A John Deere Publication
"The setup part is a lot nicer,'' Steven Meakins says of John Deere's Rate Controller 3. For more information, see your local John Deere dealer.
Agriculture, Ag Tech March 01, 2026
Tech@Work
Farming Smarter with John Deere Rate Controller 3.
Steven Meakins has been farming the plains of northeast Colorado since 1990, carrying on a tradition started by his dad and grandfather. Today he runs a multigenerational farm raising corn, wheat—both irrigated and dryland—along with proso millet and soybeans. Farming in that part of the country means working with just 13–15 inches of rain a year, so precision matters.
The John Deere Rate Controller 3 has become a game-changer on his farm. "It needs to work all the time, and it needs to be simple for everyone to use," Steven says. After years of wrestling with complicated setups from other brands, he found what he was looking for in John Deere.
"The setup portion is a lot more functional, and the way you refill your tank and update settings is a lot nicer. The Rate Controller 3 is a lot simpler than any rate controller that they have ever built before," he adds.
From small sprayers to RX tractors applying fertilizer on grain drills, Steven relies on the Rate Controller 3 for speed and accuracy. Whether he's running prescriptions or moving between implements, the system makes it easy. "It's going to save you time," he explains.
For Steven, the biggest value is simplicity and reliability. "I think John Deere has the best electronics in the business. Every single one they have ever made [precision components/rate controllers], we have started with." When questions come up, his dealership support team is just a phone call away, ready to jump in remotely or stop by to keep him moving.
Farming has certainly changed since Steven's grandfather's day, but one thing hasn't—the need for tools that work as hard as farmers do. With John Deere's Rate Controller 3, Steven knows he's ready for whatever the season brings. ‡
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