OLATHE, Kan. — John Deere announced today an alliance with Dawn Equipment Company, Inc., a manufacturer specializing in ground engaging tools and active control systems for planters. The alliance allows John Deere to sell and support Dawn hydraulic-controlled down-force systems, row cleaners, and closing wheels for planters.

"With this agreement, we will be able to collaborate with Dawn to distribute customizable, hydraulic-control down-force systems and attachments to enhance overall planter performance," says Aaron Wetzel, vice president of the global crop care platform. "Utilizing Dawn technology, producers will be able to have an automated, closed-loop control for planter hydraulic down-force, displayed on an HD map from an iPad in the tractor cab."

Customers will also be able to purchase Dawn's complete line of M Series closing wheels and other products through the John Deere dealer channel.

"We're very excited about this alliance with John Deere," says Joseph Bassett, president, Dawn Equipment Company. "Our line of planter attachments, ground engaging tools, and hydraulic control down force systems lead the industry in performance and will be even more customizable through this relationship with John Deere."

Current offerings from Dawn will focus on retrofitting the current line of John Deere 1770, 1770NT, and DB Planters. These products will also be compatible with the recently introduced MaxEmerge 5 and ExactEmerge 1775 and 1775NT Planters.

"This is another example of how we're offering producers additional solutions to help them maximize machinery performance and, ultimately, crop yields. Our industry-leading portfolio of planting solutions will deliver even more options in the future to improve planter performance," concludes Wetzel.