Glacier FarmMedia – Is genetically modified wheat finally ready for prime time? Researchers at Agriculture Canada in Lethbridge have planted their first greenhouse plots of wheat with genes edited to better receive and use sunlight. Wheat is particularly suited for gene editing because its hexaploid (six parent) genome contains genes from three ancestral grasses. It’s […] Read more
Opinion: Barriers continue to fall for genetically modified wheat production
GPS receiver unlocks RTK precision
System designed to work with any base station that surveyors use
Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers that need RTK precision have another option with the launch of the Agra GPS CRG receiver. Andrew Clayton of Agra GPS said the new receiver is the first one outside of John Deere’s products that is compatible with Deere’s GPS system. “It supports all four satellite systems and comes with RTK, […] Read more
Big Bud tractor designed for easy repair
The new machine has a 1.5-inch thick frame, C-18 engine with a horsepower range from 640 to 750 and CAT 988 HD axles
Glacier FarmMedia – Big Bud tractors will roll off a production line this year for the first time since 1991. “We’re going back and building a new run of tractors again. Our primary reason is we think that there’s only a few major (tractor manufacturers) left in the industry, and they’re making it difficult for […] Read more
The secret messages of plants
New traits enable plants to signal up to seven separate issues by emitting coloured fluorescent proteins on their leaves
Glacier FarmMedia – Crop traits are being developed that will enable plants to signal when they’re exposed to specific stressors in a way that can be instantly detected by satellite or equipment-based cameras. Shely Aronov, chief executive officer of InnerPlant, she said this new data layer these crop traits enable will help farmers to become […] Read more
Claas, Trimble develop new GPS steering system
New system from Trimble and Class uses one user interface
Glacier FarmMedia – Trimble and Claas have developed a new GPS steering system for Claas tractors, combine harvesters and forage harvesters. The joint development includes satellite-based steering, precision farming and the ISOBUS infrastructure, including task management. Frank Buschmeier, Trimble’s marketing director, said the agreement was focused on improving the user experience within the cab. “Having […] Read more
Beneficial bugs protect stored grain
Biocontrols prevent bug infestations in processing and grain facilities
Glacier FarmMedia – Intentionally placing bugs in grain and food processing facilities to help manage pests is a tough idea to swallow in Canada, but the practice has been used in Central Europe since the mid-1990s. Vincent Hervet, an entomologist with Ag Canada in Winnipeg, conducted a literature review on the use of biological controls […] Read more
Soil tech firms allow sensors to work together
Ceres Imaging and Soiltech Wireless say the recent agreement allows their technology to validate each other in the field
Glacier FarmMedia – Ceres Imaging and Soiltech Wireless have an agreement that enables the two systems to work together. Soiltech Wireless offers a cellular-based wireless sensor and Ceres Imaging uses in-field sensors, advanced analytics and high-resolution imagery to provide a macro-level look at crops. Ehsan Soltan of Soiltech Wireless said the company’s wireless sensor monitors […] Read more
Tillage implements equipped with depth sensor
John Deere’s new TruSet Active system uses an ultrasonic sensor that constantly measures frame height and tillage depth
Glacier FarmMedia – John Deere has updated its TruSet product with a sensor that increases the accuracy of the automatic tillage depth system. The improved system, called TruSet Active, will be on all John Deere equipped TruSet tillage tools for model year 2024, including 2230 Field Cultivators, 2330 Mulch Finishers, 2660VT Vertical Tillage tools and […] Read more
John Deere brings new equipment to strip-till market
Five models of Deere-branded strip-till implements capable of fertilizer applications will be available this winter
Glacier FarmMedia – A new lineup of John Deere-branded strip-till rigs is expected to be available this winter. The tillage implements are produced by Environmental Tillage Systems, which sells them under the brand name SoilWarrior. The Deere-branded models are called John Deere ST, including ST12 and ST16 Integral that attach to the three-point hitch, and […] Read more
Drone spraying still grounded by rules
Many producers see drones as a lower-cost alternative but a full set of rules are needed before widespread use can occur
Glacier FarmMedia – Spray drone technology is rapidly evolving, but regulations that allow drones to apply crop protection products are struggling to get off the ground. The Remotely Piloted Aerial Application System (RPAAS) working group was formed to help connect individuals and organizations that are generating the data required to make drone applications legal in […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
