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Machinery

Wheat leaf rust. (James Kolmer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)
Crops, Machinery

Digital supercluster backs precision fungicide development

Project aims at wheat leaf rust, reducing pesticide load

By
A West Coast ag tech company in the crop pest control business is setting its sights on wheat leaf rust, with support from one of Canada’s five research superclusters — but not the cluster you might expect. Out of the five federally-supported superclusters launched in early 2018, Protein Industries Canada has been most closely linked […] Read more
5G could be a game changer for farmers
Machinery

5G could be a game changer for farmers

Improved access to rural broadband could reduce costs and increase productivity

By
Bill Campbell still does yield mapping with a pen and paper. The principal operator of Campbell Land and Cattle would like to use precision agriculture to monitor moisture levels, make decisions about inputs and improve yields on his fields of wheat, barley, oats, canola, flax, corn and pulses but broadband access on his Minto, Manitoba, […] Read more
The range and quality of data and information coming from machines continues to improve and offer value to producers, according to John Deere.
Machinery

Telematics offers value to owners: Deere

AI and machine learning will improve data quality, reduce downtime

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As time goes by, the usefulness of the wireless digital technology built into today’s farm machinery is becoming increasingly apparent to producers, according to Ed Olson, senior product lead for JD Link strategy, at John Deere. “Some of the tools are maturing to the point that the value is pretty obvious,” he said when speaking […] Read more
Agco plans to have its IdealDrive joysticks in North American fields in 2021. (Photo courtesy Agco)
Crops, Machinery

Fendt takes (out) the wheel on new combines

Agco says it's first of majors to offer joystick steering

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Agco has officially declared itself to be the first major farm equipment player to put joystick steering in a combine. The ag equipment manufacturer unveiled IdealDrive on Thursday during the Commodity Classic in San Antonio, billing the new steering system for its Fendt Ideal combines as “the first joystick steering system on a combine from […] Read more
A YourLink tower outside Weyburn, Sask. (YourLink.ca)
General, Machinery

NYC equity firm to buy Xplornet

New investment expected to speed up rural broadband rollouts

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A Manhattan private equity firm deep in “middle-market infrastructure” has committed to buy, and help improve service from, Canada’s single biggest rural broadband provider. New Brunswick-based, privately held Xplornet Communications announced Thursday it has signed a deal to sell majority control itself to Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners. The two companies’ announcement didn’t put a dollar figure […] Read more
At the top end of Case IH’s tractor family is the articulated line of Steigers. Wheeled versions span the 370 to 620 engine horsepower range. The five Quadtrac models start at 470 horsepower and the three Rowtrac models go from 420 to 500 horsepower. The Steigers offer both powershift and the brand’s CVXDrive CVT transmissions. The high-horsepower, MFWD Magnums, though, were where the brand had news to reveal this year. They were given a new look along with a host of digital features and named the AFS Connect Magnums, referencing the brand’s existing telematics products. The new body styling looks similar to the autonomous tractor Case IH revealed back in 2016. The reason for that, claims the brand, is because these models represent the next generation of technology packed into a tractor as the industry gradually moves toward full autonomy. It pulls together a lot of new systems to allow the Magnums to communicate and stay connected in the field. The new Pro 1200 monitor in the cab expands on the functions of the previous Pro 700. In fact, most of the tractor systems can be controlled through it, and it makes guidance inputs much simpler. The software that runs the Pro 1200 is based on the same Android technology most people are familiar with in their mobile devices. Inside the cab is a new control layout, but the new AFS Connect Magnum versions will have two or three ways to activate tractor systems. Those who are familiar with manual controls on the armrest will still find them there, although some will be in different locations. Virtually everything can be controlled through the Pro 1200 monitor. Guidance is run through a new receiver that incorporates all the necessary guidance correction hardware into it, eliminating the need for a second computer inside the cab to facilitate corrections. The new technology allows for improved mechanical diagnostics and wireless transfer of data, including GPS guidance lines. The digital features built into the AFS Connect Magnums won’t remain unique to model year 2020 tractors; the technology is partly backwards compatible. So it can be retrofitted onto existing late model Magnums as well. It’s compatible with everything back to the Tier 3 time period. When it comes to the tractor itself, the new hood and cab styling are designed to make operation easier and the operator more comfortable. Slimmer cab pillars and a new, brighter interior colour along with more creature comforts give the new cab an updated feel. There is better storage and more visibility out of it, as well as a larger door that opens up the fill width of the cab, eliminating the B pillar and making entry easier. To smooth out the ride there is a new adjustable front axle suspension, which is controlled through the monitor. Paired with it is a semi-active cab suspension. In August the brand bumped up the maximum horsepower rating for the line, adding a 400 horsepower version of the AFS Connect Magnum.
Machinery

PHOTOS: High horsepower tractor guide

A round-up of the biggest tractors available on the North American market

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It’s been suggested by industry insiders that 2019 could be called the year of the tractor, because there were so many new introductions of them. That means even more choices for producers looking to re-power their farm fleet. Kubota, which has been gradually working its way into the mainstream agriculture sector with a steady stream […] Read more
David Kayi, a Hello Tractor engineer, installs an application on a John Deere 5503 tractor, using the Hello Tractor technology that connects farmers with vehicles’ owners, at a hay farm at Umande village in Nanyuki, Kenya on Feb. 4, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Njeri Mwangi)
Crops, Machinery, Markets, Reuters

Deere taps tractor-hailing tech in bid to break ground in Africa

Low incomes, lack of credit hobble African mechanization

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Nanyuki, Kenya/Johannesburg | Reuters — It’s ride-hailing, farm style. Deere and Co. is teaming up with the “Uber of tractors” in Africa and betting on a future where farmers summon machines with the touch of a button. The world’s leading farm equipment maker is outfitting its tractors with startup Hello Tractor’s technology, which allows farmers […] Read more
(PrecisionLandSolutions.com)
Crops, Machinery, Weather

Tile drainpipe supplier AccuPipe changes hands

Pipe manufacturer back with previous Manitoba owner

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Winkler drain tile manufacturer AccuPipe is back with its previous owners after a six-year stint under U.S. management. Precision Land Solutions (PLS) announced Friday it has bought the AccuPipe business — which makes HDPE tubing for the farm, commercial and construction tile drainage markets — from Minnesota-based manufacturer Prinsco for an undisclosed sum. AccuPipe had […] Read more
Left: My father bought this 21A Massey in 1948. Right: We purchased this 27 Massey in 1951. We attached a baler to the back. I used this machine for custom combining.
Machinery

My Massey combines from 1948 to 1991

Massey combines served David Thompson well. Here is his story

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Les Henry has written about the combines he’s operated. Les started with his Dad’s Oliver 30 pull type. I never operated a pull type. I started with a 21A Massey self-propelled. Les claims this combine was a Cadillac compared to his Dad’s Oliver. My Dad bought the 21A Massey combine in 1948. He paid $3,200 […] Read more


Machinery

Väderstad introduces central-fill functionality

Väderstad’s new Tempo L planters come with central-fill functionality

By
The company is excited about the launch of central-fill functionality, as it will further increase the capacity of its Tempo L range of planters. Instead of filling in each of the row units, central-fill functionality means growers will only have to fill the 3,000-litre central seed hopper. Working as a pressurized system, seed is constantly […] Read more

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