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    HARD WORK AND EXPERTISE: Emmetts Horsham master technician Josh Carter is in the running for a John Deere Technician of the Year accolade. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

AgLife: Josh honoured to ‘get amongst it’

By SARAH MATTHEWS

Emmetts Horsham master technician Josh Carter loves the challenges his job brings and the opportunity to help farmers ‘keep doing what they do’.

His zeal for machinery and drive to continue to learn and adapt have paid off in more ways than one, with Mr Carter in the running to be named John Deere Technician of the Year.

Mr Carter, 32, is one of five Australian finalists to progress to the next level of judging in the ‘ag and turf service technicians’ category of the inaugural John Deere Technician Awards. 



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The awards recognise the hard work and expertise technicians provide to customers across Australia and New Zealand and their ‘drive to support operators and businesses to be their most efficient, productive and profitable’. 

The Australian finalists won selection from a pool of more than 110 nominations from across the two countries in five different categories.

Mr Carter said it was great to see the role of technicians in the spotlight.

“I think it’s unreal that John Deere has given us the opportunity to get out and get amongst it,” he said. 

“It’s great to see some recognition for the job that we’re here to do.”

Mr Carter grew up at Rupanyup, with a fascination for disassembling things to understand how they work.

Working for John Deere dealership Emmetts was a natural progression.

“I finished year 12 in Murtoa and started my journey with Emmetts in Rupanyup in 2006, straight out of school,” Mr Carter said.

“I worked in Rupanyup for almost 15 years and then moved over to Horsham.”

Mr Carter said he loved his job.

“It’s a great atmosphere,” he said. 

“It’s really good working with our customers and supporting their end goal and helping them to keep doing what they do. 

“It’s a great company to work for – great product, great people and great support from John Deere.”

Mr Carter has forged strong bonds with Wimmera producers and has watched their farming businesses – and their uptake of technology – evolve throughout his years with the dealership. 

“For example, when I started out, AutoTrac automated guidance systems were just beginning to take off and we were completing a lot of installs of that equipment,” he said. 

“Today, this is technology that’s integrated into farmers’ day-to-day work, and is now very much relied upon by Australian producers. 

“This is an industry that never stops evolving, growing and progressing, and I could see the technology integrated into these machines becoming more and more prominent, so I felt it was important to continue to remain engaged, and persist in learning as much as I could.”

Mr Carter is also passionate about the next generation of technicians and makes time to work with and coach apprentices and team-mates coming through the ranks. He plans to continue rising to the challenge.

“I’ll follow the product and the progress and the technology through and keep working on bringing up our next generation of techs and keeping our farmers doing what they do,” he said.

Fellow finalists include Jaymee Ireland, Emmetts, Roseworthy, South Australia; Henry Finlay, Vanderfield, Dalby, Queensland; Damian Voss, Wickham Flower, Naracoorte, South Australia; Justin Solomon, Vanderfield, Inverell, New South Wales.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand managing director Luke Chandler said there was an enormous pool of talent in Australia.

“These finalists should feel incredibly proud of being named among the best in their field,” he said.

“Technicians deliver services integral to the agriculture, construction and forestry industries, by not only providing vital back-up support and remote diagnostics, but by empowering operators to get the most out of their machinery and technology. 

“The role technicians play will only grow in importance as the machinery sector moves through a technological leap that will drive industry growth and efficiency, and we are delighted to be paying tribute to our best and brightest at our first ever John Deere Technician Awards.” 

The entire September 29, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire September 29, 2021 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!