In today’s landscape of rising costs, labor shortages, and unpredictable weather, farming is more complex than ever. For operations like East Valley Seed Co., staying ahead means working smarter.
Nestled in Oregon’s fertile Willamette Valley, East Valley Seed Co. has been growing high-quality seed crops since the 1970s. From grasses to cabbage, beets to wheat, their diverse seed production plays a key role in the Pacific Northwest’s agriculture ecosystem. But as their business evolved, so did the challenges—higher input prices, tighter margins, and a growing need for precision in every task.
That’s when East Valley Seed turned to Papé Machinery Ag & Turf for help navigating the next chapter of modern farming.
A Seed Farm Facing Familiar Pressures
Like many mid-sized farms across the U.S., East Valley Seed found itself in a new era of agriculture:
- Fertilizer, fuel, and equipment costs have skyrocketed since 2020.
- Labor—especially experienced operators—was hard to recruit and train.
- Environmental regulations and water management required careful planning.
Enter Papé Machinery Ag & Turf. With deep regional knowledge and access to the full suite of John Deere Precision Ag technology, Papé was able to build a custom solution for East Valley Seed—one that respected their history while preparing them for the future.
The upgrades included:
- AutoTrac for GPS-guided steering.
- ExactApply for accurate chemical spraying.
- Variable Rate Section Control to fine-tune input levels.
- G5 Advanced Guidance Display for optimal resource utilization and error minimization.
Rather than investing in new equipment, East Valley Seed retrofitted these systems onto their existing machines, immediately improving efficiency across the board.
Real Gains from Real Precision
Precision Ag made an immediate impact on how East Valley Seed operated day-to-day.
One of the most dramatic improvements came during tillage operations. With AutoTrac’s guidance system, a 24-foot disk harrow truly covers its full width—eliminating the overlap that comes with manual steering. That means fewer hours in the field, less fuel used, and more work done per day.
“The ability to drive accurately measured equipment widths and in laser-straight lines has significantly reduced time in the field,” said Emmet. “That translates into less equipment wear, lower maintenance costs, and better-quality work.”
Chemical applications also became far more efficient. With ExactApply and Rate Control:
- Nozzles spray only where needed.
- Over- and under-application are virtually eliminated.
- Input costs go down while crop health goes up.
“In the old days,” Emmet noted, “we used to deal with boom sections, and you could only shut off maybe six or seven nozzles at a time or more, so it would often overlap or skip. You’d have no control in that section of the field, or you’d have crop damage.”
That’s all history, thanks to John Deere’s Precision Ag technologies and Papé’s world class support.
Smart Tools, Skilled Operators
Precision Ag comes with a learning curve. While the interfaces are designed to be intuitive, East Valley Seed was quick to point out that successful implementation requires training, commitment, and—most importantly—support.
“All the computerized solutions require a much higher degree of training and skill to operate,” Emmet explained. “Without a good dealer support staff on call to answer questions and solve problems, it would be nearly impossible to implement.” That’s where Papé really makes a difference.
Papé’s team helped onboard East Valley’s operators and troubleshoot any hiccups along the way. Today, the systems are a core part of the farm’s routine—and they’re making it easier to manage operations.
A New Level of Oversight and Control
With connected technologies like the John Deere Operations Center, Emmet can monitor field activity from his computer or smartphone—even
while others are running the machines.
“You can see where all your equipment is, what it’s doing in the field, and what’s being accomplished in an hour,” he said. “It gives you an incredible amount of information right at your fingertips.”
This level of visibility helps with everything from planning daily labor to diagnosing issues on the fly. It turns data into decisions—and decisions into action.
Ready for What’s Next
While not every feature of Precision Ag is being used to its fullest potential yet, East Valley Seed Co. has already realized substantial ROI—and they’re continuing to expand their use of the tools and technology. From more efficient seeding and tillage to better chemical application and labor planning, the operation is more nimble, more accurate, and more productive than ever before.
“I’ve seen Precision Ag from the days of its infancy to where it is today,” said Emmet. “It’s amazing the technology that’s coming up.”
For East Valley Seed, Precision Ag isn’t just about cutting-edge technology—it’s about staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. And for other operations facing the same pressures, their journey serves as a roadmap: start small, stay curious, and partner with a trusted expert like Papé.
Equip Your Farm for the Future
Precision Agriculture is no longer a mere luxury—it’s a strategic necessity. And with Papé Machinery Ag & Turf as your trusted partner, adopting the latest innovations has never been more accessible.
Download the full white paper to dive deeper into the benefits and ROI of Precision Agriculture technology, or connect with your local Papé expert to start planning your next Precision Ag upgrade.
In the end, it’s about more than advanced tools or upgraded machines—it’s about building a farming operation that’s more adaptive, more efficient, and better prepared for the future. Backed by expert service and dependable technology, Precision Agriculture is how Papé helps farmers do what they do best, season after season: Papé. Keeps You Moving®.
