Reading Time: 4 minutes When Jeff rolled the semi to a stop at the Hanson’s farmyard gate before he pulled out onto the grid road he thought he heard shouting. It didn’t take him long to find the source. There wasn’t a lot of mud in the Hanson’s yard this spring, but his kids had found it. Five-year-old Jenny […] Read more
Hanson Acres: Time for one more load before spring gets real
Across the country, it’s called beating the ban. Jeff isn’t likely to forget (again)
Lift and load
Three new loaders designed for on-farm handling
Reading Time: 3 minutes In late January, John Deere introduced the new 344L compact wheel loader at an industry show in Las Vegas. Although this machine comes out of the green brand’s yellow construction side, it is also being marketed as an ideal fit for an on-farm fleet. “The 344L is a quick, nimble machine that is optimized for […] Read more
Versatile debuts new machinery for 2018
Winnipeg-based manufacturer shows new combine, anniversary tractor
Reading Time: 3 minutes The regional Manitoba Ag Days indoor farm machinery show in Brandon takes place every January, but isn’t exactly known as the kind of event where major manufacturers debut new machines — with one notable exception. Versatile, whose manufacturing plant is just two hours down the highway, has embraced the event as a place to show […] Read more
Hanson Acres: A call for help
They hadn’t seen Tara for a while, but it’s good she came today
Reading Time: 4 minutes “Your husband’s not home to help out?” The trucker who’d just pulled his semi on to the truck scale in the Hanson’s yard looked a little uncertain. “Shouldn’t you call somebody?” Elaine bit her lip to keep from saying anything she’d regret. “Don’t worry,” she told him. “I know what I’m doing.” With her husband […] Read more
Hanson Acres: So much to do
In which the idyllic farm lifestyle meets too much reality
Reading Time: 4 minutes Elaine was rushing to get her four-year-old daughter Jenny out the door so she could pick up her son Connor after school. “Come on, kiddo. Connor will worry if we’re not there when the bell rings,” she said. By March, Elaine was counting down the days until the end of hockey season. Two practices a […] Read more
Deere strengthens its tractor promise
More models and a unique fuel guarantee to boost Deere’s European presence
Reading Time: 3 minutes Several years ago, John Deere was one of the earliest brands to give the digital component of its equipment a strong emphasis. Without a doubt they were ahead of all the major brands, which have since recognized the growing importance of that technology. Now, Deere is again getting ahead of curve by using the data […] Read more
Hanson Acres: Only in Canada, in deepest mid-winter
What was that noise at the curling rink?
Reading Time: 4 minutes “Good luck Dad,” seven-year-old Connor said to his father as Jeff tied his curling shoes. “I’ll need it,” Jeff said, looking to his wife, Elaine, for reassurance. “It’ll be fun,” Elaine said. When his friend Shawn had called to ask Jeff to curl in the local Farmers Bonspiel, Jeff had refused. “I haven’t stepped onto […] Read more
And the Oscar goes to…
Brands claim top design awards at home and abroad
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Agritechnica machinery show in Germany, which takes place every two years, has its own set of Tractor of the Year awards. A group of European journalists pick what they collectively think are the best tractors in each of four different categories, including best field tractor, best utility, best speciality and best overall design. This […] Read more
Hanson Acres: Big decision at the farm machinery show
Apparently, change comes to everyone, so you might as well be ready for it
Reading Time: 4 minutes “See you at 4:00,” Dale nodded as he shut the back passenger door of his son Jeff’s truck and stepped out into the cold January morning. This was great, he thought, getting dropped off at the door at the Crop Production Show. He wouldn’t have to circle the parked trucks looking for a space, then […] Read more
Re-energizing electric drive
Today’s concept tractors may never get beyond the prototype stage, but that isn’t going to stop electrification
Reading Time: 6 minutes It was one of those great opportunities that I savour. I was with two very senior executives from one of the full-line manufacturers, and we were having a casual and candid conversation over lunch. We were in a private dining room on the grounds of the Agritechnica machinery show in Germany. Eventually the conversation drifted […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
