The expense of procuring three-phase power has always been a significant hurdle for the efficiency and expansion of livestock operations, irrigation, grain-handling facilities and localized value-added processing. A Cincinnati firm, Single Phase Power Solutions, is re-introducing the world’s first 100 horsepower, single-phase electric motor. In an interview, company president Drew Abbott said that about 150 […] Read more
Ron Lyseng
Stories by Ron Lyseng
All-electric tractor headed for fields in developing countries
It doesn’t yet have a fit on prairie farms, but the 25-horsepower, all-electric tractor has finally become a reality. No, this is not a hybrid. There is no liquid fuel. Introduced to the North American public three months ago by Motivo Engineering in California, the Harvest tractor is simply a big battery on wheels. The […] Read more
PAMI verifies unique metering tool’s claims
On-frame, precision seed metering on an air seeder can create low, row-to-row coefficient of variance
Canola growers hoping to squeeze out extra profit are buying planters in an attempt to get better placement while at the same time cutting back on that expensive seed. But there is an air seeder option, says SeedMaster’s Aftan Chobot, explaining that a drill can achieve nearly the same seed placement performance as a planter. […] Read more
Soybeans & glyphosate-ready canola don’t mix
Most of those expanding soybean acres we see each year are on ground that had recently grown glyphosate-ready canola, and that presents a big problem. Most desirable soybean varieties are glyphosate resistant. Seeds from those previous glyphosate-tolerant canola crops can remain viable in the soil for five years, surprising producers with volunteer canola in what […] Read more
Soil stimulants and simulators
Plant Root Simulator delves into mysterious realm of hidden minerals, micronutrients and trendy biological root stimulants
About 10 percent of prairie farmers have begun studying micronutrients and biological agents at work in their soils. Often, one of their first observations is that there’s a distinct lack of information. Beginning in the 1940s when commercial fertilizers started to become generally available, the emphasis has been on high volume nitrogen phosphorus and potassium […] Read more
Tracked tree trasher makes short work of tall trunks
Thinking about clearing a little land this winter? Well, just to get the blood pumping, consider the new 310 horsepower Fecon FTX300 tree-mulching tractor. The Stage 5 Cummins QSB 6.7 delivers 310 h.p. to provide owners with plenty of power to drive the aggressive 5,600 pounds per sq. inch, high-flow, 115-gallons-per-minute hydraulic system and still […] Read more
Russian tractor turns to German technology
The big MTZ 4WD,which is based on the old Belarus 7010, has Bosh electrics/hydraulics and Mercedes power
The new 4WD K744 tractor is powered by a 435 horsepower Mercedes engine with Bosch electronics and Bosch 74 gallon per minute hydraulics, new cab and a price tag of $290,000. The K744 is based on the old Belarus 7010 tractor but with numerous upgrades. The Russian-built unit has a semi-powershift transmission with 16F plus […] Read more
Farmers urged to be alert when buying soil supplements
A senior agronomist for Koch Fertilizer said changes made five years ago eliminated performance testing requirements for fertilizer products, leaving farmers without access to information about the efficacy of new or existing fertilizer products. “Our Fertilizers Act had big changes on April 1, 2013, but just because it was April Fool’s Day doesn’t mean it’s […] Read more
Humic acid properties helpful in some ways
When Gordon Hutton read the Nov. 8 and Dec. 6 Western Producer stories on Graeme Sait’s alternative nutrition farming concept, he questioned whether humic acid can really replace nitrogen fertilizer. Hutton, formerly a forage specialist at Airdrie Alta., sent an email to Ross McKenzie, a retired Alberta Agriculture research agronomist. Hutton wanted to know if […] Read more
Weed-plucking robot roams fields
This tiny high-tech robot from Illinois recognizes young weeds and yanks the ravaging intruders hard by the neck
Herbicide resistance is costing millions. Tillage fosters erosion. So, might you be interested in a 25-pound, 12-inch wide robot that travels between crop rows plucking out weeds? A new robot with a single-minded focus on yanking young weeds is attracting the attention of Illinois corn growers. TerraSentia is a small, totally independent robot that works […] Read more
