Spreading fertilizer on the surface of fields was a standard practice in Western Canada before it became popular to deep band and seed row place fertilizer. However, there has recently been a move back to spreading fertilizer as growers try to lessen the workload during seeding and reduce their early season financial exposure to inadequate […] Read more
Robin Booker
Stories by Robin Booker
SeedMaster’s application bar a time saver
REGINA — Growers who own a SeedMaster Nova air cart can now use it to spread fertilizer with the company’s new Nova Flex fertilizer application bar. “All we are trying to do is add value to their already significant investment in the Nova and not have them go out and buy a purpose built machine […] Read more
Salford’s high-capacity boom spreader takes field advantage in windy conditions
REGINA — Salford has introduced a high capacity pull-behind boom spreader to compete with large floater trucks in the spreader market. It has a 580 cubic foot hopper and delivers product through a 66-foot air boom. Salford’s Mark Van Veen said most customers operate the Magna Boom Spreader at 10 to 18 m.p.h., but that […] Read more
Salford spreader offers variable rates, hydraulic power
REGINA — Salford displayed a new offering in its 8600 pull-type pneumatic boom applicator lineup at Canada’s Farm Progress show. The 8611 has an 11-tonne capacity and is capable of variable rate application, side-to-side sectional control and applying two products at the same time. “What makes this particular machine unique is the control systems,” said […] Read more
DIY kit produces vertical tillage unit
REGINA — Take that old cultivator and give it new life as a vertical tillage tool. “We had a customer who had to use a chainsaw to cut down the trees growing through the chisel plow they wanted to convert,” said Dean Gaber of Gaber Distributing. The oil bath bearing unit, which has two coulter […] Read more
Funds needed for product research
Global sales of biostimulant cropping products are rapidly increasing and are expected to reach more than $2.5 billion by 2018. Farmers who attend agricultural trade shows have likely noticed that many new agronomic products are being sold. Canadian research organizations study the effectiveness of cropping products, but the information gleaned from this research is often […] Read more
Sales rebound coming: FCC
Sales of new tractors and combines are expected to increase in Canada, based on higher crop receipts in 2016 and 2017, according to Farm Credit Canada. FCC released its 2016-17 Farm Receipts and Equipment Sales report, based on projections of farm cash receipts and other economic variables, such as the Canadian dollar, interest rates and […] Read more
John Deere upgrades air cart, drill
REGINA — John Deere has responded to the larger drills and air carts that its competitors have released into the North American market over the past few years. The company’s new C850 air cart was designed to be a good fit when towed behind its new 76 foot version of the 1870 drill. At 850 […] Read more
Lots of rain, but disease a risk: expert
For some crops, like lentils, durum and hay, wet weather could cause disease and quality issues and reduce yields
REGINA — Drew Lerner’s summer forecast for the Prairies suggests crops will have adequate moisture through the vegetative and reproductive growth stage. However, diseases will likely be a problem for vulnerable crops such as lentils, and production of high-quality hay may be problematic. Lerner, who runs World Weather Inc., based his prediction on jet stream […] Read more
Better mixing eases sprayer cleaning
Growers should be aware of which chemicals pose risks and how to properly clean a sprayer’s nooks and crannies
The first step in flushing out a sprayer should actually occur when the tanks are being filled says spraying expert Tom Wolf. “That means making sure you’re properly dissolved, making sure you’re properly mixed,” Wolf said. He said improper mixing of chemicals can cause problems at the end of the tanks, where vigorous agitation can […] Read more
