The short answer is yes, but with major caveats. New genetics and market opportunities have put edible beans on the radar on farms where they haven't been grown in the past, but it raises a machinery dilemma: do you need to invest in a dedicated planter, or can the drill or air seeder that's already... Read More
Category: Machinery
It’s critical to mix products in the right order to keep the sprayer rolling during tight application windows. When tank mixes go sideways, plugged filters, reduced solubility, and “toothpaste consistency” sludge can quickly turn a spray day into a costly delay. In this episode of Corn School, RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin visits the BASF London Research... Read More
Making sure the sprayer is ready to deliver accurate, consistent applications is critical as growers head to the field to manage winter wheat this spring. In this Wheat School episode, University of Guelph-Ridgetown professor TJ Poehlman walks through key setup and calibration steps growers should take before spraying. He stresses that a few simple checks... Read More
After a winter that saw growing interest — and purchases — of drone technology, many Canadian farmers are heading into the 2026 season ready to put these tools to work in their fields. At the Canadian Dairy XPO in Stratford, Ont., RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin caught up with Brian Vansteelandt, sales specialist with Volley Aerobotics, to... Read More
As sprayer technology evolves, the focus is shifting from broad application to more targeted, efficient use of crop protection products, without requiring a complete equipment overhaul. At Commodity Classic 2026, Precision Planting research agronomist Aaron Hermann outlined how new retrofit tools aim to bridge that gap for existing sprayers. In this interview, he explains how... Read More
When canola emergence is uneven, the issue often traces back to seeder setup, where small misses in calibration, airflow, or seed placement can quickly reduce plant stands. Justin Nanninga, director with Alberta Canola and the Canola Council of Canada, says in this episode of RealAgriculture's Canola School that getting the right plant population starts with... Read More
The chill in the North American agricultural economy is being felt acutely on dealership lots this spring. According to data released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), March 2026 saw a significant pullback in tractor and combine sales as producers grapple with tightening margins and a cautious capital environment. According to the AEM data,... Read More
Efficiency under load and ease of operation remain key drivers in equipment decisions, and Fendt is leaning into both with the launch of its new 500 Vario Gen4 series. Speaking with RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin at Commodity Classic at San Antonio, Texas, Blake Bullinger, senior marketing product specialist with Fendt, pointed to the updated AGCO Power... Read More
Air Tractor Holdings announced Monday that it has acquired competitor Thrush Aircraft in a deal that combines the two largest aerial application aircraft manufacturers. The transaction also brings together both companies founded by spray plane pioneer Leland Snow. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It’s the best path forward to... Read More
Getting seed off to a strong, uniform start remains one of the biggest yield drivers, and John Deere is rolling out new planter technology aimed squarely at improving emergence consistency while also fine-tuning input management. At Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, Anthony Styczinski, marketing manager for planters and air seeders with John Deere, outlined... Read More