The MobiLab requires precise but not difficult sample preparation and processing.

iMetos releases its newest version of MobiLab

A fast, easy-to-use, portable soil lab that measures nutrients from soil and plant sap

To maximize crop yields depends on optimizing nutrient management: applying the right product at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place. Since no field is perfectly consistent, the challenge lies in figuring out what precise nutrients are needed where. Enter MobiLab, an easy-to-operate, portable lab that produces on-farm, lab-quality, soil […] Read more



Electric loaders and trucks are being used in feeding equipment.

Manufacturers feature crimpers and electric feeders

Electric power silage carts and feeder trucks in Europe

As well as robotic feeding systems, visitors to recent EuroTier trade shows learned about the developments in electric-powered ration feeders and the increased popularity of crimping grain. German manufacturer Siloking has several self-propelled diet feeders including one that focuses on using renewable energy to power itself. The eSilokamm machine comes complete with a cab offering […] Read more

Goodyear Super Single Low Sidewall technology tires on a John Deere 8R series tractor. With this tire setup, total contact area is increased to 3,644 inches from 2,368 inches, which means healthier soil from a compaction standpoint.

John Deere offers Goodyear Super Single LSW tires on 8R series tractors

The setup helps reduce soil compaction and increase yield

Titan International, manufacturer of Titan Tires, Titan Wheels, Goodyear Farm Tires and John Deere have teamed up to offer Goodyear Super Single Low Sidewall (LSW) technology tires on another series of MFWD tractors. The tires can be ordered with John Deere’s 6000, 7000 and 9000 series MFWD tractors and its self-propelled sprayers and combines. Starting […] Read more


Fendt continues to develop the 65-horsepower e100 electric drive concept tractor.

Development of Fendt’s e100 electric tractor continues

Fendt’s pursuit of electric drive concepts goes back about a decade

Last October, AGCO’s Fendt brand announced that its engineers were still working on the e100 concept electric tractor it debuted in 2017. It’s apparently a promising design making measurable progress toward possible future commercialization. “The current development status of the Fendt e100 Vario compact tractor is encouraging and promises high efficiency with a careful use […] Read more

The U-Trough auger is new from Brandt and is designed primarily for loading trucks from hopper-bottom bins.

Brandt introduces its U-Trough auger

U-shaped auger barrel improves capacity

Regina-based Brandt has recently introduced a completely new auger design to its grain-handling product line. The company claims its new U-Trough auger offers increased capacity over conventional, round-barrel augers and minimizes kernel damage. “The U-trough auger design has been around for a long time, mostly on commercial applications, but not really at the farm-gate level,” […] Read more


The Precision Disk 500 series air drill is now available with a single rank design, using 15-inch row spacings.

New equipment from Case IH

Updated big square baler and new seeding options introduced

Despite the recent difficulties and disruptions in production caused by COVID-19 at all equipment manufacturers, CNH’s two brands, New Holland and Case IH, had several new or updated machines to debut this past year. Among those introduced wearing Case IH red are an addition to that brand’s large square baler line along with new drill […] Read more

Use of land-rolling technology varies regionally and by crop. The vast majority of farmers in central Alberta, despite not growing soybeans, do roll their land. Rolling is much less common in more northern growing regions of the Prairies.

Ten land roller use benefits for soybean and other crops

Farmers claim many advantages, use rollers on wheat and corn

Twenty years ago, rocks, clods and root balls were a frustrating and unavoidable part of soybean production. Today, somewhere in the range of 90 per cent of Canadian Prairie soybean growers depend on land rollers — a low-tech but highly effective technology — to smooth their land, improve crop emergence speed and uniformity, preserve their […] Read more


The XT series uses a unique, corner-mount auger design that delivers more than eight feet of forward auger reach, more than 15 feet of side auger reach and more than 13 feet of discharge spout clearance.

Brandt rolls out XT series grain carts

An updated tank design and new auger configuration offer performance benefits

Last fall, the Brandt Group of Companies announced the addition of its new XT series grain carts to its established grain handling lineup. The new carts offer an updated tank design and new auger configuration to deliver significant performance benefits over other products currently on the market, according to the company. “The XT series offers […] Read more

These farms have lots of items, all of which are depreciating. In addition, most items will be sitting idle for most of the year and not generating any profit for the farm.

Do you really need all that machinery on your farm?

Hidden profit robbers, Part 3: Unused machinery, too much diversification could be affecting your profitability

In this series of articles, I looked at various profit robbers on the farm and how to address them. In Part 1, I examined the biggest offender — machinery depreciation — and how sneaky it is, since it’s a hidden cost that doesn’t affect your cash flow. To minimize this cost, I suggested you consider […] Read more