Crop Management
Kubota has steadily grown its presence in the agricultural equipment sector during the past few years. That has meant adding more horsepower to the top end of its tractor line, including the previous introductions of the M7 and M8 models. In August, Kubota introduced a fourth generation version of the M7 tractors. The three updated […] Read more
Crop Management
Predictive maps help weed control
Greg Stewart is different from most innovators in Canadian agriculture. People that start ag companies are often plant scientists, agronomists or experts in farm machinery. Stewart has a master’s degree in applied mathematics from Dalhousie University and a PhD in control engineering from the University of British Columbia. “A controls engineer ensures that an organization […] Read more
Slope adjustment can reduce grain losses
John Deere recently announced new innovations to its combine lineup at the Agritechnica machinery show in Germany. John Deere showed three new technologies available now or will be available soon. Harvesting grain, especially small grains, on slopes challenges getting the grain cleaned as it floats toward the down-slope direction. John Deere has its Hillmaster line […] Read more
Equipment makers strengthen supply chains
Equipment manufacturers increase inventories, production at home and suppliers of critical components
Agricultural machinery companies are reducing supply chain risks by finding multiple suppliers for key components and bringing some manufacturing back to their home countries. Agrievolution, a coalition of 13 agricultural machinery trade associations, presented an update on the global market at Agritechnica, the farm machinery show recently held in Hannover, Germany. Secretary general Charlie O’Brien […] Read more
Carbon pricing exemption bill in doubt after senate amendment
REGINA — The Senate amended Bill C-234 Dec. 5, leaving its future very much in doubt. By a narrow 40-39 margin, senators voted in favour of Independent Senators Group Pierre Dalphond’s amendment to remove heating and cooling of barns from the bill that would have exempted propane and natural gas from carbon pricing. An exemption […] Read more
Record potato crop harvested
There will be no shortage of french fries in 2024. Canada and the United States produced a massive crop of potatoes in 2023, so french fry processing plants in Alberta, Manitoba and elsewhere will need to operate at full capacity to work through the huge stockpile of spuds. Statistics Canada data, released in early December, […] Read more
Farm expenses explode
About 99 percent of farmers are already aware of this fact, but growing crops and raising livestock has become very expensive. In a report on farm income released November 28, Statistics Canada said that operating expenses for farmers (after rebates) hit $73.3 billion in 2022. The cost of fertilizer, feed, fuel, seed and other inputs […] Read more
Analysts predict larger canola carryout
SASKATOON — Analysts think Canada’s 2023-24 canola carryout will be way bigger than the government is forecasting. Exports have been sluggish this year, trailing last year’s pace by 18 percent. Marlene Boersch, managing partner of Mercantile Consulting Venture, has dropped her export number to 7.5 million tonnes, well below last year’s 7.95 million. She has […] Read more
Urea forecast suggests short-term price declines, but recover later
SASKATOON — The short-term outlook for urea calls for falling prices but the medium-term forecast is the opposite, according to Argus Media. “Prices are coming under pressure,” Sophie Mason, manager of nitrogen analytics with the firm, said during a recent webinar. Limited demand is going to be the key market factor over the next couple […] Read more
Weather helps North African durum crop
SASKATOON — Growing conditions have improved in parts of North Africa and there should be more help on the way in the new year, says a meteorologist. Much-needed rain fell in northeast Algeria and northern Tunisia during the week ending Nov. 26, a region that had been particularly parched. But the rain missed Morocco, which […] Read more
