Today I was expecting to write the usual wrap up report on this year’s Agritechnica; but as I sit in the press office at the Hanover Fair Grounds, I can’t help but think of the stark contrast that currently exits in two neighbouring countries because of last night’s events in Paris. Here in Germany, at […] Read more
Agritechnica wrap up
Father and son restore a classic Versatile tractor
An on-farm restoration brings a D-118 tractor back to nearly new condition
Darren Rigaux, who farms near Swan River, Manitoba, and his father, Eddy, have a long-term loyalty to the Versatile brand name. They’ve been using the red tractors on their farm for decades. A couple of years ago, they were inspired to find and restore an old Versatile tractor. Darren emailed to tell us about it. […] Read more
Agritechnica at the midway mark
The world’s largest agricultural machinery expo just clicked past the half-way point here in Hanover Germany, and so far the attendance counter is already north of 175,000 visitors. That’s easily more than all the significant regional farm shows in Canada tally up in an entire season. And the higher attendance days typically happen toward the […] Read more
NH introduces the L228 skid steer
New 74 horsepower model pushes the L Series range to seven models
Unlike the policies at some other major brands, New Holland dealers have been allowed to retail the company’s line of light construction equipment right alongside ag machines for a while now. Marketing of both the company’s ag and construction lines are now integrated in North America. That integration means construction products like NH’s line of […] Read more
Deere utility tractors get more updates
The green brand tweaks its 5 Series tractors again
With utility tractor sales in North America being one of the bright spots in the current new equipment market, John Deere’s 5 Series tractors are poised to become even more competitive. The brand rejigged its 5085E and 5100E tractors — with 85 and 100 engine horsepower, respectively — making them a little more operator friendly. […] Read more
If it’s Monday, this must be Hanover
Back in 1969 a Hollywood movie debuted, titled “If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium”. I can remember seeing it in the theatre as a kid. Why do I mention that? Well, the movie was about a bunch of tourists taking a hectic bus trip across Europe. All of them were from different countries and […] Read more
These Utes are real road warriors
The tough, left-drive trucks driven by Aussies bring to mind those crazy Mad Max vehicles
The most obvious difference between road travel in Canada and Australia, is those blokes down under insist on driving on the wrong side of the centre line. A feat that requires a little concentration the first time you try it — if you’re used to Canadian highways. Australian farmers who’ve learned to adeptly shift gears […] Read more
PHOTOS: Getting around in Australia
Scott Garvey's recent trip down under gave him a chance to see how some Aussie farmers travel
Australian farmers who’ve learned to adeptly shift gears with their left hand have the same basic needs as Canadian farmers when it comes to getting around. They need a pickup to use on the farm and to get them to town, and they need heavy trucks to haul livestock and grain. But from there, things […] Read more
New Holland debuts new Prairie combines
New small-grains rotary and conventional combines are built for the Western Canadian market
Major-brand manufacturers don’t often debut new machines at Canadian farm shows. But New Holland has chosen to introduce new combines at Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina a couple of times now, which, according to executives, is an indication of how much attention they are paying to the small-grains harvesting market unique to Western Canada and […] Read more
It’s show time
The bi-annual flood of press releases from equipment companies proudly announcing their new ideas for farm machines, some market ready, some not, are starting to fill my email inbox. Why the sudden influx? Simple. Agritechnica, the world’s largest farm machinery show, will kick off in Hannover Germany in a couple of weeks. Agritechnica, which is […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
