Glacier FarmMedia – The price of new and late model farm equipment will continue to be high in 2023. As the loonie’s value falls in relation to the American dollar, assets manufactured outside of Canada cost more. “Especially when you’ve got a piece of equipment that you put on order, at some point they’re (dealers) […] Read more
Used farm equipment to remain pricey
Strong farm cash receipts, weakening U.S. exchange rate underpins farm equipment values
Identifying microbial compounds can help predict crop risks
U.S. company uses genomic sequencing to identify a wide variety of pathogens and pests that can pose a threat to corn and soy crops
Glacier FarmMedia – An American company uses genome sequencing of soil tests to monitor pest, disease and fertility risks for corn and soy crops. Pattern Ag uses soil metagenomics, a tool that can identify compounds produced by microbes in soils, to produce long-term predictions about crop risks and nutrient deficiencies for row crops. “We provide […] Read more
Hydrogen-powered tractor engines approach reality
Versatile says working with Cummins on a 15-litre engine is a good opportunity for the company to prepare for the future
Glacier FarmMedia – The first place farmers will see the 15-litre hydrogen engine being developed by Cummins will likely be in a Versatile tractor. “We’ve had a partnership with Cummins since the second year we were building tractors,” said Erron Leafloor of Versatile, which makes its tractors in Canada. “They’ve relied upon us a couple […] Read more
Grain bin comes with full-cone aeration system
Design enables more efficient drying with similar fan compared to aeration systems on flat bottom bins
Glacier FarmMedia – A grain bin hopper with a full-cone aeration system is now available to farmers. It has a second perforated floor that enables air flow between the hopper floor and the perforated floor. This allows bins only partially full of grain to be aerated, as opposed to some systems where grain must be […] Read more
Hunt for disease pathogens goes even smaller-scale
AAFC scientists are developing biological assays that can be used to detect crop and livestock diseases
Researchers at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research centre in Saskatoon are developing molecular diagnostic assays to detect significant pathogens associated with crops and livestock production. Biological assays are methods for assessing the presence or biological activity of a substance in living cells and biological matter. Tim Dumonceaux of AAFC said many pathogens are […] Read more
American drainage studies show broad scale of returns on investments
Long-term data collection shows yield benefits and more effective soil conservation
Glacier FarmMedia – Two long-term research studies show a significant return on investment of tile drainage in American cropping conditions in the Midwest. Eileen Kladivko of Purdue University published an update on a 35-year study on a 15-acre plot of poorly drained silt loam soil in Indiana where tile drainage was installed. When the study […] Read more
Scouting robot seeks validation
Every day the robot lurks in fields, watching, seeing all and recording every event, searching for anomalies
Glacier FarmMedia – Another agricultural robot is roaming Canadian fields. Brazilian-based Solinftec uses artificial intelligence to guide its robot’s motion in fields, and to analyze the images of crops it captures as it travels autonomously along crop rows. Leo Carvalho of Solinftec said the Solix Ag robot scans for crop health and nutrition, disease, insects […] Read more
Combining forces and experience, Krone and Lemken are autonomous
For the European shortliners, working together harnesses global skills to put Combined Powers to work in farmers’ fields
Glacier FarmMedia – Krone and Lemken teamed up to build a robotic tractor and implements designed to help the companies keep pace with the autonomous revolution expected to sweep the agricultural sector. Combined Powers is the name of the joint project. Yves Desjardins of Lemken said there are multiple reasons it made sense for the […] Read more
Weather forecaster uses many sources
New system gathers information from sensors, national forecasters and machine learning to localize forecasts
Glacier FarmMedia – California-based Benchmark Labs uses Internet of Things weather sensors, information from national forecasters and machine learning to improve local weather forecasts for farmers. Carlos Gaitan, chief executive officer of Benchmark Labs, said the new system was designed with growers of specialty crops in mind so they can adjust quickly to imminent weather […] Read more
SeedMaster supplies Deere with drills
John Deere will install its air seeding technology on frames provided by SeedMaster
Glacier FarmMedia – Fans of SeedMaster toolbars and equipment with green paint may benefit from a new equipment supply agreement between John Deere and SeedMaster. SeedMaster will supply Deere with 60-, 70-, 80- and 90-foot frames in green paint, with 10- or 12-inch spacing and dual knife openers. The dual-knife opener places fertilizer 1.5 inches […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
