Southeast Department Of Agriculture Receives Two Case IH Tractors
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.
Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Agriculture recently signed an open-ended lease agreement with Baker Implement Co. in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for the use of two Case International Harvester (IH) tractors.
“As faculty of Southeast’s Department of Agriculture, we appreciate our relationship with Case IH and Baker Implement Co. and are honored by their donation,” said Dr. Michael Aide, chair of the department. “It’s nice to give our students the opportunity to become familiar with the most current equipment and technology.”
The tractors, a Case IH Utility Farmall 100C and Case IH Magnum 220, are part of a partnership by Case IH and Baker Implement Co. to enhance the education of Southeast agriculture students, said Bill Mercer, territory sales manager for Case IH.
“The students at Southeast are key to the future of agriculture,” said Mercer. “Case IH and Baker Implement Co. have a long history throughout southeast Missouri, and we are pleased to be supporting Southeast’s Department of Agriculture and its students.”
Under faculty supervision, students will use the tractors for corn and soybean production at Southeast’s David M. Barton Agriculture Research Center in Cape Girardeau and the agriculture field at Southeast’s Sikeston campus.
“Because the tractors are easy to transport between location, we can allow more of our students to actively participate in the department’s products and hands-on education,” said Aide.
With technology rapidly changing the agriculture industry, providing the latest tools and equipment for students is an important commitment, said Mercer.
“Technology is just as important in agriculture. It does things that even 10 or 15 years ago we didn’t even think possible,” he said. “It’s good for students to have exposure to it, and it might help some of them decide where they want to go with their career.”
With quality machinery and built-in technology allowing for precision agriculture, the tractors are great tools for Southeast students to expand their real-world experience before graduating, added Aide. ∆