INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A small antenna mounted on top of a tractor, sprayer or combine can now give farmers wi-fi access in the field from their home router. Ayrstone Productivity of Minnesota created the tractor-based wi-fi system to give farmers access to their farm equipments’ production data and use their laptop, smartphones and other equipment […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Continuous corn cropping works for Indiana farmer
Big yields with hybrid varieties | Farmer says the yields he generates from growing corn year after year are better than a corn-soybean rotation
BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Most U.S. Midwest farmers follow a corn-soybean rotation, but Hession Farms’ 5,000 acres are always in corn. “We feel we are better at producing corn. Year in year out, we consistently hit top yields with corn,” said Anthony Hession, whose family emigrated from Ireland in 1837. “Our corn yields can compete with […] Read moreTrip to Indiana offers unusual experience
I am now an Indianapolis Colts fan. I have never seen them play or been vaguely interested in the National Football League, but I caught Colt fever last week in Indianapolis when a group of agriculture journalists toured Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts. We raced through the same en-trance onto the field as […] Read more
Biosecurity measures control PED
Strong biosecurity measures by Canadian hog producers continue to keep the deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus under control. Only 70 positive sites have been reported in Canada in the 26 weeks since it was discovered on a southern Ontario hog farm in January. The last reported case was July 21 on a farm near Perth, […] Read more
U.S. millionaire eager to protect agriculture
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — An American multimillionaire who grew up poor on a southern Indiana farm is taking on animal rights activists. Forrest Lucas said he is standing up to well-funded animal rights activists who want to stop animal agriculture because few people are willing to do so. “We are punching the hell out of these […] Read more
Gardeners’ help sought in solving issue affecting garlic, onions
Alberta Agriculture’s horticulture branch is trying to sleuth out why some onion and garlic crops have reduced yield, poor storability and overall poor performance. Horticulturalist Rob Spencer said the department is asking home, market and commercial gardeners to report issues in an effort to get to the bottom of the problem. He said one cause […] Read more
Yak producer looks for buyer for 250 head herd
Canada’s largest yak herd is for sale. Phil Marsh says he will sell his 250-head herd for $1,000 a cow-calf pair, or give a discount for the entire herd. “I’m open to offers,” said Marsh, who farms near McBride, B.C. Marsh bought his first yaks in 2006 and has slowly expanded the herd. Meat from […] Read more
Spread of pork virus threat stalled
Strong biosecurity measures by Canadian hog producers continue to keep the deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea under control. Only 70 positive sites have been reported in Canada in the 26 weeks since it was discovered on a southern Ontario hog farm in January. The last reported case was July 21 on a farm near Perth, Ont. […] Read more
Cattle, army conduct joint manoeuvres
Livestock, soldiers co-exist | The Canadian Forces Base in Wainwright, Alta., is ideal for army training, cattle grazing
WAINWRIGHT, Alta. — It may be the ultimate multi-use grazing area. The cattle at the Canadian Forces Base in Wainwright share the range with hunters, pipelines, gas well activity, tanks, bombs and soldiers. Cows have the right to wander across the 148,000 acre base, but the military and its activity have priority. “The army is […] Read more
VIDEO: Wifi signal booster enables reception far from home
Western Producer reporter Mary MacArthur is in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the 16th Annual Ag Media Summit. One of the interesting things she found at the accompanying trade show is a farm wifi system designed to boost your home wifi network signal out as far as 11 km from home.
