Ford and drone developer DJI are looking to integrate UAV control into a pickup’s digital system for a variety of future applications, including agriculture.

A Ford F150 sync’d to your UAV?

Ford issues a new “Drone-to-vehicle developer challenge” to software engineers

James Bond has his special Aston Martin car complete with ejection seat and all kinds of high-tech gizmos. If Ford has its way, farmers may soon have an F150 pickup at their disposal that would make Q, Bond’s car creator, proud. Ford has been working with drone developer DJI and the two companies have launched […] Read more


(RBAuction.com)

Ritchie Bros. buys Mascus online equipment sites

The Canadian operators of the world’s biggest equipment auctioneer have bought worldwide online equipment listing service Mascus. Burnaby, B.C.-based Ritchie Bros. announced Friday it has bought 100 per cent of the equity in Amsterdam-based Mascus for 24 million euros (C$36.8 million), plus up to 3.4 million euros (C$5.2 million) more, pending certain performance targets being […] Read more

Chevron’s new Delo 15W-30 diesel engine oil is designed for “severe duty” applications, and offers a potential fuel economy improvement.

New 15W-30 oil may offer benefits in ag applications

Chevron introduces a “severe duty” oil for diesel engines

Most of the farm machines at work this summer likely have 15W-40 oil sloshing around in their engine crankcases. That’s been the standard summer oil for some time. But in April Chevron introduced a new lighter-weight, conventional oil that can replace 15W-40 in many applications. And according to Harry Hazen, North American marketing manager for […] Read more


Is synthetic engine oil worth the extra cost?

Most Prairie retailers say they see a surge in demand for synthetic engine oils in the fall, at a time when producers are preparing tractors and equipment for cold weather operation through the winter. “That is a very smart thing to do in a cold environment,” says Harry Hazen, North American marketing manager for Chevron. […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Cargill to supply Alberta carcass data to BIXS

One of Canada’s biggest beef packers is set to supply the specs on beef carcasses processed at its Alberta plant to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) BIXS information-sharing system. Cargill and BIXSCo, the CCA-backed operators of BIXS (Beef InfoXchange System), announced Thursday that the multinational agrifood firm will provide its past three years of beef […] Read more


(Gov.sk.ca)

Saskatchewan to halt winter weights early in southwest

Weight allowances that let heavier grain trucks roll on more southwestern Saskatchewan highways over the winter will end a week early, thanks to recent mild weather. The province’s highways ministry announced Friday it will remove the winter weight allowances on secondary-weight highways in the southwest region effective Monday (Feb. 22). “While frozen roads provide a […] Read more

(PortoDoItaqui.ma.gov.br)

Smaller vessels bump up ocean freight index

Reuters — The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, marginally rose on Friday on improved rates for smaller vessels. The overall Baltic Dry Index (BDI), which gauges the cost of shipping resources including iron ore, cement, grain, coal and fertilizer, rose for the sixth consecutive session by […] Read more


John Deere now offers the 500D  line of Draper headers for its W235   and W260 windrowers.

New headers from Deere and AGCO

New swather and combine headers for small grains producers

Purchasers of a John Deere W235 or W260 self-propelled windrower can now choose to mate their machine with a new line of Draper headers for small grains crops. The green brand just introduced the 500D Series header line, which includes three sizes: 25, 30 and 36 feet. The 500D headers use a quick-change system that […] Read more

Horsch Maestro planters will be available in 40- and 60-foot versions 
in 2016.

Horsch offers 2nd Maestro toolbar

The brand adds a smaller 40-foot version along with software updates for 2016

Horsch has been selling its 60-foot Maestro planter for a while now. However, the company says it noticed there was significant demand from producers for a smaller version. So, this fall it introduced a second Maestro with a 40-foot working width. “When we introduced the planter, we introduced it with a 60-foot toolbar, a 24-row, […] Read more