Transport Canada has announced a pair of exemptions that should make it easier for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be used for commercial purposes. There's been growing excitement about using UAVs in agriculture, but until now, a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) from Transport Canada has been required for non-recreational flights. To accommodate commercial opportunities,... Read More
Category: Machinery
What’s the Old Wives’ Tale regarding fog? Or is it hoarfrost? Does it matter? That’s the burning issue co-hosts Shaun Haney and Jim Hale kick off this edition of the Kickin’ Tires podcast with, but don’t worry, they get into some much more machinery-related discussions after that. From what the used combine market may look... Read More
John Deere recently launched its 8000 Series of self-propelled forage harvesters with five new models. "The 8000 Series builds upon the best features of our popular 7000 Series Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters," said Shaun Fritchey, marketing representative, John Deere Ottumwa Works, in a release. "This new series integrates cutting-edge crop analysis and documentation with an innovative... Read More
Farm management and variable rate advisory firm Decisive Farming and Canada’s largest Case IH dealer — Rocky Mountain Equipment — have announced an alliance to integrate tech support for variable rate equipment. “There’s always been a gap in the market before this alliance between the variable rate provider and the equipment dealer. This is closing... Read More
What do you get when you combine footage from a GoPro, UAV, time-lapse camera, smartphone, with film editing software and a fantastic soundtrack? You get the video below — an entire growing season, from seed treating, to growth stages, to harvest — in about 11 minutes. Alberta farmer Jay Schultz (@WheatlanderJay) and his family have... Read More
How often do you test spray-water quality and what do you do if you've got hard water? If you're looking to replace your spray tank, is stainless still the way to go? What about double nozzles — are they really the bees knees? These are just some of the questions the Spray Tips series has... Read More
You likely remember Michelin expanding its lineup of AgriBib tires, with new features and sizes. Well, there's more. In September, its SprayBib tire lineup also expanded, with the introduction of the new 50-inch model, the first VF sprayer tire offered in this size. With a D speed rating, the new VF420/95R50 SprayBib can handle a... Read More
John Deere’s new W260 self-propelled windrower and 500R platform were on display at the Farm Progress Show this year. “The combination of the W260 Windrower and 500R Platform results in improved cut quality and consistent windrow formation to minimize dry-down time and deliver high-quality hay and forage,” said James Petersen, senior marketing representative, John Deere... Read More
Toromont Industries is expanding its farm equipment network in Manitoba. The parent company of Toromont Cat has acquired Ag West Equipment Ltd, with its dealerships at Neepawa and Portage la Prairie, for $6 million, inclusive of acquired debt. The acquisition, which occurred on September 30th, was made public with the release of Toromont's third quarter... Read More
If the soybeans are mature, but a wee bit damp yet, do you let them stand or get them in the bin so you can dry them down? Helmut Spieser, agricultural engineer with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, would call leaving the beans out a "gutsy" move, and not one that's... Read More