ROSENORT, Man. — Farmers lured into what seems like a good deal on a late model highway tractor should think twice before signing the cheque. That’s the opinion of brothers Jake and Peter Friesen of JPF 2000 in southern Manitoba, a specialty shop that focuses on performance modifications to diesel engines. “There are a lot […] Read more
Ron Lyseng
Stories by Ron Lyseng
Big diesels learn to play within rules
Some Tier 4i DPF truck owners want their entire emissions system removed at an independent shop. Others bring their trucks to an original equipment manufacturer dealer only for chip work. Most major truck dealers in Winnipeg agreed that the latest aftermarket electronic control technology has evolved to the point that diesel particulate filter, Tier 4 […] Read more
Roundup Ready canola threatens soybean crops
Negates rotation benefit | Glyphosate resistant canola brings disease into the field
CARMAN, Man. — Volunteer canola is causing headaches for Roundup Ready soybean growers in Manitoba. It is a difficult weed to manage when soybeans and canola are both resistant to glyphosate, according to Paul Gregoire, a graduate student at the University of Manitoba who explained the problem during a recent field day at the U […] Read more
Perennial sunflowers?
Developing commercially viable oilseed Researcher looks to develop high yielding, disease resistant perennial grain crop sunflowers
CARMAN, Man. — A commercially viable perennial sunflower crop may eventually become a reality but not for 15 to 20 years. Sean Asselin, a University of Manitoba masters student, told a recent tour of the U of M research farm near Carman that his native sunflower project has a two-pronged approach. He is looking for […] Read more
Gliding over the Tier 4i engines
Gliders, trucks that come without engines and transmissions, are being ordered by truckers and farmers who have a good but well-worn truck, but they don’t want the higher costs and reliability issues associated with some of the new EPA Tier 4i compliant engines. When they take delivery, they install the reliable engine and transmission they’ve […] Read more
Cat builds field prowler and grid-road howler
Caterpillar’s new tandem truck might be entering a busy marketplace with intense competition, but there are differences that will separate it from the pack, says a company manager. “This is not intended to be a highway hauler. We’re aiming it directly at the off-road market. To us, off-road means no road at all,” said Lorne […] Read more
Farmers and truckers ask, where did Cat go?
Cat wants its tattooed customers back. Caterpillar admits to annoying farmers and truckers when it stopped selling engines for highway tractors. “We have a very loyal customer base. We have guys with Cat tattoos on their arms instead of Harley Davidson tattoos,” says Lorne Lagimodiere, truck manager for Toromont Cat in Winnipeg. “There’s no doubt […] Read more
Twin-row technology works well for grains, vegetables, oilseeds and pulses
PORTAGE la PRAIRIE, Man. — In the quest for perfect canola seed placement, some producers try corn planters designed for large seeds, while others use vegetable planters designed for microscopic carrot seeds. But in southwestern Alberta, farmers latched onto the benefits of the Monosem Precision Vacuum Twin-Row Planter about 20 years ago. About 100 producers […] Read more
Ag app provides on-the-go field information
Canadian farmers may not have come as far as they believe they have when it comes to digitalizing field information. Agronomists, crop consultants and their farmer clients need to do a better and faster job of communicating with each other, says Peter Gredig, an agronomist in southern Ontario. Gredig recently launched a new IPad agricultural […] Read more
Consider planter for precise spacing
Higher yield with less seed | Air seeders equipped with regulators for smaller seeds work, but not as well as a planter
CARMAN, Man. — Corn and soybean frontiers push further north and west each year, driven by improved varieties, new technology and possibly a warming climate. This creates new seeding challenges for farmers accustomed to putting cereal and canola seeds through an air seeding system. Although manufacturers have had success adapting air systems to corn and […] Read more
