Agricultural research is the focal point of a newly minted relationship between Mississippi State University and Wade Incorporated.
The university’s Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) is leasing 15 John Deere 6M series utility tractors from Wade Inc., a John Deere dealership in the Magnolia State, through the new collaboration.
“MAFES manages more than 16,000 acres across the state, requiring extensive equipment and manpower,” MAFES associate director Darrin Dodds said. “In the past, purchasing tractors and machines led to multiple brands and models, complicating maintenance and limiting efficiency. This new partnership ensures consistency and reliability across our operations that will support world-class research with the most up-to-date equipment.”
The updated fleet is expected to increase productivity and safety at the university’s research station branches by allowing personnel to use modern technology. As part of the partnership’s launch, roughly 40 MAFES workers from across the state participated in hands-on training on the tractors’ technological capabilities, operations, and maintenance.
“Our goal is to ensure every customer gets the best product experience. We’ve conducted all-points training and support for our partnership with Mississippi State,” said David Little, the eastern region manager for Wade Inc. “The most exciting part is demonstrating John Deere technology that will support MAFES research. Early adopters are already using this technology to collect data that improves farm management, and we believe it can be incredibly valuable to the MAFES mission.”
Wade Inc.’s IntelliFarm service conducted the technical training. According to Intellifarm director and Mississippi State alumnus Johnny Marshall, the company looks to teach its customers and employees how to maximize the technology of its equipment, so that all products are being used properly.
