Reading Time: 6 minutes Record-high grain and oilseed prices are a speck in the rear-view mirror, but they’ve left a legacy of higher costs. “When we see higher grain prices, we can expect to pay higher inputs,” said Scott Keller, a mixed grain farmer near New Norway. “All the companies selling crop inputs look at farmers’ margins and then […] Read more
Inputs and iron: Relentless price hikes squeeze producers
When crop prices soared, so did costs — and they stayed high even as farm revenues fell back to earth
Ritchie Bros. buys Saskatchewan’s Kramer Auctions
One of the Prairies’ major farm auction houses has become part of the world’s biggest industrial auction firm. Vancouver-based Ritchie Bros. announced Tuesday it has bought Kramer Auctions of North Battleford, Sask. for an undisclosed sum. The company, set up in 1949 by the late Eiling Kramer, today runs about 75 on-farm dispersal auctions, four […] Read more
Deere dealer chain Cervus to seek real estate buyer
Prairie farm machinery dealer chain Cervus Equipment Corp. plans to sell about 10 properties where it now operates dealerships and become their long-term tenant. The publicly-traded Calgary company, which operates 72 farm and industrial equipment dealerships in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, said Tuesday it plans to seek out a sale-and-leaseback deal for about 10 […] Read more
Don’t buy equipment from an unlicensed dealer or distributor
Reading Time: < 1 minute When buying new farm equipment, part of making an informed decision is checking to make sure the dealer or distributor is licensed. “Farmers should be aware that if they are conducting business with an unlicensed farm implement business, they will not have any protection under the Farm Implement Act,” said Jeana Les, rural engagement and […] Read more
Be extra cautious when using public roads, says Alberta Agriculture
It’s highly recommended to only travel during the day and when traffic is light, says farm safety co-ordinator
Reading Time: 2 minutes When it comes to moving farm equipment on public roads, a little planning can go a long way towards preventing accidents. “Farmers should check their route prior to starting out with farm equipment to be sure equipment will fit on all roads and bridges and that there are no low-hanging power lines along the route,” […] Read more
Sask. rancher charged as missing equipment found
A western Saskatchewan cattle rancher faces charges of theft and possession of stolen goods after the discovery of missing tractors, balers, trucks and other equipment Thursday. Iain Stables, 38, is due in Provincial Court in Saskatoon on April 14 to answer to 29 criminal charges, Saskatoon RCMP said in a release Friday. Saskatoon and Warman […] Read more
There’s lots to look at — and places to chat — at Agri-Trade
This year’s edition of the popular Red Deer exhibition is ‘all about networking’
Reading Time: 2 minutes After a year like this one, we need to talk. And there will be lots of opportunities to do just that at this year’s edition of Agri-Trade. “This year is all about networking — getting people into the show, allowing people the chance to sit, visit and get caught up with their neighbours and friends […] Read more
Deere & Co. to buy Monsanto’s Precision Planting farm equipment business
Chicago/Reuters – Monsanto Co’s Climate Corp subsidiary on Tuesday announced a definitive agreement to sell its Precision Planting farm equipment business to Deere & Co for an undisclosed sum. The deal also allows nearly real-time data connections between certain John Deere farm equipment and Climate’s farming software programs, Climate FieldView. Climate will keep its digital farming […] Read more
John Deere to acquire European farm equipment maker Monosem
Reuters – Deere & Co. shares rose about 2 per cent on Monday after the company said it plans to acquire Monosem, a European family-owned farm equipment manufacturer that specializes in “precision planters” designed to increase crop production. Deere would not comment on the transaction’s financial details or Monosem’s revenues, but it does expect the […] Read more
While you’re harvesting, first responders hope they aren’t needed
It’s a dangerous time of year — here are some tips for making it safer
Reading Time: < 1 minute Even as farmers were out in their fields, dozens of first responders from the Foothills Fire Department were preparing for the worst. More than 20 members of the 150-person department attended a training session at Heritage Pointe Fire Station in De Winton earlier this month. Among the sessions was a hands-on practice in which a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
