CINCINNATI, Ohio – Those big headland X patterns created by overlapping seed rows have gotten bigger over the years as drills get wider. There’s no reliable way to avoid putting down extra seed and fertilizer. If growing conditions are perfect, the extra inputs might provide extra yield, but how often does that happen? A more […] Read more
Production
Halt headland double seeding
Spittlebugs in trefoil cause little damage
This summer, Brent Elliott, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, received many calls about spittlebugs in trefoil. Elliot said the species in Manitoba trefoil fields is the meadow spittlebug, or Philaenus spumarius. Spittlebugs are small, soft bodied insects closely related to leafhoppers. They feed by sucking plant juices, like leafhoppers, but seldom cause economic damage. They […] Read more
Hand tool bleeds hose pressure
REGINA – Every farmer has struggled with an unruly hydraulic hose. Either the hose was removed while still pressurized or it sat in the sun all day, heated up the oil in the line and created pressure on the ends. Chuck Campbell has been selling farm equipment and attending farm trade shows for the past […] Read more
Brown stripe can attack grasses in cool, wet fall
In recent years, grasses in Manitoba have fallen victim to various stripe and streak diseases, according to Philip Northover, a plant pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture. Brown stripe and brown leaf streak are caused by the fungus Cercosporidium graminis. The symptoms have been reported on timothy and orchardgrass. Fescues, bluegrasses, bentgrasses and meadow foxtail also could […] Read more
Peas, sunflowers effective rotation crops: U.S. study
Dry peas are a “must” in the Northern Plains, according to researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Used in rotations, they have a positive effect on many subsequent crop yields and are efficient users of precipitation, regardless of how dry or wet the growing season is. Researchers in Mandan, North Dakota, found that certain […] Read more
In-floor outlet pedestal safe way to power up
MAPLE CREEK, Sask. – Easy access to power and air in a shop is always a challenge. Tripping over extension cords and air hoses leading from a workbench can be dangerous. Having worked in shops all his life, Ken Sawby wanted to set up his own shop with a convenient and safe system that allowed […] Read more
New Products
Filter funnel Mr. Funnel Fuel Filter filters water, dirt and debris from fuel as it passes through. The filter is constructed of lightweight, industrial-grade polypropylene. It separates out water and other contaminants with a non-stick, built-in, stainless steel filter, allowing only clean fuel to exit. It filters all types of fuel including gas, diesel, two-cycle […] Read more
New J.D. tractors offer smooth move from September 6, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Agricultural tractors with parallel twin rubber tracks are notorious for bouncy rides. The front of the tracks jump up and down in some field conditions, much the way a porpoise leaps through waves. The porpoising action in the field is rough on the operator and machine and it prevents all the power […] Read more
Ratchet system helps move grain auger
MORTLACH, Sask. – Many farmers build their grain bins on a bit of a rise so water doesn’t accumulate around them. But then when farmers need to push an auger uphill to a bin, they often need two people. Philip Simrose said there had to be a better way to move his auger around. The […] Read more
What your Massey manual won’t tell you
Henry Guenter was a service manager for Massey Ferguson for many years. Now retired, he decided to compile some of his observations on how to improve the operation of certain MF equipment. We have included a few regarding Massey combines. The rest of the information is available here: What your massey manual won’t tell you. […] Read more
