U.S. government economic aggression and unpredictability resulted in significant trade disputes that severely affected overall global trade and corporate profits across the ag equipment sector.

The imposition of countervailing tariffs on U.S. soybean sales caused a major income loss for U.S. farmers.

Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola in response to our country’s agreement to follow the United States and apply tariffs on electric vehicles pressured some farm incomes here.

Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada, which represents Canadian ag equipment manufacturers, estimates the sector saw a 30 per cent sales decline over 2025 as a result.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, which tracks tractor and combine sales, shows sales were down in both the U.S. and Canada.

In two-wheel drive tractors above 100 horsepower, the U.S saw an overall decline of 22.6 per cent for the year. Four-wheel drive tractor sales declined 41.6 per cent and combine sales fell 35.6 per cent.

The picture in Canada was a little brighter, but there were still declines in tractor sales — 100-plus horsepower tractor purchases fell 12.1 per cent and four-wheel drives 23 per cent. However, combines grew about three per cent.

All of this happened as the ag equipment industry was already near the bottom of a demand cycle with slow sales going into 2025.

With Chinese tariffs on canola returning to more normal levels, Canadian farm income is likely to improve in 2026, assuming weather events aren’t a factor.

In the U.S., the government has promised a second bailout to mitigate reduced incomes from trade disruptions caused by the Trump administration. As a result, there is some optimism for improving sales conditions in 2026.

However, as the U.S. administration remains aggressive in its posture toward imposing sanctions and tariffs on an apparent whim, as well as threatening military actions toward former allies, it’s anyone’s guess how the gross domestic product of western nations will be affected, as well as farm incomes.

It is clear, however, that ag machinery brands will continue to face reduced margins in 2026. John Deere, for example, estimated in mid-year 2025 that tariff costs to its manufacturing that fiscal year would amount to about US$600 million. It expects the problem to continue into 2026.

All brands in the machinery and automotive sectors are facing similar cost increases.

A statement from AEM said tariffs on steel and aluminum alone would impact manufacturing costs for brands by about seven per cent. That almost certainly means farmers will face higher sticker prices on future machinery purchases.

Highlights by brand

Case IH

In August 2025, another, bigger Steiger, the Steiger 785 Quadtrac, debuted, with 853 peak engine horsepower, making it the most powerful model Case IH has yet offered.

The only other tractor introductions from the brand in 2025 were updates to the Farmall utility class, including models below 150 h.p. such as the Farmall 120C.

MTZ

MTZ’s Kirovets K-744 continues to be available as a low-cost, alternative to more familiar high-horsepower tractors, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Parts and tractor availability remains good, according to the Canadian distributor, even though MTZ tractors are built in Belarus and the Kirovets in Russia.

The brand also expects to soon begin production of three larger M8 models offering up to 620 h.p. There are no specification updates to the K-744 for 2025.

JCB

With 284 and 335 peak horsepower FPT diesel engines mated to ZF 3.1 four-range, step-less transmissions, two new 6000 Series JCB models (Fastrac 6300 and 6260) fit in between the brand’s exiting 4000 and 8000 Series lines, bringing the total number of JCB Fastracs to seven.

Claas

Claas’s Axion 900 Series tractor line was first introduced to Canada in 2019, joining the two-model Xerion line of unique four-wheel drive tractors the brand had been offering.

In 2022, the Axion 960TT Terra Trac half-track tractor joined the Canadian lineup. The latest offering from the brand is the 12 Series, Xerion 12.650, which were first introduced in 2023. The basic tractor specifications for high-horsepower models carry forward for 2026.

New Holland

New Holland showcased new models in 2023. Most notably, it pushed the horsepower limits of the T9 Series, boosting the flagship model T9.700 to 645 rated engine h.p.

The T9 SmarTrax versions were announced in early 2024 for the 2025 model year. T8 Series tractors got a five to 15 h.p. boost for 2025. The model specifications carry over to 2026.

John Deere

John Deere made headlines in 2024 with the introduction of the largest production tractors on the market, the articulated 9RX 710, 9RX 770 and 9RX 830, pushing rated engine h.p. to 830 in the flagship model. Last year was the first full production year for them.

Versatile

Versatile continues to offer the same high-horsepower model lineup for 2026 with some specification upgrades for the current model year, including the DeltaTrack 620DT and 620 4WD.

Fendt

Agco’s Fendt brand continues to grow market share across North America and represents the company’s premium equipment line. It offers both wheeled and two-track high-horsepower models.

PTx Trimble’s Outrun autonomous grain cart system is now compatible with the 1000 VARIO Series wheeled tractors such as the 1052 VARIO and 1167 VARIO MT.

Massey Ferguson

Over the past five years Agco has been updating the Massey Ferguson tractor line with the S Series models.

At Agritechnica 2023, it introduced the 9S Series, which pushed at the top end of the horsepower range previously offered in the Massey Ferguson brand.

In late 2024 the 9S Series debuted (including the 9S.425) in North America and replaced the 8700S models. They began arriving on dealers’ lots in 2025.

McCormick

The McCormick brand, now owned by Argo of Italy, has one model available in Canada that tops the 300 h.p. mark, the X8.680. This MFWD model sports some high-end options and is fully compatible with Isobus-controlled implements.

The company hasn’t announced any changes to the basic specifications for this model as we move into 2026.

Deutz-Fahr

Germany-based Deutz-Fahr continues to offer its 300 h.p. 9340TTV Agrotron tractor in Canada.

The low-revving Deutz diesel engine and a ZF-built CVT transmission remain the main driveline components for it for 2026. Basic specifications also carry over for current models.

In detail

Case IH

In early 2020, Case IH introduced the updated AFS Connect Steiger tractor line, which was given a refresh in 2023.

The 715 Quadtrac was added in 2023. It was the brand’s flagship model until 2025 when its larger brother, the 785, debuted. Both tractors are built on the same chassis, but the 785 was given some upgrades to handle the additional ponies under the hood.

Both get power from an FPT 16-litre two-stage turbo diesel, but on the 785, some internal components have been enhanced, such as fuel injectors, pistons, rings and some of the oil flow that feeds the cylinder walls.

The FPT diesel uses SCR emissions technology, requiring the use of DEF.

Channeling all that power to the track modules is the Steiger PS6 16F-2R power shift transmission, which is standard equipment across the Steiger high-horsepower line.

The 785 uses the same PS6 power shift transmission as all 595 models and larger do. However, there were some enhancements specifically for the 785, such as shot-peened gears for additional strength. All PS6 transmissions will get those upgrades starting in 2026.

The longer 264-inch track modules available in 30- or 36-inch widths on the 785 are the same as those that debuted on the 715.

A bigger drive sprocket spreads the turning force out over an extra tooth to extend the life of the track.

The larger drive sprocket also allows for a boost in maximum road speed from 25 m.p.h. (40 km-h) to 26.5 m.p.h. (42.5 km-h).

The 785’s hydraulic system is an upgrade from the Smart Torque version with which the Steigers have been equipped.

In February 2024, Case IH introduced the new Quadtrac Heavy-Duty Suspension (HDS) for Steigers.

The current AFS Connect Magnums were first introduced in 2019.

In February 2024, Case IH also unveiled its 2025 model year Magnum tractor line. And in keeping with the industry trend of horsepower creep up, those tractors also saw a horsepower boost.

The 380 and the 400 both were given five additional h.p., creating the 385 and 405. Everything else in the large frame, starting at 250 and larger, got 15 additional h.p.

The tractors get power from what the brand calls the Cursor 9-litre diesel, which, technically speaking, actually has an 8.7-litre displacement.

The 355 was given a new transmission, a 21F x 5R power shift, which was included in its base equipment list.

The new transmission offering will make the 355 compatible with future autonomous operating systems by simplifying what’s required to make that workable when Case IH eventually offers it.

Another significant change for the 2025 Magnums came in how the brand offers technology packages for them. Buyers can pick and chose their preferred individual features from two complete package options.

At the rear, the Magnums adopted the hydraulic coupler design used on their larger brothers in the Steiger line.

In 2021, the AFS Connect Optum line first debuted.

Two of the two AFS Connect Optum models are at or above the 300-horsepower mark, the model 300 and the 340, which was new for the 2024 model year. They use an FPT 6.7-litre diesel, which features a 50 km-h capable CVXDrive CVT transmission. It offers a little lower hydraulic flow rate, with a standard 43.5 g.p.m. (166 l/m), which can be upgraded to 58.9 g.p.m. (223 l/m).

The Optums pack more horsepower into a smaller package with a lighter footprint than an equivalent Magnum.

The 300 Optum weighs in on average with a standard front axle at 24,603 pounds (11,160 kilograms), compared to 28,800 lb. (13,082 kg) on the 310 Magnum.

MTZ

Arie Prilik, vice-president of MTZ Equipment, the North American distributor of MTZ and Kirovets tractors, said the tractors and replacement parts, which originate in Belarus and Russia, still enjoy good availability.

The brand’s current flagship model, the 435 h.p. Kirovets K-744 four-wheel drive tractor, gets its power from an OM 470 Mercedes diesel and routes it through the Power Quad 16 X 8 transmission.

The tractors use a Bosch hydraulic system capable of 74 g.p.m. (280 l/m) and provides four rear remotes. They also have a Category IV rear three-point hitch with a 9,000 kg lift capacity.

A dedicated hydraulic pump provides a 21 g.p.m. (79 l/m) flow to the tractor steering system, and they are auto-steer ready.

Unique to the North American tractor market is the old-school front leaf-spring axle suspension used by the K-744. The tractors also have a suspended cab for improved operator comfort.

The K-744s use an air brake system, getting pressure from a Bendix pump. It can also be used as external compressed air source. The tractors even include a 20-foot auxiliary air hose.

The brand will soon begin production of three new, larger articulated four-wheel drive M8 models offering 500, 550 and 620 h.p. Its introduction date isn’t yet established, but it’s expected to debut in 2025.

The brand emphasizes the tractors’ lower cost and simple design with the marketing tag line, “Simple, dependable, profitable.”

JCB

In late 2025, JCB introduced the two-model 6000 Series to its Fastrac line.

They offer 284 and 335 peak h.p. PFT diesel engines mated to ZF 3.1 four-range, step-less transmissions and fit in between the 4000 and 8000 lines, bringing the total number of Fastracs to seven.

Their 6.7-litre, six-cylinder FPT diesels deliver peak power at 1,850 r.p.m. The 6.7’s torque curve rises as the revs are drawn down, where it peaks at 940 foot-pounds at 1,400 r.p.m. on the 6260 and 1,023 foot-pounds on the 6300.

The two 6000 Series tractors have a top speed of 66 km-h, which also fits in between the 60 km-h and 70 km-h top speeds of the other two ranges.

The 6000 Series tractors use air brakes with externally mounted discs, which makes changing worn pads much simpler than on the inboard brakes used on many other tractors. The brakes use electronic ABS to avoid uncontrolled skidding on hard surface roads.

The tractors can be equipped with dual NovAtel GPS receivers that enable the high precision guidance to steer both axles.

All of that rides on a newly designed chassis, using a cast front section that houses the engine and front axle, as well as a fabricated steel structure for the rear half that carries the cab, transmission and rear axle.

The largest Fastrac, the 8330, offers 348 h.p. in a tractor that can hit 70 km-h (43 m.p.h.) on the road.

For safety, they use a dual-line hydrostatic steering system, and the Rapid Steer option reduces the number of steering wheel turns from lock to lock by 50 per cent to make field operations easier.

To bring the tractor safely to a stop, it uses external brakes on both axles and has an ABS system to help maintain steering control during hard braking.

The 8330 uses an 8.4-litre Agco Power diesel engine matched with an dual-range CVT transmission.

The 8330 auxiliary hydraulic flow rates hit 178 l/m (47 g.p.m.), with up to five rear and two forward remotes. Rear three-point hitch lift capacity is 10,000 kg, and the optional front linkage capacity is 3,500 kg.

The new 6000 Series tractors beat those hydraulic numbers with a standard 205 l/mn (54 g.p.m.) flow rate, or an optional 410 l/mn rate available in the larger 6300 model.

Claas

The Axion 900 iine includes three models above 300 h.p.: the 940, 950 and 960. There is also a variation on the 960, the 960 TT Terra Trac half-track tractor. Together, those models offer 334, 357 and 391 advertised power take-off h.p.

Under the hoods of all 900 Series models is an 8.7-litre, six-cylinder FPT diesel engine. Mated to that engine is a CMATIC four-range continuously variable transmission.

The brand has also been offering the unique rigid-frame four-wheel drive Xerions, which were originally only available in just two models: the 517 h.p. 5000 or 476 h.p. 4500. Both use a 12.8-litre Mercedes OM 471 LA diesel.

Behind the Mercedes diesel is a ZF-made CVT transmission, making them capable of travelling at 50 km-h, even in reverse.

In 2023, the Xerion line was expanded to include two new 12 Series models: the 12.650 and 12.590, which offer 650 and 590 h.p., respectively. They’re available in both wheeled and tracked versions.

Behind the 15.6-litre Mercedes diesels that produce peak torque at just 1,300 r.p.m. is a “purpose-built,” in-house design CMATIC Eccom 5.5 CVT transmission that offers the precise settings and easy speed adjustments typical of a CVT, and it can move the tractors down the road at 40 km-h on the Terra Trac versions and 50 km-h on the wheeled models.

The Terra Trac models use a unique track module, which was designed by Claas and Camso for the high-horsepower demands of the 12 Series.

The wheeled versions come with 42-inch, 800-70R42 duals, which Claas claims is the largest tire currently available in the industry for production high-horsepower ag tractors.

The newest Xerions can deliver a high hydraulic flow, which maxes out at a whopping 142 g.p.m. (537 l/m) with the optional three-pump system.

Four priority remotes can be used to keep essential systems such as air drill fans running at optimum speed. The base, single-pump hydraulic system delivers 58 g.p.m. (220 l/m).

The new Axion model 9.450, with several changes and a new model number designation format, debuted at Agritechnica last year year, but it is not yet available in North America. It won a Tractor of the Year award at that show. It is an entirely new design, according to the company.

New Holland

At the top of New Holland’s tractor line is the T9 with PLM Intelligence Series. The latest model of those four-wheel drive T9s introduced in August of 2023 pushed at the upper horsepower limits of the line.

The T9 SmarTrax versions were announced in early 2024 for the 2025 model year. The T9 Series now covers the 425 to 645 rated engine h.p. range.

Of the six models for 2024, the T9.470, T9.520 and T9.580’s 12.9 litre engines have been changed to an electronic variable geometry turbo (eVGT) to boost horsepower, improving fuel economy by two per cent. The three other models, which are wide-frame models (the T9.615, T9.655 and T9.700) also use the 12.9 diesel but sport two-stage turbocharging — fixed geometry, first stage and wastegate second stage.

Gross vehicle weight (GVW) has been increased across all six of the new T9 models: 56,000 lb. (25,401 kg) for the smallest three and up to 67,000 lb. (30,391 kg) for the T9.700.

Buyers get a choice of two transmissions for all but the top two models, which are only available with the Ultra Command 16 X 2 powershift. The others can be ordered with the optional Auto Command CVT as well.

Total T9 hydraulic flow rates can be boosted up to 113 g.p.m. (427 l/m). A large coupler is available for very high flow demands, and tractors can be equipped with up to eight remotes.

The remote valve controls on the Sidewinder Ultra armrest are customizable and can be arranged to control whichever remotes the operator prefers.

The Genesis T8 with PLM Intelligence series wheeled models (T8.320, T8.350, T8.380, T8.410, and T8.435) get five to 15 h.p. ratings boosts, with five models from 325 to 435. There are also the 410 and 435 horsepower T8.410 SmartTrax and T8.435 SmartTrax models.

Depending on the model, T8s offer a choice of an 18 X4, 19 X 4 or 21 X 5 Ultra Command full powershift transmission or the brand’s CVT. T8s have the 8.7-litre FPT Cursor 9 engine under their hoods.

Of course, just like the T9s, the T8s with PLM Intelligence offer the highest level of digital connectivity the brand has ever offered. PLM Intelligence allows for remote tractor diagnostics, remote viewing, data collection and sharing, among a host of other functions.

Two tractors in the T7 Series now break the 300 rated engine h.p. mark, the T7.315 and T7.340 Heavy Duty with PLM Intelligence models. Both use the 6.7-litre FPT engine mated to the brand’s 50 km-h-capable Auto Command CVT transmission.

John Deere

John Deere currently offers three tractor ranges with models rated above 300 engine h.p., three in the 7 Series offering 310 to 350 h.p. and 12 in the 8 Series, all of which use the brand’s 9-litre diesel.

The big news for Deere in 2024 was the introduction of the three very-high horsepower 9RX models that offer 710, 770 and 830 h.p., making them the largest production models currently available.

The articulated 9 Series tractors up to 640 h.p. get Deere’s 13.6-litre JD14X diesel under the hoods.

This engine produces 13.5 per cent more power than the 13.5-litre engine it replaced, takes up less real estate, runs significantly quieter and drinks seven per cent less fuel. That engine gets mated to the brand’s e18 (18F x 6R) 40 km-h-capable power shift transmission.

The three big new tractors get an all-new John Deere 18-litre engine mated to the e21 powerShift transmission.

Deere’s 8 Series tractors get the company’s nine-litre diesel for power. They use the brand’s Intelligent Power Management system to boost output by up to 35 h.p. during p.t.o. or transport work.

The 2023 model year introduced 410 h.p. 8R, 8RT and 8RX models with a step-less electric variable transmission (EVT). Deere says that design enables precise speed control and enhanced drivability. They’re also available with the e23 power shift.

The EVT uses electric motors instead of hydrostatic motors to improve transmission performance.

To the operator, it will feel much like an Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), only much quieter. Deere says it will provide better overall tractor control, along with easy serviceability and diagnostics

Other transmission options in the 8 Series include the brand’s 40- or 50-km-h capable IVT, as well as the e23 and 16-speed power shifts. The optional CommandPRO control is available on 8 Series tractors equipped with the EVT or IVT transmissions.

The three largest 7 Series models, the 7R 310, 330 and 350 also break the 300 h.p. mark. They use Deere’s 9.0-litre diesel as well, and the 330 and 350 are available with the choice of an e23 (23F x 11R) or IVT transmission.

Buyers of the 7R 350 will have to take the IVT because it’s the only option on that model.

In early 2025, Deere announced the next generation perception system, an autonomy precision upgrade kit for select tractor models that can bring autonomy to tillage work. This system is available as a precision upgrade for model year 2022 and newer 9R and 9RX tractors and model year 2020.5 and newer 8R and 8RX tractors.

Versatile

Winnipeg-based Versatile continues to offer six wheeled and three tracked DeltaTrack versions of its articulated four-wheel drive tractors: the 530DT, 580DT, and the 620DT.

The wheeled models (the 530, 580 and 620) span the 400 to 616 h.p. range, with the three smallest tractors getting power from an X12 Cummins, while the three largest tractors in the series, which includes the three DeltaTrack models, get an X15 Cummins.

Behind those Cummins diesels is a Caterpillar 16 X 4 powershift transmission. The X12 mates to the TA19 Caterpillar, and the X15 routes power through a larger TA22. All use the brand’s trademark outboard planetary final drives for ease of maintenance and durability.

Versatile four-wheel drives are equipped with a standard 59 g.p.m. (223 l/m) pump or an optional 112 g.p.m. (424 l/m) high flow hydraulic system. Six rear half-inch hydraulic remotes are standard with two additional, optional three-quarter inch types available. Flow rates can be varied through the in-cab monitor.

Two cab comfort packages are available, the Deluxe and Deluxe Pro, which includes upgrading the monitor from the standard 10-inch to a 12-inch. Three different lighting packages allow for upgrades from a 14 halogen package to 19 LED and two halogen with a total output of 47,500 lumens.

Farther down the horsepower line, three of the brand’s MFWD tractors top 300 h.p.: the 315, 335 and 365.

As Versatile’s long-standing exclusive engine supplier, there are Cummins engines under the hoods of these tractors, too — this time, a QSL9 mated to a 16 X 9 powershift for all five tractors in the series. All have a total hydraulic flow of 55 g.p.m. (208 l/m), or 72 g.p.m. (272 l/m) with the optional hi-flow hydraulic system.

Fendt

The current Fendt 900 Vario MT line of tracked tractors includes three models with 380 to 431 h.p.: the 938 Vario MT, 940 Vario MT and 943 Vario MT . They use a 9.8-litre, seven-cylinder diesel and offer up to 116 g.p.m. (439 L/mn) hydraulic flow.

The wheeled 900 Vario line includes five models topping out at 415 rated h.p. They get that power from a six-cylinder 9.0-litre diesel.

The 900 Vario models have an integrated tire pressure control system that is controlled through the touch screen. The intelligent VarioDrive system provides seamless speed control from creep all the way up to 33 m.p.h.

As well, there is no need to manually switch to all-wheel drive when it’s required. The system handles that automatically.

There are now four 1000 Vario Series models from 426 to 550 h.p.: the 1040 Vario, 1044 Vario, 1048 Vario and 1052 Vario. These tractors can now be unlocked from the factory to use with the PTx Trimble Outrun autonomous grain cart system.

The 1000 Series has a standard 58 g.p.m. (220 L/mn) hydraulic flow rate, but that can be upgraded to an optional 113.5 g.p.m. (430 L/mn).

A self-cleaning air filter system uses on-board compressed air to periodically blow out the filter, extending filter life by up to 15 times compared to standard intakes.

The wheeled 900 and 1000 Series tractors get power from six-cylinder MAN engines (a nine-litre in the 900 Series and a 12.4 in the 1000s).

Equipped with the Fendt iD low engine speed concept that works with the tractor management system (TMS) and Fendt’s signature VarioDrive continuously variable transmission, the tractors have a maximum engine operating speed of just 1,700 r.p.m. That, according to Fendt, means less fuel consumption and reduced wear on engine components.

The high-horsepower, two-track tractor designs originally introduced under the Challenger brand were made available to Canadian farmers wearing Fendt colours in 2020.

There are now four models, including the 1151, 1156, 1162, and 1167 in the 511- to 673-h.p. range in the 1100 Vario MT Series, powered by a 15.2 litre engine. As well, there are three others in the smaller 380 to 431 h.p. 900 Vario MT Series, which use the seven-cylinder 9.8 litre diesel engine.

In 2024, Agco introduced the ErgoSteer retrofittable joystick control option for 500 to 1000 Series tractors.

Easily installed in late model machines it allows the operator to steer the tractor with a joystick mounted on a left-hand armrest, rather than use the steering wheel. It’s available as a kit from Agco parts.

The system was recognized for an AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for 2025.

Massey Ferguson

Agco has given its Massey Ferguson brand the “straightforward and dependable” marketing tagline, positioning Massey as the go-to option for those not looking for the same high level of technology its sister brand Fendt offers.

However, that isn’t to say Masseys are all bare bones and low tech.

Along with those models that can be ordered with more basic features, there is a lot of technology that can be packed into many of the brand’s traditional red and grey tractors as well. They offer buyers a wide range of technology levels.

In late August 2024, Agco debuted the new 9S models (photo up top) at the Farm Progress Show in the U.S., and they began arriving at North American dealers in 2025.

First introduced at Agritechnica in 2023, the 9S line will include six models in the 285 to 425 h.p. range (9S.285, 9S.310, 9S.340, 9S.370, 9S.400, 9S.425) pushing up at the top of the horsepower range offered by Massey.

The 9S models use a closed-centre hydraulic system with an optional flow rate of up to 400 L/mn.

An 8.4 litre engine, which delivers maximum power at 1,850 r.p.m., has its power routed through the brand’s Dyna-VT, 40 or 50 km-h-capable CVT transmission.

The 9S tractors are relatively light and can weigh up to 3.1 tonnes less than competitors’ tractors in that horsepower category.

The Datatronic 5, nine-inch touchscreen is fully Isobus compatible and allows the operator to control tractor functions on the nine-inch screen.

It offers MF AutoTurn, which can store three separate steering modes for headland turns. Images from up to four cameras can be displayed on the screen to help monitor implements.

McCormick

Topping out McCormick’s flagship X8 model line is the 310 h.p. X8.680. It gets that muscle from a 6.7-litre six-cylinder BetaPower engine that breathes through a variable geometry turbocharger so it can deliver up to 945 pound-feet of torque.

Behind that engine is the brand’s 50 km-h-capable VT-Drive continuously variable transmission, which has four programmable “virtual” operating ranges.

Built for McCormick by ZF, the VT-Drive has three operating modes: automatic, manual and p.t.o. It can even be set to maintain speed and engine settings by automatically adapting to changing load conditions.

The closed-centre hydraulic pump provides 56 g.p.m. (212 l/m). An additional 30 g.p.m. ( 115 l/mn) pump supplies dedicated flow to the steering system.

Tractors can be equipped with up to six electronically controlled rear remotes, as well as two more at the front. The transmission and hydraulic fluids are kept in separate sumps to prevent cross contamination and help ensure driveline oil levels remain at the proper levels.

The rear three-point hitch has a lift capacity of 26,450 lb. (12,000 kg), and a front hitch is also available. It gets a lift rating of 11,000 lb. (5,000 kg). A front p.t.o. is also an option.

A suspended front axle is standard equipment on the X8s, and the tractors are compatible with the brand’s L88 front-end loader.

The McCormicks have fully compatible Isobus connectivity to make digital communications with implements seamless. Operator interface is through a 12-inch touchscreen colour monitor.

Deutz-Fahr

The 9 Series TTV Agrotron models in Deutz-Fahr’s lineup break the 300 h.p. mark. However, only the largest model, the 9340, gets imported into Canada. It has a rating of 336 maximum h.p.

Behind the 7.8-litre Deutz TTCD diesel engine is a ZF-built CVT transmission, which offers 40, 50 or 60 km-h capable versions, along with precise speed selection from 0.2 to 60 km-h at reduced engine speed.

The Deutz engine delivers 90 per cent of its available torque at just 1,000 r.p.m., and maximum torque remains relatively constant from 1,200 to 1,600 r.p.m.

Hydraulic flow rate is 160 l/m, but that can be increased to 210 l/m as an option. Flow rates and activation time of the flow to remotes can be adjusted from the operator’s seat independently for each circuit. Up to six rear and two front remotes are available.

Hydraulic oil uses a separate sump from the transmission fluid to avoid contamination.

The 9 Series tractors offer what the brand describes as “unique operating comfort.” The MaxiVision cab 2 gets a lighting package using LED work lights.

Inside the cab is a colour 12.8-inch iMonitor 2.0 and upholstered leather seating. And for a smoother ride, pneumatic cab suspension is standard on these tractors.

The 9 Series come equipped with a suspended front axle, too. It offers a tight 50 degree turn angle with power disc brakes for improved stopping capability.

Rear three-point hitch lift capacity comes in at 12,000 kg. Front hitch lift capacity is 5,000 kg.

The 9340 includes a built-in guidance package and is fully Isobus compatible, which means it’s TIM (Tractor Implement Management) ready. A fold-out cooling package and easy access to filters make maintenance chores a little easier.

The tractors’ appearance is the result of styling developed in collaboration with the design studio Italdesign Giugiaro.

As well, for those who want to look under that stylish hood, no heavy straining is necessary. A button in the cab lifts it with ease.

RELATED GUIDES:

• 2025 High-Horsepower Tractor Guide
• 2024 High-Horsepower Tractor Guide
• 2023 High-Horsepower Tractor Guide
• 2022 High-Horsepower Tractor Guide
• 2020 High-Horsepower Tractor Guide

The post 2026 High-Horsepower Tractor Guide – What’s new for 300-plus-horsepower tractors appeared first on Grainews.

Called Crop Aid SS — short for “Saline Solution” — the product is designed to be sprayed directly on saline areas in the fall or early spring.

Darren Sander, Crop Aid’s owner and operations manager, said the product does not treat the soil directly. Instead, it’s formulated to treat water as it moves through the soil profile.

Sander said the product works by breaking the bond between water molecules and soil particles, reducing water’s surface tension. This allows water to move down through the soil more easily, carrying salt away from the root zone. Sander claims the treatment also limits the capillary action that can draw salt back up toward the soil surface.

“Everyone’s been trying to treat the soil, and it’s the water that’s the problem,” Sander said in an interview during the Langham, Sask., farm show held in mid-July.

Crop Aid SS is positioned as an alternative to traditional soil amendments such as gypsum or organic matter, which are often applied directly to the soil in an effort to address salinity. Sander said farmers using the product have seen some saline areas improve within one or two years, though more severe patches may require repeated treatments over several seasons.

The product is applied using standard sprayer equipment, and Crop Aid recommends targeting only the saline patches rather than full-field applications. According to Sander, typical treatment costs are less than $20 per acre.

He said the product’s effectiveness has been evaluated primarily through on-farm trials rather than third-party research. Participating farmers report positive results, but Sander acknowledged results can vary depending on factors such as water table depth and spot severity.

Crop Aid SS was launched alongside the company’s bio-stimulant product, Crop Aid Plus, which Sander said is designed to improve soil structure and reduce compaction across entire fields. Together, the two products are marketed as part of a “whole-field approach” to managing saline issues.

To date, Crop Aid SS has not been independently validated through formal research trials.

The post New soil treatment targets saline patches in fields appeared first on Grainews.

The award recognizes businesses in the tourism sector with a commitment to creating outstanding tourism experiences across the country.

The Langham, Sask. Farm show has grown into Western Canada’s largest outdoor farm expo in its 10-year history, attracting more than 30,000 attendees and 550 exhibitors each year, including a strong international presence.

Ag in Motion Show Director Rob O’Connor accepted the award during a trip to the National Capital Region.

“I was proud to accept the award on behalf of everyone who has helped shape Ag in Motion into an event that brings the agriculture community together,” O’Connor said via a Friday written release.

“We are grateful for our collaboration with our community partners and the team at Tourism Saskatchewan, among others, who help put Ag in Motion on the map,” he continued. “Our local, national and international footprint gets stronger every year. There’s always something exciting and new to showcase at Ag in Motion.”

Ag in Motion returns July 21-23, 2026. For more information, check out the documentary series Welcome to the Farm Show, from the Western Producer.

The post Ag in Motion wins business tourism award appeared first on Grainews.

The company was contacted this summer by Time and invited to nominate its unique Razors Edge combine concave to be considered for recognition.

“I thought it was a joke, at first,” CEO Jeremy Matuszewski says.

“We weren’t aware they recognized inventions every year. After we won two awards at Ag in Motion, they reached out and asked if we were interested in applying. So we applied. It was that simple.”

WHY IT MATTERS: A harvesting innovation developed by a Prairie farm equipment manufacturer has now boosted the company’s international profile.

The Razor’s Edge concave beat out five other nominations in the agriculture category.

At Ag in Motion this year, Matuszewski praised the unique design of the concave line, focused more around “how the material flows through a combine.”

The concave line, designed around individual combines, is meant to improve cleaning and separation and removes the need to change between crops.

Farmers can have a slower rotor speed and wider concave clearance, and are also being sold on the design with a promise of more efficient operation and less fuel cost. They’re likewise promised that they can “say goodbye to the hassle of cover plates,” on the company’s website.

Features include a tighter design on the point of the concave with greatest crop impact. Material posted by the company points to lower grain loss during harvest due to fewer bottlenecks in material flow and, in general, better ability to “keep material flow smooth and consistent — no more overloads or downtime.”

History of wins

It’s not clear if winning the awards at AIM was what brought the concaves to Time’s attention, but, “the timing was pretty particular,” Matuszewski says.

Key prerequisites for nomination were that the product had to be new and commercialized this year and found to be making a difference in the market, Matuszewski recalls about the application process.

On its website, the magazine writes that it has been compiling its list of the “most impactful new products and ideas in Time’s Best Inventions issue” since 2000. It adds that editors evaluated each contender on “a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition and impact.”

In all, the magazine recognized 300 of what it terms groundbreaking inventions and 100 special mention inventions across a wide variety of categories. Aside from the recognition and publicity, there is no other reward for the winners.

The final list was announced in early October and the winners will be published in the November print edition.

“They put one (winner) on the cover,” says Matuszewski of the upcoming November issue.

“It is a housekeeping robot. It’s pretty cool. But you can order a cover they’ll ship to you with your invention on it. But it’s not the actual cover.

“Anytime you win an award adds more credibility to the product, but how the product performs is ultimately going to dictate the sales and ultimate growth of that product.”

Time’s list can be found online.

The post Prairie-made combine concaves make Time top inventions list appeared first on Grainews.

“We wanted to focus on the openers for model year 2026,” K-Hart’s director of engineering Erron Leafloor says.

The openers will be available with a new floating carbide scraper design.

“It’s an upgrade from the traditional carbide edge scraper,” he says. “That (edge scraper) works in most soil conditions. But… in heavy clay or really light soils where the blades might not have much traction, we found a lot of advantages to that low contact pressure scraping.”

The double disc openers can be fitted with an optional stone guard to keep debris out from between the blades and protect the seed tube. That is particularly useful in fields with gopher mounds or other uneven terrain features the openers have to run through. It can be installed just on the front rank, or on both.

“It actually acts as a battering ram to blow through those mounds and keep mud from potentially plugging the seed tubes,” says Leafloor.

Behind the discs is an new packer tire option, which has a chevron lug pattern like a tractor tire. The lug pattern can keep water from running down the rows on hillsides and eroding the seed trench. It also provides what Leafloor describes as pinpoint packing, leaving soil less compressed between the lugs.

“This is important in wet clays sometimes, where you can have crusting where you overpack,” he explains. The packer wheel design also sheds mud a bit better than a smooth wheel.

“A real customer request we’ve worked hard on is getting rid of the greasing regimens on our openers,” he adds, “especially on the disc bearings.”

K-Hart, which manufactures its products at two plants in southern Manitoba and at Elrose, Sask., has moved to maintenance-free bearings with just a single grease point on each opener.

The company has also taken a close look at how the drills deliver seed, adding an optional package to extend the life of product lines on drills that seed a very high number of acres annually.

“We’re going to offer a premium air pack,” says Leafloor. “That’s going to include premium stainless steel pipes. It also includes higher-grade hose. This should give extra life to customers who are really trying to push this machine to its limits.”

The Spyder drill is available in 60-, 66- and 74-foot working widths that use the five-plex design. K-Hart also produces a 40-foot, three-section model.

The post K-Hart introduces new Spyder drill options for 2026 appeared first on Grainews.

The tenders are either a truck- or trailer-mounted system to act as landing pad, operator’s station and refill platform for large agricultural drones. Many of those tenders made their first appearance not only at the show but also in the Prairie marketplace.

The increase in interest in drones from those attending field demonstrations at AIM suggests farmers may be starting to see practical applications of the technology on their farms.

As well, the support tender is becoming seen as a key component in efficient on-farm drone use.

To highlight that fact, a drone tender won an Ag in Motion Innovation Award. It was chosen by judges who saw it as a new product likely to have a significant impact on farming. PhiBer Manufacturing of Crystal City, Man., claimed the award for its Dash drone tender trailer.

“It (drone use) is one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture right now,” PhiBer chief executive officer Derek Friesen said during a sod-turning ceremony at the company’s manufacturing plant in June.

“This (Dash tender) trailer will replace what a typical ground sprayer will do in acres per hour. We’ve built the infrastructure to support those drones.”

Along with the PhiBer Dash trailer, there were several other similar systems competing for attention from show goers, including another Manitoba-based company, Farm and Sky Tech Ltd.

“Over the course of the last six months, we came up with this design,” said Barry Walker, co-owner of Farm and Sky Tech Ltd. in Nepawa, Man.

Walker’s company was displaying its prototype design, which is made entirely of galvanized steel and intended to be mounted on a deck trailer. Unlike the PhiBer Dash, which is integrated with a trailer, the Farm and Sky tender is made to sit on an existing deck trailer.

Like the PhiBer, the Farm and Sky tender allows for the sidewalls to lift up hydraulically and provide a wide upper deck capable of handling multiple large drones.

It also offered a partly protected upper platform station for the drone pilots to stand. Walker said the company will likely make a few small changes from the original design it displayed at AIM.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever stop evolving as it exists right now,” he said.

“We know there are some changes coming for that very soon.”

The Farm and Sky tender is modular, built out of eight- to nine-foot sections, so it can be customized to meet the needs of a particular buyer as well as fit on to any size trailer a buyer wants to use.

“This is a unique design,” said Walker.

“You tell me what size of trailer you have and I’ll build it for you.”

Walker said the company was offering to sell the prototype model on display for $35,000.

For someone who wants a more manoeuvrable tender, Elev8 Drone Service from Creston, B.C., displayed its Sky Rig platform, which is designed to be mounted on a one-ton truck.

Company owner Peter Wall said the Sky Rig gives operators the ability to drive into tighter locations where a trailer tender may not be practical or used when a single drone is all that is required.

“For example, fence line or waterway spraying, or for us, orchard spraying. Very often, you can’t get in with a trailer. You can’t turn around or you don’t want to tramp over your field.”

The Sky Rig uses a metal box at the rear to house the drone. It can then be lifted up hydraulically to allow the drone to use an upper deck above the cab as a landing pad. A water tank is located in the truck bed, and a product tank goes up with the drone for easy access.

“You drive out to the location, lift up the box with the hydraulic power pack, you open the lid, get the drone out and you’re ready to fly,” he said.

“We build it all flexible with the farmer in mind. It fits in a short bed, long bed or flat deck. It’s very versatile.”

The Sky Rig retails for $35,000, and a customer could expect delivery in three to four weeks after placing an order, he added.

The post Drone tenders proliferate at Ag in Motion appeared first on Grainews.

“The planter/seeder debate is an interesting one. Essentially, it’s a cost/benefit analysis,” said Darren Bond, farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture.

Of course, buying a shiny new piece of farm equipment brings financing costs — but that’s only the beginning.

“The biggest thing is the cost, but cost is always the easy part of the cost-benefit analysis,” said Bond. “So we have to look from a broader perspective.”

On the other side of the balance sheet is seed savings.

“One of the big selling points of using a planter is being able to reduce the seed rate. Seed is very expensive,” he said. “In our 2025 cost of production guide, canola is $82.50 an acre. If we can halve that seed cost, there’s some pretty big savings there.”

Fendt’s Momentum planter in the spotlight

That cost-conscious mood was on display at Ag in Motion 2025 near Langham, Sask., where AGCO featured its Fendt Momentum planter.

The Momentum is AGCO’s flagship planter, and Don Green, product specialist with Fendt, said it brings new capabilities. With a 130-bushel seed tank and a 1,000-gallon liquid tank, it sits at the high-capacity end of the market.

Green said canola is proving to be a viable fit for the planter. Fendt recently sponsored some research that was done at Olds College in Alberta.

“They did a side-by-side comparison with a competitive air drill, and it showed that we could produce more plants per acre with a lowered seeding rate,” he said. “So, there’s automatically a seed savings in there.”

The Olds trial also showed a two-bushels-per-acre yield advantage, but Green said that yield boost isn’t a guarantee, as those kinds of results are variable.

“I wouldn’t count on that as part of the economics, but the one thing you can count on is that this planter will establish your crop for a lower seed cost per acre,” he said. “That is consistent across all of the work that we’ve done.”

Between yield and seed savings, researchers found a $50 per acre net benefit for planted canola compared to canola seeded with an air drill.

Looking beyond canola

Green said he is also excited by pulse crop potential. They are in the midst of side-by-side trials in Saskatchewan looking at the benefits of running chickpeas and lentils through a planter. Beyond the seed savings expected to mirror the canola trials, he said they’re hoping that because of the better seed placement and spacing the planter offers, there might be some disease benefits.

“I’m not making promises, but we’re sure watching to see what the results are,” he said, adding that early results are expected later this fall.

Agronomic case still taking shape

Ken Coles, CEO of Farming Smarter, also said the idea of planters for pulses makes sense, and that there could indeed be disease benefits.

“I wouldn’t disagree that sometimes a wider row spacing might allow for more airflow. That might be a good thing for disease management,” he said.

Farming Smarter is a southern Alberta non-profit that runs agronomic research trials and shares practical, science-based best practices with farmers.

The group co-authored a 2021 study in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science that compared precision planters and air drills across 12 site-years in Alberta. The work found planters could cut seed use and, under irrigated conditions, boost canola yields by about 10 per cent, though results were mixed under dryland conditions.

Coles noted that planters first made their mark in canola through the seed industry. Hybrid seed producers once relied on old box drills to keep male and female seed rows separate, but precision planters offered a simpler and more accurate way to do the job. Many seed growers adopted them early on because they were already using planters for crops like dry beans or sugar beets.

That early adoption set the stage for broader, on-farm interest. And for regular canola growers, Coles said planters bring clear advantages in seed placement.

“Honestly, they’re designed to do a better job than our traditional air seeders,” he said. “They will do a better job in every setting. Does that mean you can just jump straight into using them? No, there’s a lot more to the story.”

That story includes crop type and environment. Coles points out that you could plant anything and expect better seed placement, but the reason that canola is a better candidate than, say, wheat is because of what he described as the crop’s plasticity.

“Canola has an amazing ability to branch and take advantage of the space that it has,” he explained.

He pointed to Australia, where farmers began using planters sooner than here in North America. However, they were using comparatively wide row spacings under quite different environmental conditions. That approach didn’t translate well to Prairie conditions.

“When we tried using a planter on 30-inch rows here, it just didn’t do well,” Coles said. “When we moved it down to about a 15-inch row spacing, then we found that it was pretty competitive.”

Results across years and conditions have been mixed. Under irrigation, Coles found the narrower rows were better, but with dryland farming, moisture became the critical factor.

“So sometimes it was better, sometimes it wasn’t. It was a little inconclusive,” he said.

That uncertainty highlights why Prairie growers are cautious.

Not built for zero till

One of the downsides to planters is that they were not designed for zero-till systems.

“That’s where having row cleaners is important, and the appropriate down pressure, so that if you want to take it into a zero-till system, it will still do a good job,” said Coles.

Despite the challenges, he said he sees potential growth for the technology, though he doesn’t expect air seeders to disappear. He noted that companies are already incorporating planter features such as parallel linkage, seed firmers and seed singulation into their drills.

“Is it going to be the element of every operation? Probably not. It’s a pretty expensive way to seed certain things,” he said.

Fertilizer adds a wrinkle

Another consideration is fertility.

“You still have to figure out how to get your fertilizer down,” said Coles. “That’s a systemic, on-farm logistics issue when your traditional seeders are set up well to do that.”

Bond agreed and said fertilizer application should be top of mind for farmers considering shifting to a planter. He noted that when farmers switch from a seeder that applies fertilizer during seeding to a planter, they must find another way to put that fertilizer down.

“Is that going to be an extra pass? And if we have that extra pass, then are we essentially giving up the advantages that we’re getting with the planter?”

How a farmer addresses this is critical. Poor timing or placement can lead to environmental losses that aren’t obvious right away but can drag yields down over several years.

Bond noted that moving fertilizer to a separate pass means farmers must weigh trade-offs: spring applications reduce losses but add workload at a busy time and risk drying out the seedbed, while fall banding can be efficient if soils are cool, with the added benefit of often cheaper fertilizer prices.

He stressed that the key is finding an alternative system that matches the efficiency of an air drill. Otherwise, the economics of switching to a planter may not hold.

Fertilizer prices make the issue sharper.

“Phosphorus is very expensive. Our market rates in Manitoba are close to $1,300 a tonne,” Bond said. “Because we’re widening our seed rows, we can’t put quite as much in the seed row as starter fertilizer due to seedling toxicity and fertilizer toxicity.”

That means phosphorus often must be placed elsewhere, adding cost and complexity.

Weeds complicate the picture

Weed control is another factor farmers need to examine.

Bond pointed out that farmers moving to a wider row spacing with canola need to be diligent when it comes to weed control.

“The wider your row spacing, the longer it takes for that canopy to close, the more opportunity there is for weeds like kochia and the redroot pigweeds and lamb’s quarters to really take off,” he said.

Where planters fit

Despite the challenges, Bond sees scenarios where planters make sense.

One is on farms where the air drill is maxed out. A planter can add seeding capacity, allowing some canola to be seeded earlier rather than at the tail end of the window, potentially improving yields.

“It just alleviates that pressure,” said Bond.

Another is on farms already growing corn or soybeans, where a planter is in the yard for those crops. In those cases, shifting some canola acres makes sense without overhauling the system. Bond said most of his clients don’t seed all their canola with planters, but allocating a portion of acres can be a good fit.

“To look at it from a whole farm perspective is very beneficial,” he said.

A constructive debate

Bond said the fact that farmers are talking about planters at all is a positive sign.

“This debate has been going on for a good 10-15 years,” he said. “Some producers just love using planters with canola because they’re able to save $30 or $40 an acre on seed costs, and they feel that pretty much pays for the planter in their situation.”

At the same time, other farmers remain skeptical.

However, Bond says more important than any single answer is the debate itself. He sees the discussion as a good thing because it has farmers talking about reducing costs without reducing yield.

“That’s the only way that producers are going to get through tight margin years.”

The post Seed costs spark new interest in planters for canola appeared first on Grainews.

In Canada, however, the attraction of tractor pulling doesn’t seem to garner the same enthusiasm, but that isn’t to say there isn’t an appetite for it, particularly with those who spend their days in a tractor cab.

At the Ag in Motion farm show held earlier this year near Langham, Sask., a vintage tractor pull event drew pretty significant crowds of showgoers, who were mostly farmers.

“I was just blown away” with the size of the crowd, said Stacey Getz, who organized the event.

“It was fabulous.”

Getz is an old hand at tractor pulling and has been involved with dozens of events across Western Canada and into the northern United States. The drag sled used at the show was one he built himself.

“In 2010, I built a big sled and we did modified shows all across Western Canada and into Montana,” he says.

“I’ve been roughly 40-some places with my sled, and even more with tractors pulling.”

The event at Ag in Motion was for tractors built in 1965 and older, which Greg Flath, one of the competitors, thinks is a key attraction not only for crowds who can remember working fields with similar tractors, but also for those who own the tractors.

“So now it’s, ‘oh look, I used to drive a tractor like that,’ ” he says of people’s reactions to seeing the machines entered in the event.

“I grew up on the farm and we drove this stuff.”

Like any motorsport, there are established rules for tractor pulling, says Getz.

“The sport of tractor pulling goes way back into the ‘60s. When they started organizing it, the rules for the track are 30 feet wide and 300 feet long. Everybody has become accustomed to pulling 300 feet. The way the sled is designed is to stop the tractors around that 300-foot mark.”

At vintage tractor pulling events there is always a variety of makes and models, but John Deeres are often the most popular.

“Very popular is the mid-’30s to early ‘60s John Deeres,” says Getz.

“At some places there’ll be 25 or 30 of them.”

The Ag in Motion pull, however, had one of the rarest machines to ever show up at a vintage event, a 1936 Coop.

WATCH MORE: How do old vs. new tractors compare in efficiency?

There isn’t usually one particular make or model of vintage tractor that outperforms its competitors, Getz says.

“It all comes down to the tractor, what shape it’s in and how it’s been tweaked,” he says.

As for tips or techniques, there isn’t much a driver can do to get an edge, says Flath.

“Everybody likes to say they have a secret. Lots of guys play with their tire pressure. And with lots of guys, it’s premium fuel versus regular fuel. But there’s not a lot you can do. You just hope it runs the day you’re at the pull … because of course you want to beat your neighbour.”

The post Vintage power on display at Saskatchewan tractor pull appeared first on Grainews.

“I do think that we are seeing more durum being grown,” Kirk said. “I anticipate we will see some increased interest in durum with these newer, better varieties that are being released.”

Manitoba isn’t exactly known for its durum production. According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba producers brought in 24,100 acres (9,800 hectares) worth last year, producing about 35,588 tonnes.

That’s a fraction of the rest of the Prairies. In 2024, Saskatchewan alone harvested 5.11 million acres (2.07 million hectares), good for 4.48 million tonnes, while Alberta produced 1.29 million tonnes off of 1.17 million acres (475,400 hectares).

Wetter conditions in the eastern Prairies, and the disease risk and associated quality concerns that come with them, are a big reason for that divide. Mycotoxin-causing infections such as fusarium and ergot are of particular concern, and Manitoba producers tend to reach for less susceptible spring wheat varieties.

AAC Frontier enters the game

New genetics highlighted at the Ag in Motion farm show at Langham, Sask., look to close that susceptibility gap.

AAC Frontier is being pitched as Canada’s first ergot-resistant durum variety. It also brings intermediate resistance to fusarium head blight, as well as resistance for stem and stripe rust.

It was developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Swift Current station, under the guidance of lead breeder Yuefeng Ruan, and was officially registered last year. Commercial rights for the variety currently fall under SeCan.

“When talking to durum producers, they would say that (after) fusarium, ergot would be the No. 2 downgrading factor in durum wheat,” said Todd Hyra, SeCan’s business manager for Western Canada.

The variety is currently in the seed multiplication stage of full commercialization. Seed growers in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta have it growing, Hyra says, and it’s currently on track for commercial release in 2027.

Trade assistance

Even with a better disease package, Kirk doesn’t expect that durum will suddenly explode to areas around the province.

More likely, she said, durum production will stay concentrated in the drier, southwest portion of Manitoba.

READ MORE: Let’s close the circuit on what leads to ergot

Looking past Manitoba’s interest, the advent of better disease resistance may help Canadian durum growers on the world stage.

Moroccan grain processors, who buy Canadian durum wheat for couscous, prioritize the colour of imported grain.

Rachid Chamcham of the Federation Nationale De La Minoterie (National Millers Federation) in Morocco made that point during the 2025 Durum Summit in Swift Current this winter.

“Moroccan millers look for semolina that boasts a vibrant, golden yellow colour — a hallmark of high-quality durum wheat,” Chamcham said.

“This is why they (millers) prefer Canadian amber durum wheat, particularly CWAD No. 1.”

That makes the dark, fungal sclerotia that are a hallmark of ergot an increasingly problematic issue.

Moroccan buyers examine semolina, the flour produced from durum wheat, for dark “specks.”

“Speck counting is often a mandatory quality control parameter, which ensures that the semolina meets customer specifications,” the Canadian Grain Commission said in a 2022 report on ergot in Canadian crops.

“The physical presence of the dark-coloured sclerotia … can negatively influence consumers’ acceptance of semolina and finished products.”

Ergot contamination on the rise

Ergot typically isn’t a significant threat to durum production in most years, but the grain commission report indicates that ergot occurrence has been rising since approximately 2010.

Between 1995 and 2009, ergot incidence (percentage of plants with symptoms) averaged 2.9 per cent in durum. The average incidence jumped to 13.1 per cent from 2010 to 2020.

Additionally, durum wheat has a strict grading tolerance for ergot at just 0.02 per cent of net weight, creating a genuine concern that producers may face downgrading at elevator facilities.

The post Ergot resistance may open new doors for durum on Prairies appeared first on Grainews.

Nutrien Ag Solutions and AdvancedAg were among the companies showcasing biological and biostimulant products at Ag in Motion 2025, the annual outdoor farm expo held near Langham, Sask. The show has become a key venue for launching new products and demonstrating field-ready innovations to Prairie growers.

Ask the right questions

When it comes to newer crop input technologies, University of Saskatchewan soil fertility professor Jeff Schoenau says farmers should go in with their eyes open. Whether it’s a biological, a biostimulant or some other non-traditional fertilizer product, Schoenau recommends treating claims with healthy skepticism — and trialing new tools on-farm.

“Sometimes it’s easy to dismiss these products,” he says. “And I think a person has to be asking the right questions. What kind of evidence do you have for the performance of this?”

When it comes to biologicals — living organisms applied to soil, seed or foliage — the performance can be especially variable. Environmental factors like moisture, temperature, and soil composition all influence microbial activity. That makes the products more finicky than traditional fertilizers, and the mechanisms behind the results aren’t always well understood.

“Sometimes maybe there isn’t even any kind of a reason put forward,” says Schoenau. “You like to see that something that you’re using does have some type of a basis in science; something that obeys the laws of nature. You’re not getting something for nothing.”

He’s not dismissing the category — just urging growers to dig deeper into the science behind it. Look for university trials. Ask to see all the data, not just the success stories. And don’t be afraid to test promising products on small strips.

“Seek out the evidence,” says Schoenau. “That’s very, very important.”

Know what you’re buying

Biologicals and biostimulants are often lumped together, but the difference matters. Biologicals are living organisms — usually bacteria or fungi — that interact with the soil or plant to support growth. Classic examples include rhizobia on legumes or phosphorus-solubilizing microbes. Biostimulants, on the other hand, are substances that help plants take up nutrients more efficiently or tolerate stress better. They might include hormones, amino acids, humic acids or microbial by-products — but they don’t contain live microbes.

In other words, biostimulants aim to enhance a plant’s performance, while biologicals try to shift what’s happening in the soil or on the root. That also means biologicals face more hurdles in terms of consistency, survivability and product handling.

Putting new products through their paces

Shelby LaRose, crop nutrition product manager for Nutrien Ag Solutions in Canada, says the company has taken a measured approach to the biostimulants it brings to market.

“We’re trialing on our own farms, with our own customers,” she says. “We really take pride in our team to help support and educate those growers.”

LaRose oversees Nutrien’s branded nutritionals and its proprietary Loveland products — which include several biostimulants currently sold in Canada. The newest of these is Radiate Plus, a canola-friendly blend of two plant growth hormones and a micronutrient package designed to improve early root growth and reduce plant stress. LaRose says it’s already shown bigger stalks and better root systems in plots across the West.

Another is Blackmax WSG, a granular humic acid derived from leonardite, a coal-adjacent layer in the Earth’s crust. LaRose says the product boosts water and nutrient uptake early in the season — a key advantage in areas that dry out after seeding. A liquid version is expected to hit the Canadian market in 2026.

Then there’s Atlas XC, a fertilizer treatment that helps release phosphorus for early root development — especially important in cold prairie soils. Atlas isn’t new, but LaRose says it’s still a strong performer, backed by over 200 trials since its Canadian launch in 2018.

All of these are biostimulants — not biologicals. They don’t contain live bacteria. But they still require careful testing, and LaRose says that work has become more rigorous.

“Over the last couple of years, the regulations behind these products have significantly increased. You have to do more testing behind it to prove that these products do what they say they’re doing.”

She also sees a generational shift in attitudes.

“The younger generation is more willing to try the products,” she says. “Realizing they might not see results in the first year, but willing and understanding that there’s more to these products.”

From wastewater to farm fields

Not all companies entering the space come from the big corporate world. In fact, one of the fastest-growing biologicals outfits in Canada started as a family operation.

“My mother started the company in 2001,” says Joshua Day Chief, CEO of AdvancedAg. “She was using bacteria to break down sludge and organic matter in wastewater systems, which then evolved to treating lakes and ponds.”

It was only in 2015 that they started looking seriously at agriculture. Farmers they were helping with dugout treatment started asking whether bacteria could help in their fields too. At the time, fertilizer prices were climbing, and producers were looking for ways to improve soil health and reduce inputs.

“There was a lot of interest from farmers,” Day Chief says. “And at that same time you started to see a shift toward this regenerative ag movement.”

At first, Day Chief says, they focused on plot work and applied research. “In 2015 we did 50 acres of peas in southern Alberta. Now in 2025, we’re probably on half a million acres across Canada.”

And the acres aren’t limited to cereals and pulses. The company is active in vineyards, orchards and vegetable operations too.

“If you drink a bottle of organic wine, there is a good chance the grapes were grown with our bacteria,” he says.

Even as the company has grown, Day Chief says their approach remains hands-on. They work directly with growers, helping customize programs based on specific goals. Some are cutting fertilizer rates by 30 per cent without losing yield — and some are just starting the conversation.

“There’s a lot of excitement around these products,” he says. “But these are living organisms and every farm is unique. Every challenge is unique. So, we work directly with our farmers.”

Day Chief also encourages growers to keep asking tough questions. “The skepticism should be there,” he says. “Ask for the label. Ask for the university studies. Ask for the raw data.”

Building a toolkit, not selling a silver bullet

AdvancedAg’s current product suite includes three main offerings — all biologicals, all CFIA-registered, and all designed to work within a broader crop fertility plan.

The most straightforward is A*Live Seed, a powdered biological seed dressing that adds beneficial bacteria directly to the seed. These Bacillus strains help ward off pathogens and promote early root growth by producing hormones and enzymes. The product is widely compatible with crop types and doesn’t require brewing or special equipment.

The second is ACF-SR, a liquid biofertilizer containing five different strains of live bacteria. It can be applied in-furrow or as a foliar spray and is designed to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus, and even help with carbon sequestration. Product manager Jeff Goodwin says it’s the company’s most powerful tool for reducing synthetic fertility.

“Our products aren’t a fertilizer replacement,” says Goodwin. “But they certainly help fertilizer become much more efficient.”

The final product is SRP, a phosphorus-targeted blend that also supports late-season plant health. Goodwin says they’ve seen reduced fungicide use in some crops — not because the product kills disease, but because the plants stay healthier in the first place.

“It’s CFIA registered as a biofertilizer,” he says, “but we’ve just seen some really amazing things in terms of plant health and cost savings.”

Goodwin said every farm they work with starts with a soil sample and a consultation — and every program is customized. First-time users often see an immediate ROI just by trimming 10 to 15 per cent from their fertilizer budget. More aggressive users have gone much further. One potato grower cut back 40 per cent and dropped fungicide entirely.

That kind of performance depends on proper management — and that, says Goodwin, is what sets the company apart.

“If what we’re doing currently wasn’t scalable, we wouldn’t be able to compete. But we’re not just selling biologicals — we’re selling the knowledge that comes with it.”

The post Biologicals, biostimulants make way into Prairie crop plans appeared first on Grainews.