The 1992 release of the Yield Monitor 2000 — the first commercially successful on-the-go yield monitor — was a historic moment in the emerging world of precision agriculture. It was the brainchild of Al Myers, Ag Leader founder and president, who never imagined the company would become what it is today when he spent years tinkering with the prototype in his basement.

Although born and raised on a farm in Cherokee, Iowa, Craig Rupp started his career as an electrical engineer in the cellular phone business for Motorola.

“The research and learning that will come out of this facility will be invaluable to the industry, as well as to our growers,” said Kurtis Charling, vice president of agricultural technology for Lindsay Corporation.

"We are experiencing a technological renaissance that would have seemed like science fiction just 30 years ago when it comes to data in the field," Erin Hightower says.