I spent five days at Agritechnica 2023 and here are five things I learned. It’s a challenge sometimes to pull out the strong European policy influence on exhibitors and farmers at this show, but there are lessons for Canadian farmers, and the technology created to manage European problems in some cases will make economic sense […] Read more
5 lessons learned at Agritechnica
Agritechnica wrap-up: New combines, tractors and industry trends
Agritechnica is the world’s largest agriculture machinery show, drawing more than 400,000 people from around the world to Hannover, Germany. Glacier FarmMedia Senior Technology Editor John Greig was there and summarized the major product launches and some of the ag-tech industry trends he observed. – John Greig is a senior editor with Glacier FarmMedia. Watch for much […] Read more
Right-to-repair advocates fighting, but not gaining much ground
No right-to-repair laws have been passed; dealers association says lack of broadband is the real issue
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s been an uphill battle but the right-to-repair movement isn’t giving up and is getting closer to winning over lawmakers, says a leading American advocate. Right-to-repair legislation has been introduced in 42 states and two provinces — but none of the bills have made it into law, Gay Gordon-Byrne, head of The Repair Association, conceded […] Read more
The shortage of farm equipment may not ease until 2024
Dealers — and a new report from FCC — suggest tight supplies are the ‘new normal’ and unlikely to change soon
Reading Time: 5 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Farm equipment dealer Guy Deroche was pleasantly surprised about parts orders this fall when delivery was better than expected. Supply chain disruptions were a hallmark of the year, forcing producers and agri-businesses to scramble for inputs, for equipment components, for livestock ear tags and a long list of consumer products. There were […] Read more
No end in sight for soaring farm equipment costs
It’s not just the price tags on new equipment that’s shocking, it’s also the spillover effect in the used market
Reading Time: 3 minutes Prices for farm equipment continue to rise. And it’s not just fancy new iron that’s causing farmers to do double takes. How does $62,972 sound for a 1994 New Holland 9680 tractor? How about $49,995 for a 1995 John Deere 1850 air drill? Or $80,000 for an older tandem axle grain truck? “You’re seeing an […] Read more
Controlled traffic farming is proving its worth, say advocates
The system ‘shines’ during droughts and lets farmers seed and harvest sooner when it’s wet, they say
Reading Time: 4 minutes Controlled traffic farming has yet to catch on in a big way in Alberta, but it proved its worth during last year’s drought for a long-time practitioner. “I grew canola and barley last year and we had 28-bushel canola on four and a half inches of rain and five weeks of smoking hot weather,” said […] Read more
Deere & Co mower production to move from Iowa to Mexico plant
Mexico City | Reuters – U.S. farm equipment maker Deere & Co DE.N will be moving production of mower conditioners, which are tractor attachments with rolling discs to cut and crush hay, from a factory in Ottumwa, Iowa, to an existing plant in Mexico over the next 18 months, the company said. The company told Reuters late […] Read more
Bigger equipment can spell big trouble with power lines
Fortis says sprayers and air seeders came into contact with power lines 20 times last year
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farm equipment is getting bigger and it’s no longer uncommon to see air seeders in the 75-foot-wide range that fold up to considerable height in transport mode as well. But when is big too big? Or more precisely, when is ag equipment too large to safely clear power lines? Last year, Fortis Alberta responded to […] Read more
Do farmers have the right to repair their own equipment?
Interest groups debate the ‘right to repair’ versus ‘right to modify’ with producers stuck in the middle
Reading Time: 5 minutes It’s a story that’s becoming more and more common. You’re smack dab in the middle of harvest and an error code appears on your combine’s monitor. A call to the dealership results in a long wait for a technician to come out, with anxiety rising with every passing hour because priceless harvesting time is being […] Read more
Remote diagnostics blocked by poor internet on farms
Reading Time: < 1 minute Waiting for a dealership tech or mechanic to come to your farm to fix a problem is frustrating for farmers — but also for those who work on equipment. As with home computers or computer-controlled industrial machines, technicians can remotely access the onboard computers on farm equipment. But only if there’s broadband internet. “So on […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
