Farming? There's an app for that, says Turner Investments commentary

BERWYN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In today's technology-driven world, farming is no longer a low-tech occupation. According to the latest Sector Focus commentary from Turner Investments, select companies bringing technology to the field through precision agriculture could generate double-digit earnings growth over the next few years.

Titled Precision agriculture bears fruit for tech-savvy farmers, the piece was written by the five Turner analysts who cover the cyclical sector: Dan Hirsch, global security analyst; Joshua Kohn, portfolio manager/global security analyst; Mike Lozano, global security analyst; Don Smith, portfolio manager/global security analyst; and Scott Swickard, global security analyst. Turner Investments, based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, publishes Sector Focus commentaries monthly as part of the continuing efforts of its five teams of security analysts to monitor market sectors for its growth-stock portfolios.

According to the analysts, farmers, as part of today's precision-agriculture movement, are “as likely to be wielding an iPhone as a pitchfork.” Precision agriculture uses global-positioning satellites, database management, and digital imagery, among other technology, to help farmers make more exact decisions about planting seeds, irrigating crops, and applying fertilizer. In turn, fields produce higher crop yields at lower costs, using more environmentally-friendly methods.

The analysts identify three companies that offer farm equipment, seeds, technology, or services that they believe are particularly well positioned to benefit from the growth of precision agriculture: Deere, Monsanto, and Trimble Navigation.

To read this December 2012 Sector Focus in its entirety, click on this link to the Turner Investments Web site: www.turnerinvestments.com/cyclical. Or call 484.329.2407 for a free copy of the piece.

The views, opinions, and content presented are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to reflect a current or past recommendation, investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice of any kind, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or investment services. Except as otherwise specified, any companies, sectors, securities, and/or markets discussed are solely for illustrative purposes regarding economic trends and conditions or investment process and may or may not be held by Turner, the Turner Funds, or other investment vehicles or accounts managed by Turner or its affiliates. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Turner Investments, founded in 1990, is an investment firm based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. As of September 30, 2012, we managed more than $11 billion in stocks in separately managed accounts and mutual funds for institutions and individuals.

As of November 30, 2012, Turner held in client accounts 327,380 shares of Deere, 705,555 shares of Monsanto, and 1 million shares of Trimble Navigation.