Short-line header manufacturers are facing restricted ability to connect the electronics on their products to the digital systems on some major brand combines and swathers.  |  Scott Garvey photo

Short-line manufacturers face obstacles

Copyright laws and digital lockouts prevent implement manufactures from connecting to the electronics of OEM systems

Not that many years ago, getting an implement or attachment to work with a tractor or other major brand machine usually just meant putting compatible ends on hydraulic hoses. However, as technology has advanced, access to and interoperability with the machine’s digital system has become the key consideration — and now stumbling block in some […] Read more

Digital agriculture is the use of devices such as computers, sensors and satellites to gather, process and analyze spatial and temporal information. | Screencap via deere.com

What will it take to realize the promise of digital agriculture?

Canada is positioned to lead in this technology sector but is hampered by scattered funding and information sources

Digital agriculture can help Canada’s farms manage the increasing pressure to produce food, minimize environmental impact and provide a living for farmers, but only if scattered research dollars and talent are brought together. “We need to do a lot better if we want a food system that is more productive, that is more sustainable, and […] Read more


As digital ag tools become simpler to use, more reliable and integrated into equipment, more farmers are using them to increase their profitability.  |  Gord Gilmour photo

Digital ag delivers, but barriers remain

Dave Hewlitt’s only regret in jumping into the evolving field of farm data is that he hesitated first. “I felt maybe it was going to take a lot of time and that the benefits would be hard to see,” the Eston, Sask., producer said. “So, I maybe dragged my feet a little more than I […] Read more

Regan Ferguson of Melfort, Sask., explains her and husband Mike's decision to buy a Climate FieldView digital agriculture platform. Bonnie Mandziak moderated the roundtable held at Ag in Motion July 18. | Jeff Melchior photo

VIDEO: Find a purpose, then buy tech, says Sask. grower

Investing in digital agriculture can be a daunting experience. A producer’s best bet, says a northeastern Saskatchewan farmer, is to do your homework and find a purpose for it on your farm. “You have got to have the root purpose of why you got that technology. Either that or you talk to others to help […] Read more