farm mechanic with deere equipment

Deere expands customer repair capabilities northward

Customer Service Advisor and mobile app now available to Canadian owners

As “right-to-repair” advocates have increased pressure on major manufacturers in all industry sectors, some U.S. states have now introduced laws to mandate it. Those regulations, however, differ by state. For example, ag equipment manufactured after a certain date is included in Colorado’s law, while specifically excluded in Oregon’s. Aside from the push by legislators, the […] Read more

The process of farmer consultation on new equipment starts long before any metal is welded together.

Understanding farmers’ equipment needs

As the pace picks up on advancements in technology, consulting customers for their feedback becomes more important

A few years ago, I was invited to attend an R&D facility to test-drive a prototype version of an MFWD tractor with a CVT transmission — then I was asked to give my impressions of what I liked or didn’t like. It was interesting to participate in the early evaluation of a new tractor. Prototype […] Read more



(Video screengrab from Macdon.com)

Bourgault becomes third shortliner acquired by Linamar since 2017

Leadership say they want to double the business of the maker of Highline equipment and Freeform Plastics

In 2017 Linamar, a company best known as an auto parts manufacturer, purchased Winnipeg-based header and swather manufacturer MacDon. It followed that up by bringing implement brand Salford into its fold in 2022. In late December the company announced it is now adding Saskatchewan-based air drill manufacturer Bourgault into its family of shortline ag equipment brands.


This Lemken concept autonomous unit is much larger than most that have been developed.
 Photo: John Greig

5 lessons learned at Agritechnica

I spent five days at Agritechnica 2023 and here are five things I learned. It’s a challenge sometimes to pull out the strong European policy influence on exhibitors and farmers at this show, but there are lessons for Canadian farmers, and the technology created to manage European problems in some cases will make economic sense […] Read more

Photo: John Greig

Agritechnica wrap-up: New combines, tractors and industry trends

Agritechnica is the world’s largest agriculture machinery show, drawing more than 400,000 people from around the world to Hannover, Germany. Glacier FarmMedia Senior Technology Editor John Greig was there and summarized the major product launches and some of the ag-tech industry trends he observed. – John Greig is a senior editor with Glacier FarmMedia. Watch for much […] Read more


Axten Farms has been using controlled traffic farming on their southern Saskatchewan farm for about eight years. It is one of the changes in production practices that is helping to break up soil compaction, improve water infiltration rates and support improved crop yields.

Farmers assess the effects of soil compaction

How some producers recognize and manage the issue

While Mother Nature does its best in Western Canada to alleviate soil compaction through the freeze and thaw cycle, researchers suspect nature has a hard time keeping up with the pressure (figuratively and literally) of modern agricultural technology. Bigger, heavier equipment travelling over fields, particularly when soil conditions are wet, is believed to cause soil […] Read more

Agritechnica has resumed its normal show schedule, with the next event to be held this coming November in Hannover, Germany.

Agritechnica to focus on ‘green productivity’

Show theme is advancing yields with environmentally friendly technologies

With the resumption of its normal schedule after COVID-19 forced a delay and finally cancellation of its last event, Agritechnica, the world’s premiere ag equipment exhibition, will hold its next event this coming November in Hannover, Germany — assuming there are no further global disruptions. The German Agricultural Society, known as DLG, stages the show, […] Read more


The HarvestLab grain sensor can be retrofitted to 2018 and newer John Deere S700 series combines to provide real-time grain quality data when harvesting.

Measure grain protein on the go

John Deere’s HarvestLab offers new features for grain growers

Most grain producers have spent time at an elevator waiting to find out the protein level of a truckload of wheat after delivering it. That, of course, makes a difference to the size of cheque the elevator manager is willing to write. Today, John Deere is taking the suspense out of that wait by making […] Read more

New Holland upgrades the digital features of its line of front boom Guardian sprayers.

New Holland updates the Guardian sprayer line

Faster field speeds, more technology and more integration

Not long ago, “bigger and more powerful” were the buzzwords in new machinery marketing. Today, “smarter, faster and connected” seem to sum up what manufacturers are emphasizing in new equipment offerings. New Holland has improved all of those features in its updated line of Guardian front boom sprayers. The newest lineup of Guardian sprayers, announced […] Read more