Reading Time: 2 minutes A new research project underway in Europe may give farmers a reason to think swarms are a good thing. Far from swarms of locusts or other troublesome pests, the MARS (Mobile Agricultural Robot Swarms) project is working on creating swarms of small, autonomous robots that can seed farm fields on their own. The MARS project […] Read more
Heading to MARS
This new ag robot concept uses swarms of small machines
Hanson Acres: All down the generations
“Sometimes,” said Ed, “an old man has to just sit back and pretend not to mind what happens.”
Reading Time: 5 minutes Jeff was boiling water for tea while Elaine sorted out the last of the papers, still warm from the printer. Jeff’s parents, Dale and Donna, had just walked over from their house across the yard and were settling into chairs around the dining room table. Six-year-old Connor shouted out from his bedroom. “Mommy, I’m thirsty.” […] Read more
The paint does matter
Versatile draws on inspiration from its past to position itself for future growth
Reading Time: 5 minutes It isn’t much of a surprise when Versatile shows up for the annual Manitoba Ag Days. The show, after all, is just two hours from the Versatile factory, so the company’s regular attendance is pretty much a given. Local farmers expect to see the brand put in an appearance there every year, and they’re never […] Read more
Can Am’s new UTVs
The brand is following through on a commitment to add new machines to its product line twice a year
Reading Time: 3 minutes BRP, the company behind the Can Am line of products, has expanded the choice of Defender Max UTVs for 2017 with the addition of two new machines, bringing the total number of Max models to four. The company says the Defender Max UTVs are “pickup truck-inspired” and will now offer seating for up to six adults. […] Read more
Hanson Acres: A thump in the night
Most times, the rural countryside lives up to its peaceful old stereotypes
Reading Time: 5 minutes “Late winter storms are always the worst,” Jeff told Elaine over the phone. “It’s warm enough to melt, but cold enough to freeze. Makes the roads icy. And the snow is really pouring down.” “We’ll be fine,” Elaine said. “Really, it’s not that I want to stay here,” Jeff said, for the third time. Elaine […] Read more
Spreading it around
New fertilizer applicators rush onto the market
Reading Time: 4 minutes In 2016, farmers were introduced to several new machines capable of meeting their fertilizer spreading needs. Among them was the new self-propelled F4365 spinner-spreader from John Deere, a high-capacity machine designed primarily for large operators and custom applicators. The F4365 sports a 330-cubic foot New Leader dry spreader box, and can apply up to 1,100 […] Read more
Hanson Acres: This year, it’s going to be different
The calendar makes the rules, even when that load of durum is late
Reading Time: 5 minutes It was cold enough that the machinery had to work extra hard and a thin layer of frost had formed on Jeff’s eyelashes. He hated working after dark. “Could be worse,” he thought. “I could be Phil, hauling grain here to be cleaned on a Sunday night.” Once Phil drove off and Jeff had the […] Read more
More new tractors from McCormick
The Italian brand adds both low- and high-spec utility models
Reading Time: 4 minutes For several years now, ag machinery has been all about technology. But the more advanced our tractor design becomes, the more push-back we see from a segment of the market demanding machines without all the newest features and technology. After all, tractors have been doing farm chores since the early part of the last century […] Read more
PHOTOS: JCB redesigns the 8000 Series Fastrac tractor
Guide Machinery: The evolution of the Fastrac
Reading Time: 3 minutes All eyes were on a stage in JCB’s Rocester, England world headquarters building in October as a few dozen ag journalists from several different countries gathered for the reveal of the company’s all new 8000 Series Fastrac tractor. As is usually the case with events like this, no matter what the brand, the unveiling was […] Read more
Hanson Acres: When it’s -39 C, and no one else is home
Frostbite isn’t the only danger Jeff faces. It may not even be the worst
Reading Time: 5 minutes By the time Elaine got to the third item on her list, Jeff was wishing he hadn’t answered when she phoned. Or, at least, he shouldn’t have admitted he was bored. “You’re right,” she’d agreed. “It’s way too cold to work outside. But there’re a few things you could do in the house.” Elaine had […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
