RED DEER – With a range of horsepower starting at 350 and peaking at nearly 700, the engines on John Deere’s forage harvesters are attracting attention. However, it’s the little things that make the recent line of forage machines stand out. For example, the self-propelled harvesters can take advantage of an optional Harvest Lab that […] Read more
Production
Forage harvester wired for data
Scale automates weight recording
RED DEER – A livestock chute can sound like a bingo hall as operators call out identification numbers and weights as the animals reach the scale and squeeze. New Zealand’s Gallagher has developed a computerized solution to the problem by automating the recording of weights and animal identification in a silent, single pass. Other integrated […] Read more
Residual phosphorus insufficient for plants
CALGARY – High phosphorus prices are prompting producers to take a close look at the fields on which they have continually applied the pricey nutrient. While some producers rely on soil tests to ensure they meet projected crop needs, many apply fertilizer based on targeted crop yields and expected crop removal of nutrients. Either way, […] Read more
Rapid research clubs clubroot
Igor Falak looked down at the plants freshly pulled from the St. Albert, Alta., soil. What he saw Aug. 8 made him feel good about being a plant breeder. Earlier that day, the Ontario research scientist had joined assistant professor Steven Stelkov’s team from the University of Alberta to visit the field where clubroot had […] Read more
Versatile steps back to the future
Buhler Industries has announced that the historic Versatile brand name will become the sole name on all Versatile tractors. The Buhler name now carried on these tractors will be gone. The new logo is a version of the double-wing V logo from the 1980s. “We recognize the history that is tied to the Versatile name,” […] Read more
Weeds controlled through seed coat abuse
Weeds are vulnerable to more than chemicals. They are also susceptible to natural pests and that creates opportunities for farmers to control them using the natural environment. Weed seeds with cracks and cuts in their seed coats are more prone to damage from natural pests. And because the seeds survive for up to 25 years […] Read more
When the air conditioning fails
Henry Guenter, is a former service manager for Massey Ferguson. He has compiled information on air conditioning and what to check when it fails. Air conditioning is used on many machines, yet there are things about it that baffle us. Here is how it works. Liquid is turned into gas by dropping the pressure. A […] Read more
Combine runs on triangular tracks
Fargo, N.D. – The Case 8010 combine mounted on Quadtrac drivers was a major attraction in Fargo earlier this fall. The preproduction unit was on display at the Big Iron show. Farmers attending the equipment show wanted to know if they could jack up their Quadtrac in the fall and bolt two drive units to […] Read more
New Products
Raven Industries has added variable rate application capabilities to the South Dakota company’s Envizio Pro field computer. The systems provide variable control of a single product, applying it at rates determined through prescription maps imported from most agricultural software mapping systems. The Raven units have a 6.5 inch touch screen display, an integrated global positioning […] Read more
Fall anhydrous: Is now a good time?
Choosing to go with a fall-banded application of anhydrous ammonia this year or wait until spring is a tough decision. Apart from the obvious advantages of spreading out some of the workload, the other major consideration of cost is impossible to predict. Anhydrous ammonia is typically cheaper in fall, but with commodity markets looking like […] Read more
