John Deere recently announced new innovations to its combine lineup at the Agritechnica machinery show in Germany. John Deere showed three new technologies available now or will be available soon. Harvesting grain, especially small grains, on slopes challenges getting the grain cleaned as it floats toward the down-slope direction. John Deere has its Hillmaster line […] Read more
John Greig
Stories by John Greig
Equipment makers strengthen supply chains
Equipment manufacturers increase inventories, production at home and suppliers of critical components
Agricultural machinery companies are reducing supply chain risks by finding multiple suppliers for key components and bringing some manufacturing back to their home countries. Agrievolution, a coalition of 13 agricultural machinery trade associations, presented an update on the global market at Agritechnica, the farm machinery show recently held in Hannover, Germany. Secretary general Charlie O’Brien […] Read more
New Holland combine boosts productivity, maintains size, weight
New design moves drivelines away from the side of the combine and increases the width of the rotors and feeder channel
HANNOVER, Germany — New Holland’s new CR11 combine moves more bushels than any previous New Holland combine but takes up the same space on the road, thanks to some award-winning engineering. The CR11 increases productivity for the New Holland line, coming in at 775 horsepower and featuring two 24-inch rotors, a grain tank capacity of […] Read more
VIDEO: Massey Ferguson launches new 9S tractor series
UPDATE: This story was updated with the addition of a video at 1125 CST – December 5, 2023 HANNOVER, Germany — Massey Ferguson has launched its long-awaited 9S tractor, bringing the latest design to a high-horsepower offering from the company. The 9S tractors replace the 8700 S line for the company and bring increased power […] Read more
Many factors can affect milk frothing problem
The length of lactation, frequency of milking, pre-chilling and filter replacement all contribute to higher free fatty acids
A frothy problem identified by Starbucks baristas in British Columbia does not have a simple solution. Elevated levels of free fatty acids (FFA) in milk can result in cheese coagulation issues and milk with poor taste, shorter shelf life and a lack of frothing ability, which is the big concern for coffee chains. The theory […] Read more
5 lessons learned at Agritechnica
I spent five days at Agritechnica 2023, and here are five things I learned. It’s a challenge sometimes to pull out the strong European policy influence on exhibitors and farmers at this show, but there are lessons for Canadian farmers, and the technology created to manage European problems in some cases will make economic sense […] Read more
VIDEO: Agritechnica – Blurring the planter and the seed drill; summary video
Is it a planter or a drill? If a concept machine created by Horsch eventually comes to the market, someone might have to invent a new category. “We’re trying to mix and trying to get the best of both worlds, which is a seed drill and a corn planter,” says Laurent Letzler, who manages Horsch […] Read more
Agritechnica update: A new big horsepower Massey, adjustable hay conditioning and automation matures
Massey Ferguson released its new high-horsepower 9S tractor at Agritechnica. It’s the next tractor for Massey Ferguson with the unique 18 cm gap between the cab and the engine, which makes it more conformable for the operator and with better sight lines. It’s also new highest horsepower tractor available from Massey Ferguson at 425 maximum […] Read more
Agritechnica update: Canadian content and a John Deere update
There’s significant Canadian content at Agritechnica. Large companies like AGI and MacDon have impressive displays with significant real estate. I also happened upon the Canada pavilion, packed with companies familiar to many of us, including Honey Bee, Mankato, Schulte and Bushel Plus. The companies say that there’s value in companies from Canada banding together to […] Read more
Agritechnica update: Give a big shock to weeds
Farmers are being pushed to find an alternative to desiccants to burn down crops, as companies are increasingly leery of herbicides approved close to harvest. People have been shocking weeds with electricity for 100 years, but the return on the electricity invested and the technology required to do so safely haven’t always worked. Crop.zone is […] Read more
