We all know what fabric quonsets are all about. They are low-cost tent-like structures thought of as temporary shelters that require maintenance or perhaps new fabric after about 10 years. When the hot-dipped galvanized steel frames start to corrode, often within a decade, they become a safety hazard and off they go to the dump. […] Read more
Ron Lyseng
Stories by Ron Lyseng
Improved screenless drying, lower fire risk
Conventional screen-type grain dryers allow kernels to be placed directly on the hot screen, thus damaging those kernels. However, there’s a small number of dryers that don’t use a screen. Dave Wall of Wall Grain has been selling dryers prairie-wide since the early 1980s. There’s a good chance one of his Vertec, Ibec, Neco or […] Read more
AirAuger ‘fluidizes’ grain and ‘lifts’ it out of the bin
The AirAuger from AirLanco is a novel system employing high volume airflow from the bin floor to “lift” and help grain unload. It serves double-duty as a heavy-duty aeration system. High volume fans force outside air into concrete troughs created in floors that are sloped toward an unload sump. The troughs have a steel grating […] Read more
Can icons simplify chemical labels?
Judging a herbicide by its label can sometimes be as difficult as judging a book by its cover, especially if you’re reading product labels on your tiny smartphone screen. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency database on labels comprises PDFs, which are often difficult to use when projected on a small screen. However, labels are the […] Read more
Foliar fungus ignores spring weather
Field work wasn’t finished last fall and recent cold, wet spring has prairie pulse growers wondering how these circumstances will affect the disease situation. “Most of our pulse diseases are driven by environmental conditions during the growing season, so we still don’t know for sure what to expect this year,” says Saskatchewan Agriculture plant disease […] Read more
CropLife Canada supports icons on chemical labels
The initiative by Sprayers101.com to incorporate a label summary sheet into an overhaul of the obsolete label system, complete with universal icons, has the support of producers and industry. CropLife Canada spokesperson Russell Hurst said the organization supports the initiative to explore the usefulness of labels in their current state. “We need farmers and applicators […] Read more
Challenging spring interferes with weed control plans
CORRECTION: June 10, 2020 – 0945 CST – The original version of this story erroneously quoted Sask. Ag weed specialist Clark Brenzil as saying that Arylex was the equivalent of “florasulam”, which it is not. Brenzil reminds growers to refer to product labels, manufacturer use guides or provincial pesticide guides for proper use of registered […] Read more
Phoenix rises in the mud
If you believe in “Rise of the Phoenix” listen up. The time-honored Phoenix rotary harrow is now available in a heavy-duty version, almost as if it was designed for our current wet spring. In the legend, Phoenix rose from the ashes. This spring, the Rite Way rotary harrow instead is rising from the mud. Rite […] Read more
It’s green but works on red, blue and yellow machines
Simple low-cost autosteer with practical installation makes use of Deere’s technology but is a fit for many older machines
Most farmers want autosteer on older machines and newer machines that didn’t come with OEM autosteer. The challenge is which aftermarket system. There are many from which to choose. Now there’s one more, and it’s green. Deere says their new AutoTrac Controller 300 expands automated steering to more ag machines, making autosteer easier and less […] Read more
Masks, masks and more masks
How big is a germ? How tight does my mask have to fit to repel germs? We looked at these questions and more.
According to an Agri-Facts factsheet published by Alberta Agriculture (Agdex 086-8), the two main classes of respirators are air-purifying respirators and atmosphere-supplying respirators. Air-purifying respirators (APRs) are the most common. They depend on the users breathing to draw air in through the filter. They remove contaminants from the air with cartridges or canisters before the […] Read more
