John Deere is celebrating 100 years of tractors this year, and our team here at Belkorp Ag feels honored to be part of it. Without John Deere and everything the company has done for the agriculture industry, Belkorp Ag would not be here today to serve the Central Valley and the North Coast of California.

John Deere didn’t invent the tractor, but they revolutionized the industry in a way that no other company has ever done. Before John Deere stepped onto the scene, tractors were not vital farming tools like they are today.

After extensive research and rigorous testing, the first John-Deere-produced tractor was born in 1918. Following the manufacturer’s acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company, John Deere took over production of the popular “Waterloo Boy” tractor. The company sold 5,634 Waterloo Boy tractors in the first year.

John Deere has been around for 181 years, and many events have helped shape the company’s history. No single event has been as transformative, though, as Deere’s entry into the tractor business in 1918.

Fast-forward 100 years, and the Waterloo Boy tractor is considered an iconic piece of John Deere’s history—and John Deere has remained America’s favorite tractor.

As we reflect on such a historic milestone, we are reminded of where we came from. But it doesn’t end there. We are also reminded to encourage our employees and customers to embrace the possibilities that agriculture’s future holds.

Whether you have a whole fleet of John Deere tractors or you’re still working on getting your first one, Belkorp Ag would love to help you get in on the legacy. John Deere has been part of the American Dream for 100 years, and we hope it can be part of your personal American dream, too.

Join us in celebrating 100 years of John Deere tractors by stopping by one of our 7 Belkorp Ag locations or giving us a call at (866) 709-4733. We would love to make you not only part of the John Deere family, but part of the Belkorp Ag family as well.