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It sounded too good to be true –two shiny new red tractors delivered to campus for use on the farm. No strings attached.

“It was something we always dreamed of – access to new equipment, but never thought possible,” says Jean Lynds, coordinator, Ruminant Animal Centre, Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture.

What started five years ago as a casual agreement, with the delivery of two machines, has now become a formal partnership.

Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture and global leader in agricultural equipment, CASE IH, have entered into a new partnership agreement. The Faculty will have the use of about 16 pieces of CASE IH equipment each year, an arrangement which will benefit Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture for at least the next 10 years.  The delivery of leading edge farm machinery will be used for teaching, production and research. This partnership represents an approximate retail value of $1.7 million annually and an annual rental value of $170,000.

 “We are so proud and honoured to be formalizing our ongoing relationship with our friends at CASE IH through this partnership agreement,” said Dr. David Gray, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Principal, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus. “Our partners at CASE IH are innovative and forward thinking and are an essential component in the future development of our students as they enter the modern age of agriculture.”

When asked why they do it, the reason is pretty simple for CASE IH.

“It’s a simple concept, we can help the students and Faculty of Agriculture,” says Robert Meier P. Ag.  of CASE IH. “You know how you get a nice warm, fuzzy feeling when you help others? We feel so good about helping the Agricultural Campus, so technically, they’re helping us.”  

Meier also calls the partnership, which is the first of its kind for CASE IH in Canada, a great fit. “CASE IH is all about technology and the Agricultural Campus is the centre excellence of agriculture in the Maritimes, it makes sense.”

Machines are delivered twice per year, in the spring and fall, from VanOostrum Farm Equipment Ltd, the local CASE IH dealer in Port Williams. Since 2010, the deal has resulted in the delivery of 40 pieces of equipment to be used on the Agricultural Campus.

“We identify our needs and CASE IH meets them,” says Lynds. Not limited to tractors, CASE IH has also provided disc mowers, skid steers, utility vehicles and others. All providing students, researchers and staff access to new technology and different models.

For Gary Maddison (Class of ’83), sales manager, VanOostrum Farm Equipment Ltd, the signing of the agreement with the Faculty of Agriculture has an extra special meaning. “As an alumni, it’s a huge honour to give back to my alma mater. My two years at the AC gave me the knowledge to start my career, it feels good to return what was given to me.”

While no partnership of this type existed when Maddison was a student, he admits the impact it would have made. “We were repairing machines that were 20 years old. This would have given us a chance to see new equipment and certainly enhanced our experience. Agricultural technology has advanced enormously and changes so frequently. Students will now have access to the latest technology.”

Students, staff and researchers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from access to such technology. Potential customers to CASE IH and VanOostrum Farm Equipment Ltd. can travel a short distance, to campus and see first-hand the abilities of certain machines.

“The Agricultural Campus had been tracking fuel consumption of a specific tractor,” says Meier, “we had a customer interested in the same model, but he wouldn’t accept what we told him he could get for fuel consumption.” A quick drive to the AC and a look at the fuel logs closed the sale.”

“The students at the AC are those farmers of tomorrow,” says Maddison. “Obviously there is some cost to this program, but it’s an investment in the future of farming in Atlantic Canada.

Now that the partnership is formalized with CASE IH the future for students, staff and researchers at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture now looks a lot more shiny and red.