News

Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture is on the Road to 150 having celebrated a significant milestone, marking the delivery of the 141st tractor in its highly successful partnership with Case IH and Tidal Tractor. This enduring partnership has played a pivotal role in enhancing student education and advancing campus operations, underscoring the university's commitment to innovation and excellence in agricultural studies.

“It’s clear this partnership serves as an example of the power of collaboration,” said Dean Dr. Heather Bruce. “Working closely with industry partners like Case IH and local dealership Tidal Tractor, has allowed us to enrich the student experience and drive innovation within the Faculty of Agriculture. This is a model we hope to continue expanding, building more relationships with industry leaders who share our commitment to education and excellence.”

The partnership began 15 years ago when Dalhousie’s farm was facing a challenging situation with the prohibitive cost to repair an aging piece of equipment.  Gary Maddison of Tidal Tractor and Robert Meier of Case IH saw an opportunity to do more than just fix a piece of equipment, they created a program that would provide state-of-the-art machinery and a chance for Dalhousie students to experience the latest in agricultural technology.

This was the beginning of what would become a game-changing relationship between Dalhousie, Case IH and Tidal Tractor. In May of 2011, the first two units arrived—a Scout utility vehicle and a Farmall 105U. And 15 years later, the Faculty of Agriculture is celebrating the 141st unit, with the 150th on the way.

Road to 150

To visually track progress and commemorate this amazing achievement, a special display in the Ruminant Animal Centre lobby was installed featuring tractor treads leading to a sign that celebrates this partnership. This sign serves as a tangible reminder of how far we’ve come and where we’re headed, with the 150th tractor on the horizon in 2026.

“For Case IH, we are incredibly proud to continue our collaboration with Tidal Tractor and Dalhousie,” said Case IH Territory Sales Manager Robert Meier. “It’s not just about the tractors; it’s about the people behind the scenes. The team at Case IH, Tidal Tractor and Dalhousie have worked together for 15 years to create something truly special. This partnership has given students the tools to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry, and for that, we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Willem Smith, a third year Agricultural Business student from Ottawa, had no prior farming experience before applying for summer work in the Crops Unit of the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus farm.

“This experience has beyond exceeded my expectations for hands-on learning opportunities as well as the ability to operate some pretty fantastic machinery provided by Tidal Tractor and Case IH,” explained Willem.  “The ease of use really stood out to me. I was able to move between machines with transferable skills.  I’ve learned a lot through this experience.  It’s been fantastic.”

The Power of Partnership

Over the past 15 years 141 units have been delivered to the Faculty of Agriculture, including 13 Scout utility vehicles, five mowers, five skid steers, four round balers, and 114 tractors representing an approximate value of $2 million dollars in lease payments. More than 3000 students have had the chance to experience Case IH tractor during their time at the Faculty of Agriculture.

“While the numbers are impressive, it’s the relationships that have made this partnership so successful,” said Farm Operations Manager Jean Lynds.  “It’s the commitment of the people at Case IH, Tidal Tractor, and Dalhousie that has allowed us to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible and give our students the best opportunities to learn and grow in this field.”

Dean Bruce and Patrick VanOostrum, president of Tidal Tractor proudly renewed their partnership agreement for an additional five years ensuring a rich student experience continues for years to come.