Too many flowers on peach and apple trees are not necessarily a good thing. If all flowers that formed in spring were allowed to become fruit, the resulting crop may be large, but the fruit would be small and unmarketable. Larger fruit commands a higher market price. Fruit growers can spend lots of money to […] Read more
Production
Extract thins blossoms, boosts fruit
New movement builds connections between consumers, farmers – Organic Matters
Community supported agriculture (CSA) returns organic consumers to their roots by giving them fresh quality food while providing producers with reliable markets. Consumers get a sense of connection with their food, the land, the seasons, their farmer and other members of the CSA farm. Producers get a sense of connection with consumers, as well as […] Read more
Fall seeded canola yields good results
Planting canola in fall can be risky, but a few farmers have experienced good results while spreading out their seasonal workload. Arne and David Carlson have experimented with canola seeding in October and November for close to a decade on their farm near Gwynne, Alta. The Carlsons, who use only Roundup ready varieties, think the […] Read more
Seed Eater gobbles sunflowers
FARGO, N.D. – In the competitive world of sunflower harvesting equipment, prices for header attachments and specialty headers can vary from less than $6,000 to more than $60,000. Surprisingly, one of the most popular units bought by sunflower growers in North America and Europe is priced in the $6,000 range. Built in Jamestown, North Dakota, […] Read more
Customized truck earns its keep
FRANCIS, Sask. – Blaine Muhr’s water truck earns its keep. He uses it to haul his Willmar sprayer to and from jobs and during summer it acts as a tender truck for the local fire department. He also built an attachment to water down roads and recreational areas and control dust for parades and other […] Read more
Printing press table goes welding
MAPLE CREEK, Sask. – Farmers who spend a lot of time in the shop know the value of a good welding table. Ken Sawby operates Skyline Farms near Maple Creek with his son Jason. They also run High Desert Enterprises, a custom manufacturing business for the farm and oil industries. The Sawbys’ welding table got […] Read more
JD AutoTrac fits all ag implements
CINCINNATI, Ohio – John Deere has taken a big step in a new direction by introducing its AutoTrac Universal Steering Kit, designed to provide precision guidance to all makes and models of farm implements. While Deere has a history of selling engines and cabs to other equipment manufacturers, it has not earned any awards when […] Read more
Tractor axle retrofitted to drive sprayer
ROULEAU, Sask. – Heavy clay can be a challenge to farm. Even for sprayers, getting the power down to slick, greasy soil can be tough while also keeping ruts out of direct seeded fields. “Because we farm so close to the Moose Jaw creek, we need a mechanical drive sprayer, with lots of tires under […] Read more
Steering makes carts expert followers
FARGO, N.D. – Farmers who want a liquid cart to follow closely in the tracks of their tractors or seeding implements may want to explore four-wheel steering carts. This year’s Big Iron Show in Fargo debuted a pair of American-made four-wheel steering carts. A more advanced all-wheel steering cart from Pattison Liquid Systems in Saskatchewan […] Read more
New Products
Irrigation engine Case IH has introduced four irrigation power units – P70, P85, P110 and P170 – which range from 70 to 170 horsepower. The first three are 4.5 litre four cylinder units, while the P170 is a 6.8 litre six cylinder unit. All are equipped with a vernier self-locking speed control cable, so the […] Read more
