Deere tractor takes a bite out of crime in Lincolnshire

When it comes to crime prevention in Lincolnshire, Illinois, a John Deere tractor is done up in police stripes with a blue light on top.

The tractor is playing a role in support of the police department’s Operation Fusion. It’s helping to attract attention about the work being done to combat rural crime.

The tractor is turning into a star attraction at parades, farmers markets, auctions and other events. It looks like a lot of fun, but it’s all about crime prevention, and that’s serious business.

Welcome to China, Mr. Deere

Deere & Company is adding to its investments in China by announcing plans to build a new factory there. The $50 million project will make construction equipment for sale in China and for export to other markets.

The new factory will make four-wheel-drive loaders and excavators. It will be located in the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area.

This will be Deere’s sixth manufacturing location in China. It’s considered the world’s largest and fastest growing market for construction equipment.

Deere completes wind energy business sale

Now for an update on a story we’ve been following for a while. Deere & Company announced on Friday that it has completed the sale of John Deere Renewables (its wind energy business) to Exelon Generation Company.

Back in August, Deere announced the two companies had signed a definitive agreement for the transaction.

Deere said it sold the wind energy business as part of the company’s increased focus on investing the company’s resources to grow the core equipment businesses around the world.

John Deere Classic simply the “Best” from PGA

The honors continue to flow in for the John Deere Classic. This time, the Classic earned an award for “Best Use of Players” during the 2010 tournament at TPC Deere Run.

It was a nice feather in the cap from the PGA Tour to honor the Classic’s special 40th anniversary.

The Classic welcomed nine past champions, and proceeds went to charity from the event. 28 players also helped to create more than 100 promotional spots for the tournament.

“We tried to find creative ways that would help support the event,” said Clair Peterson, tournament director. “We were fortunate to find success across many platforms.”

Paralyzed farmer gets a boost with John Deere tractor

A rare disease left John Whalen paralyzed from the waist down, but that’s not stopping the Minnesota farmer from enjoying the great outdoors.

According to MachineFinder, Whalen, who likes to hunt, recently brought home a wild turkey and 8-point buck without the use of his legs.

How does he do it? Whalen uses a mechanical lift to transport him to the cab of his John Deere tractor. A special permit allows him to hunt from five feet off the ground in the tractor.

He concludes that it’s sort of like being up in the air in a deer stand.

Mr. Grinch is even meaner on John Deere tractor

Tis the season for holiday classics. Okay, “The Grinch That Stole Christmas” is more of an animated classic, for sure. But in Harrisonburg, Virginia, it took center stage in a recent parade.

According to MachineFinder, among the marching bands, unicyclists and floats, there was a Grinch rolling slowly down the street on a John Deere tractor.

I really wish that I had a photo to share, but that’s the way it goes. After the parade, residents were pleased to see that the city’s tree lighting went off without a hitch. Some of the younger residents were worried that the Grinch would make off with the tree in his John Deere tractor before they could enjoy the spectacle.

Deere dividend is a reason to blog!

I’ve been on the road a lot with stories lately. Places like Clinton, Sterling, Fulton and even Marion, Iowa. But the good news from Deere & Company got me back to the blog today.

The company’s board of directors on Wednesday increased the company’s dividend to .35 a share on common stock.

The dividend is payable February 1, 2011, to stockholders of record on December 31, 2010. The new quarterly rate represents an increase of 5 cents per share over the previous level. That’s an increase of about 17%.

Deere’s top boss, Samuel Allen, said the announcement represents confidence in the future direction of the company.

“Deere sharpens its strategic focus and concentrates its resources on growing our core equipment businesses around the world,” he said.

Allen said that the company “consistently displayed its objective to create shareholder value over the long term.”

It’s the eighth time that the company has increased its quarterly dividend since early 2004.