REGINA – The trend to direct seeding and minimum tillage has been good for Prairie shortline implement manufacturers.
Several companies sold out of seeding and tillage equipment this spring and are predicting continuing strong sales.
George Blair, territory manager for Bourgault Industries of St. Brieux, Sask., attributes the strong sales solely to the change in farming practices.
“It just makes economic sense to go to air seeding,” he said during an interview at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show. “And minimum till – your tractor isn’t going to wear out, you aren’t going to use as much fuel every year.”
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Bourgault’s seeding and tillage equipment is sold out and orders are backed up into September and October.
“Last year we sold out in February and this year in March, but we increased production, too,” Blair said. “I see the trend continuing to rise for at least the next five or six years.”
Flexi-Coil Ltd. of Saskatoon is also experiencing good times thanks to direct seeding.
Delivery in fall
Territory manager Don Henry said there was a shortage of air drills and parts at the end of March. A production run to the end of May took care of that, but now delivery can’t be guaranteed until Aug. 28.
“It’s been a big change in mindset toward direct seeding, more so in Saskatchewan,” Henry said. “I think the change from conventional seeding came sooner in Manitoba. The money just wasn’t there to convert before now either.”
He said optimism throughout the farming community has also spurred some sales.
Wendy Morris, president of Morris Industries in Saskatoon, called the situation one of “close supply” rather than a shortage.
Morris sold almost its entire production line this spring, she said, but has now replenished stock. Many orders have come in under an early order program.
“There’s a definite upswing in the marketplace,” she said. “Customers’ attitudes are changing. They’re in today and they’re in for the long term. They’re replacing equipment and purchasing new technology to be more cost-effective.”
Morris said supply and demand must remain balanced, and she hopes the industry doesn’t see companies holding back supply to keep demand high.
