Leonard Fleisher left a legacy for his son Mathew to expand. Mathew made significant improvements in the design of the till planting equipment and the cultivator. Additionally, he expanded the company product line to feed mixer wagons, roller mills, a large line round bale of handling equipment, and a rear mounted guiding planting and cultivating down the row (the Scout Guidance System).
Tonight, we recognize two individuals who have made a far larger impact on Nebraska than most people recognize. Going back over 2000 years, the development of the plow, whether powered by bullock, water buffalo, camel, horse, or donkey, is recognized as the divisor between primitive agriculture and production agriculture. The fact that the majority of us here this evening live in town derives from the fundamental that some one else produces our food. Civilization exists only to the extent that farmers can produce more food than is needed by their immediate family. The plow is the time-honored icon of that capability.
Leonard Fleischer must be credited with having the perception and the persistence to obsolete the plow. In doing so he had to upset a 2000 year old farming tradition backed by contemporary science, which required that a proper seedbed demanded that all crop residue be turned under to control weeds, insects, and plant disease.
Leonard, who started out working for Upjohn Pharmaceutical products, had started a small company, wherelse but in his garage in Columbus, Ne. manufacturing an improved seat for tractors since farmers were experiencing serious back problems driving tractors. He was always on the outlook for other products to manufacture and when he observed some early research by Prof. Hurlbut, together with Howard Wittmus, Delbert Lane and Rollin Schnieder, who was a student at the time, developing an experimental planter that would plant corn without the need for plowing, Leonard went back to his factory in Columbus and developed the concept for commercial production, first with a lister attachment, followed by a simpler design that would plant the corn in the previous year's ridge and a cultivator that would reform the ridge – the till plant system.
When I returned to Nebraska in 1968, I found that a grant by Fleischer Manufacturing Company to Dr. Wittmus and Delbert Lane supporting their program in conservation tillage, was the only commercial grant in the Department. Studies with the Fleischer equipment were underway at the Ag. Eng farm, the Rogers Memorial farm and at North Platte. In addition, Delbert Lane had experimental plots on farm fields. The results of these studies were provided to Fleischer. The interaction of Fleischer with the University is an excellent example of public research and extension programs complimenting commercial development.
Breaking tradition is not easily done and there were serious questions raised by plant pathologists, weed scientists, and entomologists concerning leaving residue on the surface. Major manufacturers were not at all interested in eliminating plowing since that might reduce the market for large tractors. Allis-Chalmers was the only major company to become involved in conservation tillage during the early years.
The result, however, has been a significant change in the Nebraska landscape. You will look twice if you see a plowed field. Not all fields are under the till plant system but nearly all are under some form of conservation tillage, often involving a light disking of the stubble in the spring followed by surface planting. Nevertheless, it was the till plant system that proved the efficacy of leaving residue on the surface.
Not only does till planting reduce energy costs by 50%, more importantly, it reduces soil losses up to 90%. We no longer have dust storms, snow is held on the field, and runoff is greatly reduced, conserving water and reducing soil erosion. Measurements at the Rogers Farm where conservation tillage has been practiced for over 30 years, indicate an actual change in soil type, with improved infiltration characteristics.
Upon Leonard's stepping down as President in 1970 and as Chairman of the Board in 1987, Mathew, "Bud" Fleischer picked up the management of the company. Bud has made significant improvements in the design of the till planting equipment and the cultivator based on customer suggestions. But in addition, he has placed his own stamp on the company, with several patents for new and improved products.
He expanded the company product line to include feed mixer wagons and roller mills. Recently a line of large round bale handling equipment has been added through purchase of a company in Canada. One unique development is the Scout Guidance system which guides planting and cultivating down the row. This is a rear mounted system and the patent office could find no precedence – truly an original idea.
Both Fleischers have been involved in community and professional activities. They have received many awards in recognition of their commercial developments and community activities, a few of which are listed in your program.
As honorees this evening, we are recognizing the first father-son team. We honor them for their contributions to the science of agriculture, to the economic strength of Nebraska, and for their citizenship.
At this time, I would like to call Leonard and Bud to the podium to introduce their families and guests and to provide us with a few remarks.
