9030 Series Tractor, 1870 Air Hoe Drill, 1910 Air Commodity Cart with state-of-the-art Ag Management Solutions equipment for the ultimate in agronomic productivity and efficiency.

The 9030 Series Tractors line-up consists of eight new tyre- and track-equipped models ranging in horsepower from 325 to 530 hp (242 to 395 kW). These tractors are engineered for big-time field operations and provide cleaner-burning engines and more power, productivity and operator comfort.

"These highly productive tractors feature the innovative John Deere PowerTech Plus™ engines," says Royce Bell, Tactical Segment Manager, John Deere Limited. "They are cleaner burning than previous models and are engineered specifically for high-horsepower field applications to help the operator get more done in less time."

The six-cylinder PowerTech Plus™ engines are designed with four valves per cylinder, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a variable geometry turbo (VGT). The result is a cleaner-burning engine delivering up to a 38 percent torque rise and a 10 percent power bulge to bring more power and performance to the ground while keeping emissions low.

A key feature of all 9030 Series Tractors is a larger fuel tank, which gives the new tractors up to 33 percent greater on-board fuel capacity. Combined with the fuel-efficient engines, the 9030 Series Tractors will stay longer in the field and allow the operator to cover more acres in less time.

"The new 9030 Series Tractors offer more power and performance than the models they replace," explains Bell. "With fuel-efficient PowerTech Plus™ engines, more horsepower for each model, more comfort in the cab and integrated technology for easy installation of AutoTrac™ and other precision guidance technology, we are confident that these are the most productive high-horsepower tractors ever built by John Deere."

Adding to an already extensive line-up of air-seeding tools, John Deere now provides customers an efficient, environmentally-friendly seeding solution with hydraulic-tyne technology on the new 1870 Air Hoe Drills.

"We invested in new technology, the Conserva Pak™ hydraulic shank opener, which does an exceptional job in placing seed and fertiliser at a more accurate and consistent depth. The result is more accurate placement of fertiliser, reduced seed, fertiliser and input costs, and consistent, uniform emergence throughout the field for higher yields. This translates to a greater potential for improved income, while optimising conditions for responsible stewardship of the soil."

"The real story on the 1870 seeders is the independently controlled hydraulic shank opener, Conserva Pak™, which enables the placement of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and sulphur-based fertilisers up to 102 mm (4 in.) away from the seed," explains Bell. "This positive vertical and horizontal separation of fertiliser and seed eliminates seeding damage caused by some fertiliser forms. This translates to more efficient placement of fertiliser, decreased seed damage, and optimised crop yields.

"Studies have also shown that direct seeding with the Conserva Pak™ system reduces wind and water erosion while building organic matter," emphasizes Bell. "Being able to seed directly into stubble and residue leads to improved storage of moisture from rain or snow, which provides good moisture to the crop. The system is environmentally-friendly while increasing the potential for yields."

This environmentally-friendly system builds organic matter and sequesters CO₂. This increases available nitrogen allowing it to be mineralised into a form available to the crop, which means less run-off or leaching.

"As another benefit to our customers, we've designed the air seeding packages to be fully compatible with all GreenStar™ 2 precision guidance and map-based prescription seeding, fertilising, and field documentation systems," says Bell. "These systems, integrated with the Conserva Pak™ hydraulic shank openers, give us the most productive and environmentally-friendly air hoe drills we've ever designed and built."

The 1870 Air Hoe Drill is available in two widths, the three-section 12 m model, and the five-section 17 m model; both team up perfectly with the 1910 Air Commodity Carts. The 1910 is available in nine different sizes: choose from 6800 to 15000 litre, two or three tanks, tow-between or tow-behind. Tow-between models eliminate tracking over the finished seedbed and offer better weight transfer and more stability on slopes and hillsides, but provide less visibility to the seeding tool. Tow-behind models allow you to use the three larger models up to 15000 litre for more capacity, and present a better view of the seeding tool.

The 1910 has another advantage: It’s fully integrated SeedSmart map-based prescription with GreenStar™ Parallel Tracking™ and AutoTrac™ and is suited to Controlled Traffic Farming with a 3m wheel track option. These guidance products help boost efficiency when seeding.

Parallel Tracking™ or AutoTrac™, provided by Ag Management Solutions, are great options to increase field efficiency, eliminate costly field overlap, and provide relief for operator fatigue. Parallel Tracking™ shows the operator-designated path on the GreenStar™ display. It provides visual and audible alerts to assist the operator in staying parallel to the line when driving across the field. Parallel Tracking™ provides straight-line and curved-line capabilities. AutoTrac™ uses a vehicle-specific bundle to guide the equipment after the operator has driven the first pass. Simply let the AutoTrac™ take over from there. The only steering required is around obstacles and headland turns.

There are multiple benefits to Parallel Tracking™ and AutoTrac's™ elimination of overlap. The operator will cover more acres in a day because they are not driving over the same ground more than once. The cost of the applications will be closer to the calculated amount by virtually eliminating overlapping applications of product. Operator fatigue will be reduced by removing the required concentration to follow a marked line. This frees the operator to focus on higher priorities than steering.

AutoTrac™ complements each of these machines by maximising productivity and minimising input costs. One-touch activation provides ultimate convenience, and operators can focus on the seeding operation behind them without worrying about keeping on track. See your local John Deere dealer to build your complete integrated agronomic solution today. For more information visit our Web site at www.John Deere.com.au or FREECALL 1800 800 981 in Australia or 0800 303 100 in New Zealand to contact your local John Deere dealer.

John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.