(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


When doing year-end maintenance on equipment this winter, don’t overlook the grain cart.

Off-season checklist for grain cart inspections

What not to overlook during a winter checkup

Winter is the season when growers have a little time to pull machines into the shop for annual maintenance. It’s the perfect opportunity to give the whole farm fleet a thorough going over to identify any potential problems before they lead to a breakdown, which will almost certainly occur in season when time is at […] Read more

Ag tech: Look before you leap

Ag tech: Look before you leap

Consider these factors before you put your money into the latest ag innovation

Although it’s easy to be smitten with the latest precision agricultural technology, one expert in the field advises people to look before they leap when it comes to adopting the technological innovations on offer. “Do your homework and know that the return on investment or the value of a technology on one farm is not […] Read more