FORT COLLINS – A new collaboration between Colorado State
University and Trimble, a precision location solutions provider, will create a
unique training center near Fort Collins to help farmers boost crop yields
while conserving natural resources.

CSU’s Agricultural Research, Development and Education
Center, about three miles north of Fort Collins along Interstate 25, recently
signed an agreement with Trimble.

As part of the collaboration, Sunnyvale, Calif.-based
Trimble will equip more than a dozen ARDEC tractors, implements and other
machinery with GPS and additional positioning technologies used for precision
agriculture.

Trimble will use ARDEC as a comprehensive training center
for dealers of its agricultural products. The CSU site will draw dealers from
around the nation, said Wade Stewart, Trimble training manager.

In return, CSU faculty, staff and students as well as
ARDEC operations will benefit from daily use of the technologies, said Lee
Sommers, CSU College of Agricultural Sciences associate dead for research.

“This affiliation will put precision agriculture
into practice throughout our cropping operations at ARDEC,” Sommers said.
“Working with Trimble gives all our related research, teaching and
outreach programs access to state-of-the-art technology and access to training
at no cost to CSU.”

The Trimble technologies will be used for production of
corn, wheat, barley, sunflowers, alfalfa, dry beans and specialty crops on
nearly 800 acres at the ARDEC facility. The precision technology is expected to
reduce fuel and water costs for the crops.

Trimble has a Colorado office in Westminster that is the
primary location for its agricultural operations. Its proximity to Fort Collins
and CSU’s expertise in precision agriculture helped Trimble select ARDEC as the
location for its training facility, Stewart said.