International Perspectives: Ag Leader Carries out ISO Testing

During the first 2 weeks of June, we hosted two of our test engineers from the testing department in Ames. Bob Heston and Joe Holoubek started their trip at the EMEA office in the Netherlands where our own Service Manager Gerrit Emmens kept them busy testing a variety of equipment throughout the Netherlands. They then made the trip over here to the UK where we carried out further testing, but also had some time to chat with customers about their thoughts on the Ag Leader products and where they felt we could improve.

They were also lucky enough to spend two days at the UK’s premier Agricultural Show: Cereals 2013. This was a great opportunity for them to catch up with some machinery manufactures and also more customers with whom they shared ideas and suggestions with.

Ag Leader has always endeavoured to test products thoroughly before they are released to the customers. As we invest more into the overseas markets, so too must we make sure products are tested here before they are released. We also have a good network of customers who are able to help out with this testing when needed or possible.

Some of the machines tested for ISO TC compatibility and are expected to be supported in our spring 2014 release are:

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John Deere with Horsch ISO drill at Paul Coates.

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Fendt with Amazone ISO spreader at Warter Estates.

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Knight ISOBUS sprayer using Mueller Spray Rate Controller at C. S. Arable services.

I am happy to report that the testing we carried out was largely successful and a big “thank you” must go out to the customers who helped us out with it.

After testing was completed, it was 2 days at Cereals 2013 which was held at Boothby Graffoe in Lincolnshire. As always, it was a busy and productive show with a total of 25850 visitors attending over the 2 days, which was actually the second highest figure in the shows history. Our distributor (Precise Solutions) remained busy for both days and there was still a lot of interest in Ag Leaders Complete Precision Farming Package, despite the outlook being on the bleak side due to two seasons of inclement weather which has taken its toll on crops. However, there still seemed to be an update tone to the show so we are looking forward to the future.