Swathers, windrowers | Biggest improvement is a V-Cool radiator system
BRANDON — The new Massey Ferguson WR series SP windrowers and swathers made their first prairie public appearance this winter. The WR is a new design, with unique features such as a rear suspension, said Willie Gilbert, a sales representative for Ag West Equipment at Portage la Prairie, Man. “The unit we have here at […] Read more
Ron Lyseng
Stories by Ron Lyseng
Stalk Stomper smashes through tire-tough trash
BRANDON — Sharp stalks from corn, canola and sunflowers can do a lot of damage to rubber tracks and tires, especially when the rubber is new. Rubber is most susceptible to cuts in the first 18 months while curing. However, deep cuts can occur even once the rubber has hardened, says John Wilke, Canadian dealer […] Read more
Farmers wrestle hardpan with Sumo
Compaction hinders drainage | Subsoil cultivator breaks up clay to improve water penetration
Many farmers are blame hardpan for their flooded fields and standing surface water. The theory behind blaming flooded fields on soil compaction is that water goes only as deep as the loose topsoil in a wet year. When it hits the compacted layer, it stops moving and ponds up. Loose topsoil becomes saturated like a […] Read more
Choose the right path before the crop goes down the drain
BRANDON — John Gehrer would likely say there is no single best combinatino of GPS control systems to manage field drainage. The Niverville, Man., farmer spent last summer comparing drainage control technologies. He also does custom spraying and drainage work, and has been using GPS since 1997. In a recent presentation, he touched on the […] Read more
Twisted Tiger: ripper or chisel plow?
BRANDON — Buying one machine to perform two distinct functions can be a good deal, provided it does both jobs properly. The latest cultivation implement from German manufacturer Michael Horsch is the Tiger, designed to meet high standards as a chisel plow working at four to six inches, a ripper working at 14 inches, or […] Read more
Subsoiler wrestles hardpan; leaves field smooth in wake
Reduces compaction | The Sumo can go as deep as 22 inches
BRANDON — The debate over whether frost breaks up hardpan is cooling down as more farmers take their penetrometers and spades to the field. The consensus is that the common belief that frost breaks up the compacted layer is not true. As a result, more producers realize they need some sort of deep ripper or […] Read more
Snowblower eager to blast through blizzards
Farmers earn extra cash | The tractor mounted blower can clear roads leading to hard to reach areas
BRANDON — Rapid expansion in the prairie oil patch and the gradual growth of wind farms have created a heyday for enterprising farmers. All those access roads need to be kept drift-free. Manufacturers representative Nick Rempel of Brandon said this results in excellent winter business opportunities for producers who have the necessary tractor power. “When […] Read more
Rolling along
BRANDON — Some bean growers are putting inoculant down as they roll their fields in an effort to speed up seeding. However, Gary McCrea of Ag Shield cautions that this works only when there is plenty of soil moisture near the surface. “If you’ve got a year with reasonable moisture near the surface so you […] Read more
New liquid seed treatment uses zinc to boost wheat emergence, yields
Placing nutrients as close to the seed as possible without risking damage has been the Holy Grail of fertility specialists for decades. Placing some of that nutrient right on the seed surface might be the ultimate solution, especially when dealing with micro-nutrients most essential to germination and early plant development. Awaken ST, a liquid seed […] Read more
Rubber biscuit smoothens ride
Reducing Deere bounce | Owners of older series T tractors able to cushion their ride
BRANDON — Farmers who own a John Deere 9000 series T tractor built between 2000 and 2007 know all about the term “rough ride.” “We wanted to use rubber biscuits to address the shakiness, vibration, rough ride, jarring and sharp bucks,” said Luke Bartel of ERA Manufacturing in Rosenort, Man. Bartel worked with Lloyd Friesen […] Read more
