John Deere Action 3

In this third entry of the series featuring John Deere machines doing what they do best, the focus is as much on education as it is on the fun of watching the big machines—tractors, hay balers, cotton pickers, sprayers, and more—at work. Viewers learn that the U.S. produces more food than any other country, with more corn grown than any other crop (followed by soybeans and wheat), occupying more than a billion acres from sea to shining sea. The program also points out that most young farmers are following the family tradition, and that about a third of those who till the soil today have attended college, which is not surprising, since modern agriculture requires knowledge of chemistry, weather, computers, and, of course, high-tech equipment. A method called “precision farming” minimizes the impact of machinery on the soil (not to mention the amount of fuel needed) as the company's GreenStar GPS system helps guide vehicles over the land in a way that saves costs and increases yield. Also covered is the difference between row- and field-crop farms, as well as a look at where various products (such as cotton) are grown across the globe. Also featuring a catchy soundtrack of sing-along songs accompanying the live-action footage, amusing clips showing the machines working in reverse (called “Backwardsville”), and a segment spotlighting historic tractors, this sure-to-be-popular program is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (C. Block)