Reading Time: < 1 minute Some producers are concerned that a farm equipment industry push against modification may spell the end of connectivity — in other words, the ability of third-party manufacturers to produce tools which adapt farm vehicles for specialized uses. An example would be a combine header specifically designed for pulse crops. But abolishing connectivity is not on […] Read more
Connectivity ‘grey’ under new trade agreement
Opinion: There’s a big difference between ‘right to repair’ and ‘right to modify’
Farmers should absolutely be able to repair their equipment but modifying programming leads to a host of problems
Reading Time: 3 minutes The relationship between equipment dealers, manufacturers and farmers is close knit. Equipment manufacturers and dealers have a vested interest for our customers to be prosperous. We know that when farmers are successful, dealers and our communities are successful. That is why at this time it would be unwise for a provincial government to disrupt the […] Read more
Precision planting produces results — but doesn’t come cheap
Small-plot study finds 15 per cent yield bump, but cost and fertilization are issues with precision planter
Reading Time: 5 minutes New research shows that tightening up row spacing when seeding canola with precision planters can make a big yield difference — up to 15 per cent more, in fact — compared to conventional air drills. That’s a key finding from a four-year small-plot study by Farming Smarter researchers after adjusting a precision vacuum planter to […] Read more
Less is proving to be more at Agri-Trade Equipment Expo
The change to a three-day format proved to be a success as the show continues to hit the high notes
Reading Time: 3 minutes It was a major change, but Agri-Trade’s switch to a three-day format proved to be a success. “That was a real positive move,” said Dave Fiddler, manager of the Red Deer ag equipment expo. The move to a three-day format (from four previously) was exhibitor driven, with most wanting to be away from home for […] Read more
The heat is on for innovation award contestants at Agri-Trade
The Red Deer show is using a ‘Dragons’ Den’ approach to pick the winner of its Ag Innovation award
Reading Time: 4 minutes Showcasing agriculture innovations has long been one of Agri-Trade’s priorities. But this year, it’s upping its game — and making the contenders for its Ag Innovation award do the same. Organizers of the Red Deer ag equipment expo will give $20,000 to a company that not only has a creative product or service that benefits […] Read more
Trade war and sagging prices push out U.S. farmers
A decade ago, young people were flocking back to the farm — but now they, and their parents, are leaving
A decade ago, young people were flocking back to the farm — but now they, and their parents, are leaving
Reading Time: 5 minutes Shuffling across his frozen fields, farmer Jim Taphorn hunched his shoulders against the wind and squinted at the auctioneer standing next to his tractors. After a fifth harvest with low grain prices, made worse last fall by the U.S.-China trade war, the 68-year-old and his family were calling it quits. Farming also was taking a physical toll […] Read more
Spray variability may be costing you big bucks
Several factors can cause uneven spraying — and they almost always come down to speed
Reading Time: 4 minutes In some parts of the field, as much as half of the herbicide you spray may not hit the target, says a spraying expert. And while there are a host of factors involved — including turns, boom height variability, and turbulence — more often than not, the culprit is speed, said Tom Wolf. The result […] Read more
Canadian Tractor Museum holding first fundraiser in June
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Tractor Museum is getting a funding boost from a major ag equipment dealer — and Albertans will have a chance to contribute, too. The museum, which opened in 2002 in Westlock, has 90 restored tractors, 30 stationary engines, and hundreds of toy tractors for kids. “A landmark for vintage tractor collectors from all […] Read more
Big equipment and rural roads aren’t a great match
You can’t shrink your equipment but you can reduce the risk of a collision
Reading Time: 4 minutes When it comes to transporting agricultural equipment, bigger almost never means better. After all, equipment is getting larger but roads are staying the same size. There are also fewer drivers on the road who know how to respect and respond to these large, slow-moving vehicles. It’s a potentially fatal cocktail and farmers are getting worried. […] Read more
Canada’s short line equipment makers on the cutting edge
These smaller manufacturers exported $1.8 billion of equipment and implements last year
Reading Time: 3 minutes If you’re frustrated that the big names in equipment manufacturing aren’t rolling out autonomous systems quickly enough, you may want to look a little closer to home. “With the clock ticking on when we’ll see autonomous farming become a commercial reality, my hope is that we’ll see Canadian manufacturers lead the way there,” said Leah […] Read more
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