Burns resident 1st to purchase auto steering swather
Staff writer
Fans of the green and yellow tractor variety can purchase many types of equipment with integrated auto steer.
Auto steer uses GPS to steer a tractor, combine, or other machinery across the field guaranteeing accuracy and efficiency.
In recent years, auto steer has become popular on planters and sprayers, allowing farmers to prevent overlap or missed rows while planting.
This year, John Deere is celebrating 50 years of producing self-propelled windrowers, with auto steer integrated in the machine.
Mitch Guetterman, manager of PrairieLand Partners in Marion, recently traveled to the John Deere plant in Ottumwa, Iowa, to preview the auto steer new swather along with Jim Bob Watkins of Burns who recently purchased two of the machines.
“We’ve got some on order, but none at the store currently,” Guetterman said. “Jim Bob was the first in the area to purchase them.”
Guetterman said the incorporation of the auto steer should make haying operations for Watkins more efficient.
“He’ll be able to worry more on what’s going into the header than steering,” Guetterman said.
For more information about incorporated auto steer contact Guetterman.