Beeline Technologies Inc., with offices in Fresno, Calif., and Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, S.D. have signed a licensing agreement to combine the agricultural equipment steering and precision application technologies of both companies.

Raven will enter the agricultural steering assist market with its “True Line” steering system utilizing Beeline's steering assist technology and the Raven Viper system as a simple user interface. This product allows Raven to integrate Beeline's navigation technology with its precision control technology.

Beeline's copyrighted steering software will be loaded onto Raven's system to create a simple, user-friendly, touch screen interface.

“The agreement with Raven expands our distribution for systems powered by Beeline technology,” said Doug Merrill, Beeline vice president, American operations.

“Raven is well known and respected in both the custom application and grower markets through their application control and traditional light bar guidance systems, and their association with Beeline will definitely help us increase the penetration of our technology in the North American steering assist market.”

According to Dan Rykhus, vice president and general manager of Raven's flow controls division, “The alliance and licensing agreement with Beeline advances Raven's product line and illustrates our commitment to precision agriculture. Beeline is the pioneer and global leader in this market, and we are delighted to be associated with their technology.”

Raven Industries has 22 years of experience in ag technology development, ranging from flow control technology to GPS applications.

Beeline was established in 1994 and headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, with offices in Fresno, Calif. and Westminster, Colo.

In another announcement, AGCO Corporation selected Beeline as its global provider for equipment guidance systems.

The fully integrated Challenger Auto-Guide system, that debuted at last year's farm shows on the all new MT700 and MT800 series tractors, will be extended across all product lines, including tractors, spray equipment, combines, and hay and forage equipment.

AGCO brand names impacted include Challenger, AGCO, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Ag-Chem, Gleaner, Hesston, and New Idea, among others.