BALZAC, Alta. – Long rows of heavy-podded, lush canola plants grow toward the horizon on this farm near Balzac. They are part of an experiment that is studying the effects of a seed treatment on oats, wheat, barley, corn and canola. The treatment, which improves photosynthesis and results in more lush growth and higher yields, […] Read more
Production
Seed treatment taps into light for lush crops
Tests show doubled herbicide mix not efficient
Just because the products exist, it doesn’t mean mixing them is the right idea. Mixes of the herbicides diquat and glyphosate, while not common or registered in Canada, are used in other North American markets. They mainly come in the form of ready-to-use herbicides for smaller agricultural applications as a pre-seeding field burnoff without significant […] Read more
Proper combine storage eliminates next year’s hassles
As a former farm equipment industry service manager, I’ve had the chance to observe many strategies for combine storage over the years and have seen the results first-hand. I feel the following tips can make a combine perform better when it’s taken out of storage next summer and can also prolong the life of the […] Read more
New Products
New Gleaners; A farmers’ welder New Gleaners Agco’s Gleaner combine line has introduced new A and R series machines. The Duluth, Georgia company has increased capacity on the A6 and R6 machines with larger hopper filling and faster unloading augers, the latter peaks at four bushels per second. The machines share new, universal cabs. The […] Read more
New metals, new welding methods
FARGO, N.D. – Farmers may be among the world’s best welders, but they’re facing new challenges as more stainless steel and aluminum is incorporated into farm equipment. Increasing steel prices are behind the move as farm equipment manufacturers reconsider a variety of other metals and materials. “Price is causing us to consider other products that […] Read more
Practice makes perfect, but hit the books first
There’s a high school in Winnipeg where Grade 11 and 12 students learn to weld stainless steel and aluminum, two metals notoriously difficult for welders to master. The program has attracted students from as far away as Camrose, Alta. “You can be an excellent welder when it comes to mild steel, but when you try […] Read more
Cleanliness key in welding aluminum
Veteran welders who have tried their hand at aluminum tell a common story. After much difficulty, they weld the broken part back together, but when they try to bolt it back on the machine, it suddenly falls apart into four or five pieces. It’s happened to just about anyone who has tried aluminum welding before […] Read more
Village blacksmith still in steel
GRISWOLD, Man. – He may not “smite the black metal” much these days, but blacksmith Stuart Reimer finds that the hammer and anvil can still come in handy, just as they did for his forebears in decades past. “I do everything. Everything from engine rebuilding to welding manufacturing, general repairs and this and that,” said […] Read more
Welding sees new innovations
Cool cutting, portable power, fast fusing: the list of new and useful techniques in farm welding and metalworking is a long one these days. “Plasma cutters are probably near the top of the ‘I want that’ list for farmers,” said welding specialist Ilie Irinici. “We see farmers at our demonstration booths and they want that […] Read more
Organic research on a roll
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – From Alabama to North Dakota, U.S. researchers are growing crops only to run them down. “You have to admit there is a certain, twisted appeal to running over a crop and flattening it for anybody in agriculture, farmers or researchers,” said Steve Shirtliffe of the University of Saskatchewan’s agriculture and bioresources college. […] Read more
