Drones are flying everywhere these days but farmers can’t use them to spray pesticides on their crops. It’s illegal to fly unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) for applying crop protection products in Canada and it’s likely to stay that way for a couple of years. Why are drones still grounded for spray application? The answer is… Read More

Linamar Corporation says it has completed its previously-announced purchase of Saskatchewan-based agricultural manufacturer Bourgault Industries, as of February 1. As part of the deal, Linamar has acquired 100 per cent of the equity in Bourgault, including the main seeder operations in St. Brieux, Sask., as well as hay handling and livestock feeding equipment-maker Highline Manufacturing… Read More

Designed by Stara, Brazil’s largest agricultural machinery manufacturer, the Imperador 4000 sprayer claims to feature the world’s only centrally-mounted boom. The sprayer was introduced in 2010 with a mid-mount boom between the two axles, designed deliver more stability, better targeting and higher spraying quality, says Stara’s export area manager Douglas Fernandez. In this report from… Read More

Large seed capacity and the ability to fold into a three-metre (about 10-foot) travelling width are two key features of the new Efecta CM 1200 air seeder from Bednar. In this report from Agritechnica, the company’s business director, Jan Bednar, explains how operators can manage seed flows from the two 6,000-litre tanks and monitor seed… Read More

CLAAS is the latest equipment manufacturer to share its plans to market autonomous tractors. At Agritechnica in Hanover, Germany, CLAAS showcased an Xerion autonomy-enabled prototype tractor and a two-step process to automation. In this interview, CLAAS head of technology management, Christoph Molitor, tells RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney that the company’s first step will be a “co-pilot”… Read More

When it comes to farm equipment manufacturers, Spalding, United Kingdom-based Horizon Agricultural Machinery is a relatively new kid on the block. The company has a growing dealership across 27 countries and is making inroads into the strip till and planter market, notes Horizon’s technical lead and national agronomist Jon Myhill. With the growth of strip… Read More

Farmers Edge has entered into an agreement with its largest shareholder to take the company private, pending approval from other shareholders. The deal would see a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings, which owns approximately 61 per cent of the common shares in the digital agriculture company, purchase the remaining shares for a price of C$0.35… Read More