10/03/05 Apple red and John Deere green

The Bajter Address is the keynote speech of the annual Washington State Horticultural Association convention. This year's convention is set for December Fifth though Seventh in Wenatchee. And considering the theme of the 101st annual Convention is "Innovation and Technology  Keys to Success", organizers felt the need to have a strong presence. According to one of the convention organizers, Nick Stephens of Columbia I.P.M., that presence will be filled by a representative from John Deere. STEPHENS: They have an advanced technology research team that's looking at applications of new technology to agriculture, and of course, tractors being one of their main items, that's going to be a factor large in their future and hopefully in the future of our industry. Now one may think of Deere mostly for its tractors for production agriculture. But Stephens says Deere is also involved in other technological advances from variable rate applicators to global positioning systems. STEPHENS: We do have orchardists that are planting their orchards using this technology, planting rows that are straight, and using the G.P.S. guided tractor technology. And this representative from John Deere will give a presentation on the applications of technology, not just in tree fruit. Our preview of the 2005 Hort Convention will continue in future programs between now and the beginning of December.