Articles by Jeff Melchior

Need for speed driving popularity of high-speed disks

HSDs help make tillage operations go faster in a world where time is of the essence

By Jeff Melchior November 30, 2020

Ask a group of experts what producers are looking for in new tillage equipment today and the most common answer will likely be “speed.” In this case, that means the ability to get tillage operations finished quickly with as few passes as possible. But speed only tells part of the story. The bigger picture behind […] Read more

“For a long time, producers have been using automation and ECUs to control their application pieces. We’re starting to see that come into the tillage units now.” – Kris Wright.

Machinery & Shop

Seedbed-sensing system optimizes tillage tool operation

Case IH’s Soil Command brings remote-sensing tech to the world of tillage

By Jeff Melchior October 27, 2020

Remote sensing has become part of the furniture on a great deal of farm equipment over the past several years. Whether used for data collection, feedback or variable-rate functions, the tech has become almost synonymous for precision agriculture. Why it matters: The seedbed-sensing system delivers real-time feedback from shank-mounted sensors to the tractor cab, informing […] Read more

Machinery & Shop

How to get the best results from your tillage tools

Farm equipment leaders from Case IH, Lemken and Salford Group offer their top tips on diagnosing and removing compaction areas and tillage tool efficiency

By Jeff Melchior October 27, 2020

What do agronomists and equipment companies have in common? At one time or another, both talk to producers about how to improve production on their farms. Use the correct tillage tools and make the appropriate adjustments to them to ensure you’re getting the best results. Agronomists do this because, well, that’s their explicit job description. […] Read more

Crops

Four steps for better seeding this spring

By Jeff Melchior April 24, 2018

It’s an age-old conundrum: You need to expand so you acquire more acres of land to get more return, but then the rush to get a crop in means seeding some acres too early, too late, or too fast. “There’s a lot of potential for making a mistake when it comes to seeding,” said Harry […] Read more

Features

A study from Alberta’s AgTech Centre calculated the true cost of overlap. The conclusion is that you can’t afford to be without GPS guidance

By Jeff Melchior April 20, 2009

Table 1 -Seeding Input Costs -160 acres Type of crop Canola Durum Feed Barley Cost of Equipment per acre 19.59 19.59 19.59 Cost of Seed per acre 27.25 18.87 9.9 Nitrogen 27.5 27.5 27.5 Phos Sulphur + others 3.9 0 0 Total Cost per Acre 86.44 78.26 69.29 Table 2 -Amount of Overlap Overlap (ft) […] Read more

Alberta’s Lakeland to offer ag tech degree

Funds’ net long position edges lower in canola

Prairie cash wheat: Bids track rally in U.S. futures

GFM Network News

Alberta’s Lakeland to offer ag tech degree

Funds’ net long position edges lower in canola

Prairie cash wheat: Bids track rally in U.S. futures

Author Archives Jeff Melchior

Need for speed driving popularity of high-speed disks

Seedbed-sensing system optimizes tillage tool operation

How to get the best results from your tillage tools

Four steps for better seeding this spring

A study from Alberta’s AgTech Centre calculated the true cost of overlap. The conclusion is that you can’t afford to be without GPS guidance

Grainews blogs

Nutrient Management Seminar series continues

Podcasts

Rural internet inadequacies, underground enemies, rodeo rider interrupted, canola markets ignite

Special Podcast Series

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending January 15, 2021.