Genetically engineered corn and soybean varieties make for stronger, bigger yields. But the same genetics that make these crops resistant to weather, disease and pests also make them tough to cut – and tough on your machine. (more…)
Well-known agronomists Brian and Darren Hefty are our guest bloggers for this post. Through radio and TV programs and during workshops, the Heftys help educate and provide information to farmers to improve their profitability. In this blog post, Brian and Darren discuss steps you can take to improve alfalfa production. I invite you to read their post and let us know what management practices you utilize to maximize your alfalfa crop. (more…)
At the recent AG CONNECT Expo, a panel of Case IH experts, moderated by Jim Patrico, senior editor of DTN/The Progressive Farmer, offered advice on how to manage your agronomic challenges in 2013. In this and upcoming posts, we’ll feature video highlights from their discussion regarding three topics: soil compaction, crop residue and shifting crop patterns/practices. (more…)
Author and futurist Jack Uldrich gave a presentation entitled “Why Future Trends in Agriculture Will Require Unlearning” at a recent Case IH event. Check out the video highlights from his presentation. (more…)
When analyzing the results from a recent Case IH producer survey, Brian and Darren Hefty were not surprised that 85 percent of the 1,109 producer respondents are considering new cropping practices and technologies in 2013. What new methods will you use this growing season?
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As the harvest season comes to a close, we’re reminded once again of the resilience and optimism of America’s farmers. Tell us about your harvest experience this year, and what you anticipate for next year. (more…)
As we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, we’re grateful for farmers who work tirelessly to grow our food. We give thanks too for the bountiful resources we have in North America: productive soils, structured markets, a quality infrastructure and the technology that allows us to keep improving efficiency and yields. Other areas of the world are not as fortunate.
Howard G. Buffett, a speaker at the Borlaug Dialogue symposium during the World Food Prize this fall, has worked extensively in Africa to alleviate hunger. A farmer, philanthropist, and son of Warren Buffett, he is also a gifted photographer, and documented the hunger situation in his book, Fragile – The Human Condition. Through his journey, he discovered that we can’t solve other people’s problems, no matter how much money we spend; people need to be engaged in solving their own problems, with help from others.
As harvest comes to a close, we’re reminded once again of nature’s power. The drought in Texas that devastated crops and livestock. The excessive spring moisture that prevented 30 percent of Manitoba from even being seeded.
Yet something else also stands out in the 2011 harvest reports from throughout North America. And that is, thanks to continuous innovations in big iron, farmers are increasingly able to work around Mother Nature. Obviously we’ll never defeat her completely, but we’re definitely winning more battles.
Harvest season is over in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, says Ryan Braun, the Case IH combine product specialist who covers the area. Braun – no relation to the Milwaukee Brewers slugger/MVP candidate of the same name – has served as a combine specialist for about a year and a half. Before joining Case IH, he spent three years working on a Syngenta research farm, and another six years at MacDon industries in Winnipeg. Braun grew up on a small grains farm just outside of Winnipeg, which his family still operates. He says he’s a big fan of farm equipment in general, but that he’s always been fascinated with combines “because of the incredible job they do.”
Canola and wheat are all done – even the stragglers are off. There are a couple inches of snow on the ground now. Some guys had a wet spring so they seeded late. But even those guys are done, and harvest went well.
In western Canada, Mother Nature blessed farmers with a great growing season – but a seriously challenging harvest – says this week’s guest blogger, Louis Melanson. A Case IH combine product specialist since 1999, Melanson has been with the company for 35 years. He grew up on a farm in eastern Canada, and has always been drawn to big agricultural iron. He wound up working with combines because he was intrigued by the capability to use 30-foot plus headers at 5 mph to harvest canola, which is a very light seed. Melanson jokes that he became a combine specialist “by reading the manual.”
Canola and wheat account for the majority of crops in my area, along with some barley. We’re probably 90 percent done with canola. But it’s getting tougher to get that last 10 percent out, because the snow’s starting to fall. Customers can only combine a few hours a day.
