Machinery & Production Tips

John Deere 5R tractors get upgrades for 2019

Green utility segment tractors continue to see more high-end options

By Scott Garvey June 21, 2019

Since John Deere introduced the 5 Series family of tractors several years ago, the number of available models has grown substantially, along with their options range and available level of sophistication. That’s no surprise. This horsepower class is the biggest seller in North America for most brands, and Deere has populated its line with tractors […] Read more

A green lentil crop in southeastern Saskatchewan on May 31, 2019. (Leeann Minogue photo)

General, Machinery, Markets

Farm equity growth slows in 2018

By MarketsFarm Team, GFM Network News June 21, 2019

MarketsFarm — Equity in Canada’s farm sector increased by 3.6 per cent in 2018, hitting $522.2 billion, according to a report Thursday from Statistics Canada. The growth was well below the 6.4 per cent increase reported the previous year, and continued a trend of slower growth since 2013. Realized net farm income was down by […] Read more

A 2017 Chevrolet Silverado pickup. (Media.gm.com)

General, Machinery, Reuters

Canada opens probe into GM pickups, SUVs over brake performance

By Reuters, GFM Network News June 20, 2019

Reuters — Transport Canada, the auto safety regulator, has opened a probe into braking issues in nearly 250,000 General Motors full-size pickups and SUVs after U.S. officials launched a similar probe last year, the agency said on its website. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in November into 2.73 million U.S. 2014-2016 model […] Read more

Federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on April 10, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Chris Wattie)

General, Machinery, Weather

Tories’ climate plan focused on green investment

By GFM Network News June 20, 2019

The federal Conservatives’ proposed replacement for the Liberal government’s framework on climate change offers several shout-outs to farmers, in a document focused on green investment rather than current consumption patterns. The lead opposition party’s plan, launched Wednesday by leader Andrew Scheer, proposes to scrap the Trudeau government’s current carbon pricing plan, which imposes levies on […] Read more

Machinery, News

VIDEO: Antique tractors ‘trek’ for charity

By Scott Garvey June 19, 2019

Grainews machinery editor Scott Garvey talks with Earl Reimer of the Eden Foundation about its collaboration with Mennonite Heritage Village for Tractor Trek, an event involving over 40 antique tractors that hit the road on June 8 to raise money for charity. [VIDEO] eQuipTV: Manitoba Tractor Trek 2019 [VIDEO] equipTV: Tractor trekking ingenuity Video editing […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Markets, Weather

China, drought, debt shake Canadian farm finances

By Rod Nickel, GFM Network News June 19, 2019

Winnipeg/Ottawa | Reuters — For years, the financial stability of Canadian farmers was the envy of their U.S. counterparts, but rising costs, drought and a dispute with China have weakened their bottom lines. Net incomes plunged last year, and that setback was followed in March by China’s halting purchases of canola, Canada’s biggest crop. Now […] Read more

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Parliamentary Ag Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant, at right, visited the Carrefour Alimentaire Centre-Sud in Montreal on June 17, 2019 to formally launch the federal Food Policy for Canada. (Photo courtesy Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

General, Machinery, Markets

Federal food policy aims to lift local and Canadian-grown products

By GFM Network News June 18, 2019

Federal programs to boost the profile of domestic and locally grown foods at home while reducing food waste, food insecurity and deceptive food marketing are all up for funding under the government’s new Food Policy for Canada. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Parliamentary Ag Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant announced the new policy Monday in Montreal, following […] Read more

A federal ban on plastic bags won’t extend to bags such as these, shown here at a recycling depot, stewardship group Cleanfarms says. (CNW Group/Cleanfarms photo)

Crops, Machinery

Agricultural plastics not part of federal ban

By GFM Network News June 14, 2019

The federal government’s plan to halt Canada’s consumption of single-use plastics such as shopping bags, straws and stir sticks over the next couple of years won’t extend to farm chemical containers and grain bags. Cleanfarms, the national industry stewardship body operating waste management and recycling programs for agricultural packaging, said Thursday that plastic products such […] Read more

Bayer’s cross symbol hangs in a terminal at Frankfurt International Airport. (Typhoonski/iStock Editorial/Getty Images)

Crops, Machinery

Bayer to invest $7.5 billion in new herbicides

By Reuters, GFM Network News June 14, 2019

Berlin | Reuters — Bayer said it would invest five billion euros (C$7.5 billion) in developing new weedkillers and reducing its environmental impact by 30 per cent by 2030, as it seeks to address the fallout from U.S. class-action litigation over glyphosate. “While glyphosate will continue to play an important role in agriculture and in […] Read more

A new 12-ton spreader model from Loftness is
available in either a fertilizer or combined fertilizer- and lime-spreading version.

Machinery

New Loftness fertilizer spreaders

12-ton models designed for both fertilizer and lime

By Scott Garvey June 13, 2019

Loftness Specialized Equipment recently added two new 12-ton spreaders to its FertiLogix product line: the FB1210 and L1230. The L1230 is designed for both lime and fertilizer. Both are variable rate ready with hydraulically driven conveyors and spinners. Both models use dual stainless steel spinners that the brand claims produces a highly consistent spread pattern. […] Read more

Daily Network News

Transport, trade, labour top of mind for new Grain Growers of Canada executive director

Food and beverage sales growth, volume decline predicted for 2026

CBOT Weekly: USDA predicts declines in planting intentions