Agco-Deere patent dispute ends

In January a U.S. federal appeals court dismissed an appeal by John Deere of a patent infringement case against Agco. In July 2022 a Delaware jury concluded Precision Planting’s SpeedTube-vSet2 product, a high-speed planting system, did not infringe on Deere’s intellectual property. Precision Planting is an Agco brand. Agco said in a statement it’s “pleased […] Read more

Special-edition Cats

Special-edition Cats

At the end of January, in honour of its 100th anniversary, Caterpillar announced the availability of limited-edition machines through select Cat dealers around the world, including here in Canada. The limited edition models feature a custom “Centennial Grey” paint scheme to recognize the original colour of Caterpillar’s first products. The models will also include special […] Read more


Ram and Leon Manufacturing made hydraulic cylinders and agricultural equipment, respectively. The family owned companies were both in business for more than 50 years but began having cash flow problems several years ago. Photo: Screencap via archive.org

Buyer found for bankrupt Ram Industries assets

The Yorkton, Sask. company, along with Leon Manufacturing, went into receivership last year after more than 50 years in business

The company was placed in receivership last June, ordered bankrupt in late January and on Feb. 27 the Court of King's Bench approved the sale to 102203996 Saskatchewan Ltd. for an undisclosed price.

Trevor Thiessen of Redekop Manufacturing explains the company’s straw chopper to a farmer from Oregon at the Commodity Classic in Denver, Colorado, March 4. Redekop and other Canadian manufacturers are adjusting to 25 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the United States. | Robert Arnason photo

Prairie equipment manufacturers adjust to tariffs

Some ag equipment makers moved U.S.-bound machines south before tariffs were imposed

In 2023, Saskatchewan exported about $834 million worth of agricultural equipment to the United States. A portion of those exports were straw choppers and weed seed control units, manufactured by Redekop at its plant near Saskatoon.



Local sales in ag equipment buck national market trends

Evidence at Crop Production Show suggests demand beyond the data

Even on a largely underperforming harvest outcome, optimism was still present in the majority of the crowd at this year’s Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. It seemed fitting to have the two largest pieces of equipment at the show a couple of booths down from each other. Capacity, horsepower and efficiency have been the focal […] Read more


Never mind the increased demand for horsepower from new tractors — smart-farming tech has increased the demand for power within the cab.

Power requirements in the modern tractor cab

Charging ports off an aftermarket inverter draw about 20 watts per device

With modern technology comes modern problems. As more technology is integrated into seeding equipment, more devices require a power source — and in some operations, this may exceed the output of the 12-volt tractor system. The technology in modern seeding equipment has changed from the days of the on/off and up/down switch of early drills. […] Read more

scott garvey, welding

Is this $120 welder worth the money?

Reviewing the Mastercraft Extreme-80 120-volt arc welder from Canadian Tire

A quick online search will show there are more than a few cheap welders out there; most, of course, originate in Asia. Some claim to have some reasonably good features. But even at a low cost, are they worth the money? Is it worth it to take a chance on a no-name, low-cost model? A […] Read more


A view of what’s now the AgWest shop at Weyburn, Sask.

AgWest expands westward

Two Saskatchewan sites join the Agco dealership group

During Ag Days last month in Brandon, farm equipment dealer chain AgWest announced it’s making its first move into Saskatchewan, buying the Yorkton and Weyburn locations of another Agco dealer, Agriterra Equipment. “This is a natural extension of our current presence in Elie, Neepawa, Brandon, Russell and the Swan River region in Manitoba,” AgWest’s CEO […] Read more

Unverferth has released its 2520 grain cart, which has a 2,500-bushel capacity.

New 2,500-bushel grain cart from Unverferth

The new unit offers more capacity and sophisticated data gathering via new digital features

Unverferth has just introduced the new model 2520 grain cart, which pushes at the upper capacity limits of its cart line with a 2,500-bushel load rating. It’s the biggest cart the brand has ever built. Getting grain out of the cart won’t take more than about two and a half minutes with the cart’s pivoting […] Read more