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Federal carbon tax rises despite opposition, pandemic

Ottawa not backing away from scheduled increases

Ottawa — The federal government has pushed ahead with an increase to the carbon tax despite continued calls from the agriculture sector for reprieve from the program. The price on carbon rose from $20 per tonne to $30 per tonne effective April 1. The federal Liberal government is standing firm on its commitment to increase […] Read more

The U-shaped DOT A-U1 “loads” a SeedMaster row-crop planter on to its platform during a demonstration at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September 2019. (Ralph Pearce photo)

U.S. firm buys remaining stake in DOT Technology

Majority owner Raven Industries buys full control

The U.S. precision ag manufacturer holding the controlling stake in a made-in-Canada self-guiding farm equipment platform has made a deal to buy up the balance. Raven Industries, which last November bought an undisclosed majority ownership share in DOT Technology — with an option to buy the remaining stake in the following 10 years — announced […] Read more


No farmworkers? No problem

No farmworkers? No problem

Autonomous equipment is making it easier for farmers to do more with less labour

Rob Saik believes farmers shouldn’t have to spend hours sitting in their tractors. “We have the most skilled operators trapped in a glass cage for days on end,” he says. Saik, CEO of DOT Technology Corporation, is at the forefront of the movement toward autonomous tractors. The Regina-based startup created a U-shaped platform that attaches […] Read more

“Inutitu” digital system from Nokian Heavy Tyres of Finland allows data from sensors in ag tires to relay real-time data to a smartphone app.

Now it’s “smart” tires?

Nokian Heavy Tyres adds digital tech to its Intuitu tractor tires

With the dashboards on modern pickup trucks displaying real-time tire inflation pressures, we’re used to the idea of getting that kind of data in a vehicle. But Nokian Heavy Tyres of Finland has taken that idea one step further with its Intuitu system, calling it the “first step towards digital, real-time tire management.” Rather than […] Read more


Riding Mountain National Park in western Manitoba. (Mysticenergy/E+/Getty Images)

Manitoba eases load limits for grains, livestock, vegetables, fertilizer

'Essential' commodities allowed at normal axle weights on more roads

Springtime load limits on certain Manitoba highways will be lifted early this year for transport of crops, livestock, fertilizer and other “essential” goods. Provincial Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced Tuesday that certain essential goods may be trucked at “normal loading” axle weights on highways usually subject to Level 1 road restrictions during spring thaw. Essential […] Read more

Chevrolet’s 2020 Corvette Stingray could be described as a supercar for the masses.

Corvette goes mid-engine

Toyapalooza: The iconic model gets a supercar design makeover

Ever dream of owning one of those classic mid-engine supercars like a Ferrari or Lamborghini? Typically cars of that ilk have a price point that means the closest most of us could ever come to owning one is having a poster image of it on the wall in the workshop. GM, however, has just created […] Read more


A small room off the milkhouse, encompassing the front of the tank, helps to limit contact with the milk truck driver at the Herrema farm at Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto. (Gerrit Herrema photo)

Dairy sector shuts down most visits from off-farm providers

In agriculture, dairy farms are among those most called-on by outside services

New additions to Gerrit Herrema’s dairy barn have made it easier for his family to abide by recent directions to avoid contact with milk truck drivers to reduce COVID-19’s spread. “We have boot washes and other biosecurity measures in the barn. We need to take these measures in order to minimize the damage,” said Herrema, […] Read more

(Canada Border Services Agency video screengrab)

Cross-border truckers exempt from mandatory isolation

TFWs coming to Canada won't be exempt from new rule

Truckers and others who are still allowed to cross into Canada on essential business are exempt from a new two-week self-isolation rule for people arriving in the country. Health Minister Patty Hajdu on Wednesday announced an emergency order under the federal Quarantine Act, requiring anyone who’s entering Canada by land, air or sea to self-isolate […] Read more


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‘Essential’ travel rule fuzzy on farmers picking up parts, inputs

U.S. border officers will have final say on Canadian farmers' cross-border business trips

Whether Canadian farmers can continue to pick up machinery parts and other products for their operations in the United States is at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. At 11:59 p.m. ET Friday, Canada and the U.S. temporarily restricted non-essential travel between the two nations to try and slow the spread of […] Read more

Versatile offers more warranty

Versatile offers more warranty

The brand introduces a three-year, 3,000-hour warranty on all 2020 tractors

There is probably nothing more frustrating for farmers than buying a new machine, only to have it sitting dead in the field with a breakdown a few days or weeks after it starts work. Unfortunately, though, it’s something many have experienced. In recent years, almost all brands have ramped up quality control at the manufacturing […] Read more