A John Deere Publication

a Deere combine turning in a field using AutoTrac Turn Automation

AutoTrac™ Turn Automation gives operators the freedom to complete an accurate turn hands-free from the steering wheel pass after pass. See your local John Deere dealer for more information.

Agriculture, Ag Tech September 01, 2024

Tech@Work

Smooth and steady—with the help of John Deere technology.

On a picturesque morning in Oregon's Willamette Valley, fog drapes over the rolling hills dotted with world-famous wineries. Further east, dew clings to the lush greenery as the sun peaks over the Cascades. From up high you can see the wide range of crops and livestock this valley produces: grapes, hops, hazel, Christmas trees, flowers, and more. Pioneers called it the land of milk and honey.

For seven generations Seth Smith's family has called it home. Since the '40s they've focused largely on grass seed production. Today, Linn County, where they farm, is often called the "Grass Seed Capital of the World." It's a specialized form of agriculture with short windows and a high density of equipment per acre. It can be a lot to manage.

Smith Bros Farms has grown over the years and John Deere technology has helped them manage more with less. They adopted John Deere's AutoTrac™ Turn Automation on their combine—a newer addition to the list of equipment AutoTrac Turn Automation is compatible with. Coupled with AutoTrac, an operator can spend less time actively driving the machine and more time managing their surroundings. "It's just one of the things that makes everything run smoother. At the end of the day, smooth and steady always wins," says Seth.

For Seth, John Deere technology is "as important as having air in the tire or fuel in the tank." It gives him confidence in his operators and peace of mind that they have less mental drain when running long hours. He also feels more confident training new grain cart operators. The technology assists the operator in the field and Seth can assist from afar with Remote Display Access.

Seth says the best part of his job is the lifestyle. "It's a lot of hard work, a lot of long days. But I can do it with my family." Farming is where the roots of family and the seeds of the future grow side by side. Seth is living proof—smooth and steady. ‡