With crop harvest getting into full swing, many producers are pulling their grain augers out of the weeds and taking a look at their grain bins for wear and a quick cleanout.
- By Michael Gustafson
Here we are in early September already, and harvest 2017 is just around the corner. We all know what that means: One of the most dangerous jobs in America, farming, is entering one of its most dangerous time periods.
- By Michael Gustafson, Iowa Farmer Today
The 2017 Farm Progress Show is coming up this next week, Aug. 29-31. Billed as the nation’s largest outdoor farm event, the show offers attendees the opportunity to visit a variety of product displays, experience field demonstrations, and attend presentations from livestock, crop and equipme…
- By Michael Gustafson, Iowa Farmer Today
Over the years, tracking equipment trends seems to have been an exercise in seeing just how large equipment can get.
- By Roy Leidahl, Iowa Farmer Today
Sales of small tractors are climbing for the eighth straight year, but sales of bigger new tractors are sliding again.
- By Bill Tiedje and Phyllis Coulter, Iowa Farmer Today
On many farms, it can seem like the busy times of year keep getting busier, making it a challenge to balance the need to get fieldwork done in a timely manner while managing equipment costs.
- By Michael Gustafson
Buy local. Eat local. Know where your food comes from.
- By Michael Gustafson
What do oats, annual ryegrass, sorghum, sudan grass, cereal rye, triticale, wheat, spelt, barley, cowpea, winter pea, red clover, sweet clover, hairy vetch, alfalfa, mung beans, radishes and turnips all have in common?
- By Michael Gustafson
I like technology. I’m not a techno-geek, however I do like what technology can offer in the way of providing information and making decisions more timely and accurately.
- By Michael Gustafson
I used to listen to a radio in my truck. Now, when I’m looking at a new vehicle, I have to wade through a variety of choices for “infotainment systems.”
- By Michael Gustafson
About a year ago, I was in the market for a new pickup truck. Since I had not purchased one in a few years, I was somewhat taken aback by the price on the window sticker. Nearly $58,000 for the model I wanted with the options I “had to have.”
- By Michael Gustafson
Every time haying season rolls around, I’m reminded of the first real job I had: working on a hay crew. I recall stacking small square bales all day under a blazing sun and dealing with humidity so high you could almost swim in it.
Take a step into my machine shed. You’re sure to stumble across a variety of 2-cycle, gas-powered outdoor power tools including a leaf blower, a couple of chain saws, a garden tiller, a walk-behind mower and a weed trimmer/edger. I’ve used these items for years. They’re powerful and fairly e…
- By Ann Marie Edwards
As the year comes to a close, farmers gather information on tax planning for the final weeks of 2016.
- Ann Marie Edwards
Are you shopping for a farmer this season or looking for tools that will help you through the winter? Check out these ideas for inspiration, or maybe treat yourself with equipment additions that will help make your farm more efficient this season.
Once the crop is out of the field, it’s already time to start thinking about changes you might make for the 2017 growing season.
- Ann Marie Edwards
With harvest wrapping up and fresh in your mind, it’s a good time to assess your on-farm grain handling. Ask yourself if it was efficient and consider changes that could be made for 2017.
- Ann Marie Edwards
Once harvest is complete, it’s always good to take time to inspect combines and other equipment to address any problems you experienced during harvest as well as clean and winterize for storage.
- By Ann Marie Edwards
Pork producers have experienced a rollercoaster as cash prices have dropped sharply.
- By Ann Marie Edwards
Autonomous tractors were recently introduced by Case IH and New Holland.
- By Ann Marie Edwards
As harvest approaches, farm shows throughout the Midwest are packed with manufacturers despite it being a slower year for machinery sales.
Manufacturers continue to offer farmers new equipment with advances in engineering and new technology.
- By Ann Marie Edwards
State fairs and farm shows provide the opportunity to see the latest farm equipment up close and provide farmers with ideas of what is needed for an operation.
- By Ann Marie Edwards
Sales and interest in utility tractors is strong as more owners of small farms or acreages look for the right sized equipment for their operation.