Bondurant, Iowa | Reuters — Deere and Co. has sold its tractors and other equipment to farmers for decades, but the world’s largest agriculture machinery manufacturer is tearing a page from the technology world’s playbook — combining cutting-edge hardware with software and subscription models to drive revenue growth. In a world with a dwindling number […] Read more
Deere tapping into Apple-like tech model to drive revenue
'Hopefully the costs will be paid back in the long run'
Automated ag skills program developed for Saskatchewan workforce
Protein supercluster, U of S supporting non-profit agency's program
Corrected, May 24 — A national skills-building organization focused on connecting employers with “untapped” labour markets sets its webcams this summer on the automated and digital ag sectors. Not-for-profit organization Palette Skills has launched a new eight-week online program for Saskatchewan residents focused on automation and digitization in agricultural production and processing. The enrolment deadline […] Read more
Southern Ontario Kubota dealer chain sold
Robert's, Stewart's buy Earth Power dealerships
A chain of Kubota dealerships in southern Ontario is selling its three links to two separate new owners. Earth Power Tractors and Equipment, owned in partnership by Jim Kelly and Jeff Cook since 2005, said Thursday it has a deal in place to sell its sites at Owen Sound and nearby Meaford to Robert’s Farm […] Read more
Canada to ban Huawei/ZTE 5G equipment, joining Five Eyes allies
Move comes as diplomatic tensions ease, canola block lifted
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada on Thursday said it plans to ban the use of China’s Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp. 5G gear to protect national security, joining the rest of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network. “We intend to exclude Huawei and ZTE from our 5G networks,” Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters in […] Read more
Over half Canada’s farm revenue now goes to biggest farms, census finds
More women operators, more sustainable practices, more growing under glass
While it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the number of larger farms by sales in Canada is rising and the number of smaller farms is declining, Canada’s newest ag census also shows larger farm classes now capturing the majority of total ag revenue. Statistics Canada on Wednesday began releasing data from its 2021 Census of Agriculture, […] Read more
Farming behind the lines: Growers in Ukraine plant amid hostilities close by
'We started the sowing campaign by removing rockets from the field'
Viktor and Sergiy Shipov are used to adversity. Viktor established a farming company in southern Ukraine 20 years ago, in the Mykolaiv Oblast, where hellish heat and lack of rainfall can make the land look like the Sahara Desert with yellow dunes. This is a corner of the classic Ukrainian steppe, where rainfall is very […] Read more
Agco ransomware attack disrupts equipment sales
Dealerships cut off from parts ordering system
Reuters — U.S. agricultural equipment maker Agco Corp. said on Friday a ransomware attack was affecting operations at some of its production facilities, and dealers said tractor sales had been stalled during the crucial planting season. Georgia-based Agco, whose brands include Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Challenger and Valtra, said in a statement it expects operations at […] Read more
Workers on strike at two U.S. CNH plants
Production of Magnum tractors, combine headers affected
Workers at two CNH Industrial manufacturing plants in the U.S. Midwest have hit the picket line after their previous contract expired without an agreed-upon replacement. United Auto Workers, whose locals 180 and 807 represent over 1,000 employees at CNH’s plants at Racine, Wisconsin and Burlington, Iowa respectively, said Monday the workers went on strike that […] Read more
U.S. EPA proposal likes canola oil for renewable fuel
A final EPA decision is expected this summer, which, if favourable, could add new demand for Canada's premier oilseed
Canola has another feather in its cap — one which is expected to put more money in farmers’ pockets. In a ‘proposed decision’ released in April the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized canola oil’s value as an environment-friendly alternative to fossil-based fuel — a move that’s expected to add new demand for the crop. […] Read more
CNH confident on navigating supply issues beyond first quarter
Market environment remains 'a battle'
Milan | Reuters — CNH Industrial beat first-quarter earnings expectations on Tuesday and the agricultural and construction machine maker’s CEO said he was confident the company could successfully navigate ongoing global supply chain issues. “Don’t underestimate how difficult the environment is, it’s a battle,” CEO Scott Wine told analysts after the company posted a 9.2 […] Read more
