The Cross Slot seeding system pioneered by New Zealand ag engineer John Baker is gearing up for a much bigger impact on no-till seeding in North America. It’s because Appleton Marine of Appleton, Wis., has purchased the intellectual property rights to the Cross Slot technology for the western hemisphere of the world.

Appleton Marine is a large company that specializes in the fabrication and manufacturing of heavy-duty cranes and other products for both the marine and other industries.

One of the firm’s top executives, Lewis Krueger, has been a 100% no-till believer with 700 acres of farmland for a number of years. Gavin Porter, who has headed up headed up Cross Slot USA operations in North America for a number of years, has joined Appleton Marine in the sales and marketing area.