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No-till Machinery Inventor to Present at WIU May 3

April 19, 2017


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MACOMB, IL – World Food Prize finalist Dr. John Baker, inventor of the Cross Slot drill, will speak at Western Illinois University at noon, Wednesday, May 3 in the University Union's Sandburg Theatre.

Baker will deliver the "Future of No-till," drawing on his wealth of experience developing planting equipment for optimal no-till crop performance. He will discuss the unique features of the Cross Slot corn planter, currently being developed by his company, as well as answer questions about residue and nutrient management in high performance no-till production systems.

Baker initiated a research and development program at New Zealand's Massey University in 1967, aimed at identifying and eliminating the causes of failure in no-till production systems. After 30 years as a scientist, he and key members of his team left the university and formed Baker No-Tillage Ltd.

Since 1998, Baker's company has marketed Cross Slot low-disturbance no-tillage machines for small grain production in 21 countries of the world, with particular emphasis on Australia, Europe and North America.

The lecture is open free to the public.

For more information about the presentation, contact School of Agriculture Associate Professor Joel Gruver at J-Gruver@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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