Better Pork

Members of the Canadian ag industry have mixed feelings, but mostly negative ones, when it comes to the federal budget’s contents. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), for example, says while the commitment to consultations on equipment interoperability and increases to Lifetime Capital Gains Exemptions are welcomed, multiple industry issues went unmentioned. The budget didn’t address labour challenges or trade infrastructure, the organization said in a statement. And the continued pressure of the carbon tax, plus no upgrades to risk management programs means the budget falls short of what Canadian farmers need. “While we understand there are competing priorities for government funds, with erratic weather and high prices tremendously increasing the risk profile of Canadian agriculture, the government can ill-afford to ignore food production and Canadian farmers,” CFA President Keith Currie said in a statement. The Liberal budget and its nearly $40 billion deficit will do little to address the needs of Canadian farmers, said Daryl Fransoo, chair of the Wheat Growers Association. “It’s unfortunate the federal government has once again failed to support Canadian grain farmers,” he said in a statement. “We are most efficient at growing highest quality grains and oilseeds, yet the government is either putting roadblocks into the supply chain or not supporting the changes needed to continue to grow this sector.”

Billy Hargis, a distinguished poultry scientist, has been recognized for his contributions to poultry gut health research with a unique tribute. A newly discovered poultry pathogen, Eimeria hargisi, was named in his honor by colleagues at the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada. The parasite was discovered during studies of a recurring disease at a commercial chukar partridge farm in Ontario. Hargis, who serves as the director of the John Kirkpatrick Skeeles Poultry Health Laboratory, expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him by his longtime colleague and friend, John Barta, a professor of parasitology at the Ontario Veterinary College. The oval-shaped tattoo of the newly named microbe adorns the side of Hargis's right calf, serving as a permanent reminder of his contributions to the field. The parasite discovery, led by a team of student researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College, was published in the Journal of Parasitology. Eimeria hargisi is part of the Eimeria parasite family, which causes coccidiosis, a deadly disease that affects a wide range of animals. The naming of the parasite after Hargis recognizes his research record in support of poultry gut health and his mentorship of future scientists in the field. This tribute marks the second time an Arkansas poultry researcher has had a parasite named after them. Previously, a parasite was named Eimeria Chapmani in honor of retired experiment station researcher David H. Chapman. Hargis's contribution to poultry science extends beyond his role at the Skeeles Poultry Health Laboratory. He teaches courses in the poultry science department at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, furthering education and research in the field. The naming of Eimeria hargisi serves as a testament to Hargis's dedication to advancing poultry health research and his lasting impact on the scientific community.

A University of Alberta scientist will be sifting through vegetable genes to find out which ones can help increase canola yield. “We’ll be looking at the genes of cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and kale to identify which genes from these vegetables can increase seed yield in hybrid canola,” Plant Scientist Habibur Rahman told Farms.com. Those vegetables belong to a species of plant known as Brassica oleracea. Others in this group include Brussels sprouts, collard greens and Savoy cabbage. Rahman’s previous work proved that Brassica oleracea plants can improve canola hybrids because they carry genes for traits like early flowering and high oil content. This research is an expansion of his past findings. “Now that we know these plants can support canola, we’re going to pinpoint which genes are responsible for these benefits and use them to create better canola hybrids,” Rahman said. But farmers shouldn’t expect to have these hybrids available to them soon. He expects to test produce some of these hybrids in 2024-25 and field test them in 2025.

“Alberta is a major pork exporting jurisdiction and the pork sector is a sound contributor to the provincial economy,” says Ann Boyda, provincial livestock market analyst with the Alberta government. “In 2022, the sector contributed $11.2 billion in gross domestic product and employed approximately 69,000 Albertans.” In 2023, Alberta slaughtered 2.727 million hogs in federally inspected facilities, 1.784 million of Alberta origin. Alberta produced 2.169 million market hogs, with an estimated 82% processed in Alberta, 11% processed in British Columbia, and 6% in Manitoba. Alberta has an estimated 13% of the hog processing capacity in Canada Over the last decade, live hog exports have declined from the peak of 714,727 head in 2016 to the low of 473,640 head in 2023. USDA suggests that the first quarter of 2024 may see larger market hog exports. Expansion in sow slaughter in Western Canada is suggested to see fewer cull sow exports. USDA has projected feeder exports will increase slightly in 2024, especially out of Western Canada. Alberta exported 105,840 tonnes of pork product valued at $354.2 million in 2023. This volume was down 26.5% from the prior year and the export value declined by 34.4%. The greatest share of pork (28.3%) was chilled or fresh pork, followed by frozen swine cuts (19.4%), bone in fresh or chilled hams (18.9%) and fresh or chilled pork bellies (16.1%). Fresh or chilled bone in pork shoulders comprised 7% of the total export volume. Frozen edible offal, frozen bone in hams and shoulders, and fresh or chilled edible offal comprised 5.3%, 3.4% and 1.4% of export volume, respectively. Alberta’s top export market remains the United States (U.S.) with 43,474 tonnes of pork product valued at $140.5 million, representing 39.7% of the market share. Japan is Alberta’s second largest market representing 28.7% of the total export value at $101.6 million and 18,930 tonnes of pork. Mexico represents Alberta’s third major market for pork at $48.6 million or 20,089 tonnes. Alberta also shipped 10,712 tonnes of pork to China, valued at $22.3 million and 6,947 tonnes of pork to the Philippines, valued at $18.5 million. In terms of export volume, fresh or chilled bone in hams represent the largest export category with 63.2% destined for Mexico and 36.8% destined for the U.S. Approximately 54.6% of fresh or chilled pork was destined for U.S. and 41.4% to Japan. Japan was also the major market for fresh or chilled bone in pork shoulder (83.4%). “Alberta’s swine sector performance has faced challenges, but there are recent signs of Alberta’s hog margins improving,” explains Boyda. “Except for June through October, producers experienced nearly 7 months of financial losses in 2023. Losses did extend into the first 2 months of 2024 but have finally rebounded in March.” At a March 28, 2024 webinar hosted by National Pork Board, Brett Stuart of Global AgriTrends shared that the U.S. hog sector reported financial losses for 12 of the past 14 months. The China hog sector, plagued with disease issues, weak demand and over supply, faced 23 of the past 30 months with producer losses. The European Union (EU) also witnessed significant liquidation in its hog sector due to rising costs and environmental policies and is projected by USDA to continue to decline through 2024. Liquidation in EU markets provides export demand opportunities for Alberta pork, but Alberta must compete with U.S. and Brazil. U.S. has increased its pork exports by 17% from a year ago. “Alberta will also need to navigate climate and environmental policies such as California’s Proposition 12 regarding requirements for h

Protein Industries Canada celebrated the introduction of a groundbreaking project that will elevate plant-protein nutrition and expand its global market presence. The initiative is a collaboration among Wamame Foods, Apex Food Source, Crush Dynamics, and AGT Food and Ingredients, focusing on developing high-protein food products like burritos that surpass the protein content of many traditional protein bars. The initiative stems from the successful launch of Wamame’s premium Waygu line, funded by Protein Industries Canada's first investment. The new line boasts a protein content 65% higher than that of cooked ground beef, crafted using Canadian-sourced peas, favas, and canola proteins. This project is not just about higher protein levels; it also prioritizes sustainability. For instance, Crush Dynamics integrates environmentally friendly practices by repurposing wine by-products, while Apex focuses on amplifying production for international reach. This strategy aims to position Canada as a leader in plant-based food innovation and address the increasing global demand for sustainable and nutritious food options. A notable $6.3 million has been committed to this venture, with $2.8 million from Protein Industries Canada and the balance from the involved partners. This investment reflects a robust confidence in the potential of Canadian plant-based foods in the international marketplace. The project’s launch was marked by a tasting event in Toronto, showcasing the innovative high-protein products set to be available across North American and overseas retail locations. The event aligned with the commencement of Plant-Based Food Week and underscored Canada's capabilities in ingredient processing and food manufacturing. Officials, including the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne and executives from the collaborating companies, expressed enthusiasm about the project's potential. They highlighted its role in not only advancing Canada's food technology but also in enhancing the nutritional value and taste of plant-based proteins, thereby providing superior alternatives to traditional meat products.

New Holland Agriculture introduces the ProBelt 450 Premium Round Baler with IntelliBale technology, a machine built for heavy-duty use and intelligent farming operations. Farms.com spoke with Noah Pendry, Field Marketing Specialist with New Holland about the ProBelt. Pendry says the ProBelt 450 is “built for business” and is designed for long-lasting performance, and features enhanced components throughout the machine. This includes heavy-duty bearings, sprockets, chains, and gearboxes to ensure smooth operation even in abrasive conditions. The baler comes equipped with two double rollers and four endless belts, all covered by a three-year warranty. Customers can choose between a standard pickup, a super feed model with no knives, or a crop cutter with either 13 or 25 knives depending on their needs. The pickup also comes with a three-year / 22,000 bale warranty, and the entire machine is backed by a two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. The ProBelt 450 Premium Round Baler is compatible with ISOBUS tractors. An ISOBUS compatible monitor is available for tractors without this functionality, allowing for plug-and-play operation and a user-friendly touchscreen interface. Even if you do not have ISOBUS, an ISOBUS compatible monitor can be used. One of the key highlights of the ProBelt 450 is its intelligent baling system, known as IntelliBale. This system can automatically stop the tractor, wrap the bale, and eject it without any input from the operator. However, IntelliBale requires a compatible tractor with specific features. When properly equipped, IntelliBale offers several benefits. It ensures consistent bale size by stopping the tractor precisely when the bale is full. It also minimizes operator fatigue by automating repetitive tasks like opening the tailgate. The automatic sequence also reduces baling time by eliminating delays between cycles. The New Holland ProBelt 450 Premium Round Baler is a strong contender for farmers seeking a durable and intelligent baling solution. Its heavy-duty build promises long-lasting performance, while the IntelliBale system offers significant improvements in efficiency and operator comfort. Watch the video below to learn more about the New Holland ProBelt 450 and IntelliBale technology.

As planting season approaches, many farmers prepare to apply anhydrous ammonia, a common yet hazardous chemical used in agriculture. While racing against weather and time, prioritizing safety is crucial to prevent serious accidents. When working with anhydrous ammonia, always wear safety goggles and gloves; contact lenses are not advisable. Ensure you have at least 5 gallons of clean emergency water nearby in case of exposure. Be cautious during the connection and disconnection of lines. It's vital to assume that lines always contain anhydrous ammonia. Always work upwind to avoid direct exposure, and securely close and bleed lines when taking breaks or after use. Additionally, keep equipment well away and downwind from homes, people, and animals to avoid accidental exposure. Regular maintenance of equipment is also important. Never assume that NH3 lines are empty, and always have safety water accessible while performing maintenance. Transporting anhydrous ammonia requires careful attention too. When moving a nurse tank, maintain a speed limit of 30 miles per hour, ensure the tank is visibly marked with a slow-moving vehicle emblem, and secure the tank with two independent chains. In case of an accident or spill, it's imperative to call emergency services immediately at 911 and then contact the appropriate local authorities.

Don't let outbreaks turn into a potentialepidemic. Active cases of PDCOV and PED have risen sharply in Ontario. All producers and their business partners visiting the farm are strongly encouraged to increase biosecurity vigilance, particularly as we approach planting season where risk of transmission through manure movement is increased. Report all potential cases to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Additional information is linked below. Disease updatefor producers Disease updatefor transporters Case counts can be viewed on thePED/PDCOV Tracking Mapand onSHARC.

GUELPH, ONTARIO – The Ontario Pork Board of Directors welcomes incoming Chair Tara Terpstra, a producer from Huron County and Vice-Chair Bruce Hudson, a producer from Ottawa Valley. Both have deep roots in the farming community and share an interest in advancing the industry. Terpstra previously served as Vice-Chair of Ontario Pork, while Hudson served as an active member of the Board. Former Board Chair John de Bruyn completed his term after serving as Chair for 13 years. Philip Van Raay, TJ Murray, and Eric Schwindt will serve as at large Board member positions. They join other board members Karen Sanders, Tanya Terpstra, Arno Schober, and Jolanda Van Den Broek. “I’m deeply honoured and excited to embark on this journey”, said Terpstra. “Serving as the Chair of Ontario Pork offers a unique chance to champion the needs of pork producers in animal care, risk management, processing, and other areas. I look forward to working with pork producers and industry on fostering collaboration and unity within the pork sector, as we navigate the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities to create a thriving, sustainable future for all involved.”

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic and protozoan parasite that infects more than one-third of the global human population. Warm-blooded animals can act as hosts but only members of the cat family, such as domestic cats, act as the definitive hosts and have the potential to shed oocysts (infective eggs) into the environment. Human infection occurs through the ingestion of sporulated eggs from the environment (eg kitty litter) or from tissue cysts in undercooked or raw meat from livestock. Occasionally infection can come from ingestion of water or food that contains sporulated oocysts. People with a competent immune system may have mild flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. The consequences of T. gondii infection may be more severe in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Transplacental transmission of T. gondii may result in spontaneous abortion, premature birth, stillbirth, or neurological or ocular damage to the foetus. Eye lesions from congenital infection are often not identified at birth but occur in 20 to 80% of congenitally infected persons by adulthood . These public health researchers from the Netherlands wanted to revisit the prevalence and risk factors for T gondii infection in the Netherlands. A cross-sectional study conducted in samples collected 2016/2017 was designed similarly to the previous two studies (1995/1996 and 2006/2007) and included a questionnaire and serum sampling among Dutch residents.

https://ofa.on.ca/newsroom/ontario-farm-leaders-meet-with-provincial-politicians/">Ethan Wallace, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture; Photo by Akshayan on Unsplash Taxation, support for local food, and rural infrastructure needs will be on the agenda this week as Ontario farmers head to Toronto to meet with provincial politicians as part of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) government outreach efforts at Queen’s Park. As an advocacy organization, OFA has ongoing meetings and communications with provincial ministers, political staff, and bureaucrats on issues that are important to the agriculture sector and rural communities. At the local level, many OFA members also regularly meet with the MPP from their ridings. It’s not as often, however, that we have the chance to sit down face-to-face with a broader spectrum of provincial politicians from all major political parties, including those who represent urban ridings without any rural constituents or connections. An in-person meeting, for example, with an MPP from a downtown Toronto riding is a unique opportunity for both sides to learn about what matters to the other, and we often discover that we have more in common than we think. Housing, homelessness, and food insecurity aren’t just urban issues; by comparison, roads, bridges, and social infrastructure don’t just need attention in rural Ontario. I’m a dairy farmer near Lake Huron, and as someone very passionate about our industry, I look forward every year to this opportunity to share that passion, make connections, and show how the OFA can be an important ally on issues like housing, healthcare, jobs, food security, and climate change. This will be my third time participating in OFA’s advocacy day at Queen’s Park, and while I always enjoy the official meetings with MPPs, the end-of-day reception also offers the opportunity for more informal conversations. It was at that reception last year that I got talking with an urban MPP who had met with some of my OFA colleagues earlier in the day, and he had a newfound understanding of agriculture and why our sector matters to Ontario. For me, that’s the reason why we do this—to build that awareness and make those connections with people we wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to meet. As in previous years, the OFA team will be joined at Queen’s Park this year by younger farmers who are also emerging leaders in our industry. It’s an opportunity for elected officials to also hear from younger, grassroots voices and for the next generation of leaders to experience advocacy and outreach firsthand. In fact, my own first participation in this event was as a young leader in 2021, and it’s that experience that helped convince me to let my name stand for a provincial director position later that year. So what are the burning issues on the minds of farmers this spring that we’ll be taking to Queen’s Park? Taxation: the burden of the federal carbon tax and the added costs it places on farm businesses and food production are significant. Provincially, we also struggle with d

Conservative MPs used part of question period on April 8 to pressure the Liberals to provide Canadians and farmers carbon tax relief. Jasraj Singh Hallan, the MP for Calgary Forest Lawn, asked if the upcoming federal budget will include Bill C-234’s removal. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault responded citing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s experience with the Canada carbon rebate. “Guess what? She lives in rural Alberta, so she gets even more,” Boissonnault said. Leslyn Lewis, the Conservative MP for Haldimand-Norfolk, also pressed the government about Bill C-234, asking them to pass the bill in its original form. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson provided the response, repeating that eight out of 10 Canadian families receive more than they pay in the carbon tax. On April 9, Michael Kram, the Conservative MP for Regina-Wascana, asked if the government would pass Bill C-234 in its original form to provide carbon tax relief for farmers. Minister Wilkinson responded, reminding the House that farmers have exemptions. “Mr. Speaker, again, it is important to ensure we are dealing with the facts,” he said. “Ninety-seven per cent of on-f

A multi-institutional team, of scientists is exploring the potential of using the levels of stress hormones deposited in the hair of pigs to determine which genetic lines will be more or less able to ward off disease. Researchers with Iowa State University, the Universities of Saskatchewan and Alberta and CDPQ, with funding from PigGen Canada, Genome Alberta, Genome Prairie and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are measuring the levels of stress hormones in the hair of pigs to evaluate the effect of stress on disease resilience and performance. Dr. Jack Dekkers, a distinguished professor in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, says the goal is to develop methods by which genetic companies can determine a pig's disease resilience without exposing it to disease. Quote-Dr. Jack Dekkers-Iowa State University: We all know from our own experiences that if we get stressed we are more susceptible to disease.If we get stressed the immune system gets activated and it is less able to respond to viruses or bacteria.We know that animals respond to stress and disease.They go hand in hand.They are interwoven pathways in terms of how an animal responds to different external factors and they are very important. We know that disease is one of the most important cost factors in swine production.We also know that stress can have a huge impact and both stress and disease have huge implications for animal welfare and ultimately if we have animals that are less resistant to disease, we need to use more veterinary treatments, antibiotics, the danger of resistance of pathogens to antibiotics.Ultimately it can also have an impact on human health. Dr. Dekkers says by correlating the levels of stress hormones in the hair to growth performance and disease resilience it should be possible to calculate which genetic lines of pigs will be more or less affected by stress.

The Executive Director of the Canadian Pork Council warns consumers will end up paying more for their pork as the result of U.S. voluntary country of origin labelling. Last month U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced voluntary country of original labelling, or V-COOL, will come into effect by January 1, 2026. Under the new voluntary rule, the use of "Product of USA" or “Made in the USA” label claims on meat, poultry and egg products will only be allowed when those products are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Canadian Pork Council Executive Director Stephen Heckbert says the concern is that this very prescriptive approach to labelling will disrupt the ability of pork producers in Canada and the U.S. to work together, limit the movement of pigs and products across the border and drive up pork prices. Quote-Stephen Heckbert-Canadian Pork Council: This is the U.S. government.The politicians are elected by American citizens so this is a case where working with U.S. pork producers is probably our number one thing that we have to do.This is a U.S. regulatory change and we've got to figure out how to work with American producers to see if we can't get these regulations to be more in line with what actually works. Secretary Vilsack has been interested in this for a long time.I've got to confess; I do not understand the politics of it from his perspective but he's a former governor of Iowa so he must think there's a reason why this is beneficial but it is a solution that has created a whole bunch of new problems.Our hope is that eventually common sense prevails and people understand that it is not going to deliver for consumers. The number one problem with this is that at the end of the day it's consumers who are going to pay more.Budgets are tight, times are tough and any government that says they're really concerned about costs to consumers should be doing everything it can to reduce costs to consumers not increase them. Heckbert says the hope is that this matter can be resolved at the trade table rather than through a World Trade Organization challenge, as was the case with U.S. mandatory country of origin labelling which was repealed following a successful WTO challenge.

The Associate Director of the Swine Health Information Center suggests a consistent focus on biosecurity remains the first line of defence against the spread of infectious diseases among pigs. As part of its monthly Enewsletter the swine health Information Center has released its domestic and global swine disease monitoring reports for April. SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says this month’s report examines the continued high prevalence of PRRS in the wean-to-market category in some states, a decrease in the percentage of positive submissions of the enteric coronaviruses, mainly in the wean-to-market category, and a substantial increase of Influenza A virus in the wean-to-market category. Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center: PRRS is still one of our predominant diseases and the reason we see a lot of case submissions.Some of the good news is we're seeing a reduction in incidents for our sow farms but we are still seeing a high level of case submissions for wean to market finish animals and some of the states that are seeing some issues are Indiana and Iowa. However, in talking to some of our domestic disease experts, some of that may be due to a change in strategy and the focus more on the wean to market pig submissions.Also, we are seeing again some cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, even though they are starting to reduce, especially with warmer weather. But, there are some areas of regional activity such as in Kansas and so that's always something to continue to monitor especially when we have a lot of trucks moving around. Lastly, influenza is something that we're still continuing to monitor.There are some cases that are being submitted above expected so that's also another thing that will be really good to monitor because influenza doesn't seem like it's seasonal anymore. Dr. Becton says biosecurity remains our first line of defence against any of these diseases.She says the challenge of working in cold weather is starting to diminish but its important to keep up the focus because diseases still transmit any time of year.

The Swine Health Information Center has introduced new influenza A virus state-level monitoring dashboard.The Swine Health Information Center's domestic disease monitoring report, released as part of its April eNewsletter, indicates influenza A virus positivity increased substantially in the wean-to-market category in February, with 51 percent the positive cases being lung submissions. To help pork producers keep on top of influenza A, SHIC has introduced its new influenza A virus state-level monitoring dashboard.SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says the influenza A monitoring dashboard is a great resource. Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center: It can actually show aggregate data of where influenza is by the state level and it can show that detection over time as well as characterize it by what specimen was submitted, what age group and then again show that graphically in a geographical area.Because influenza isn't seasonal, it really is important to understand where is the activity and where are animals being submitted from that are seeing high caseloads? There are some cases that are being submitted a bit above expected and so that's also another thing that will be really good to monitor because influenza doesn't seem like it's seasonal anymore.This is also important because we are going to be going into fair season so we'll have a lot of exhibitions going on. We have a lot of people and pig interactions and so it's really important to monitor pig health, especially when people are considering taking their pigs to a fair or to another place where there exhibitions.All around, it really is going to be a resource that we've not had before to get a more national picture of where influenza is occurring. Dr. Becton stresses biosecurity remains our first line of defence against any disease and, although the challenge of working in cold weather is starting to diminish, it's always important to stay focused on biosecurity because disease still transmits any time of year.

Manitoba Pork recently highlighted some of the top producers during their Pork Quality Competition. The event held during the Manitoba Winter Fair gives producers the opportunity to showcase their operations and the high-quality, sustainably produced pork raised here in Manitoba. The winners of this year's Pork Quality Competition: Grand Champion and 1st Place - Wellwood Colony Reserve Champion and 2nd Place - Sprucewoods Colony 3rd Place - Boundary Lane Colony Winning charities benefiting from this year's winners include the Neepawa Hospital and the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team.

Byline- Braxten Breen, Farms.com Intern No need to purchase multiple pieces of hand-held lawn care equipment anymore, quickly disconnect and reconnect attachments with Makita’s split shaft multi-tool system. With the 40V MAX XGT Split Shaft Power Unit, farmers will be able to use up to 13 different attachments, ranging from line trimmers, pole saws, hedge trimmers, blowers, and much more. The split shaft features 3-speed options for active power management giving the farm versatility for the variety of tasks being tackled on the farm. Farmers can easily adjust the speed level with the 3-speed push button control. Speed Options: Low – 5,700 RPM’s Medium – 8,200 RPM’s High – 9,700 RPM’s Makita equipped this Split Shaft with a soft start feature, meaning once the machine has started the speed will gradually increase to eliminate start up shock. Along with reverse mode, it allows unwanted debris to be entangled and cleared from the cutting head. Safety features on the Split Shaft consist of Star Protection with 3 active controls for current, voltage, and temperature, just in case of an overload, also to increase the farmer’s safety an electric brake has been added as well. The Split Shaft from Makita can attach 13 different lawn care attachments for tasks on the farm.

Kinze Manufacturing introduces 5670, its newest innovation in split row planting technology. This feature-rich planter boasts a new toolbar design with increased height for better residue flow. The 5670 also introduces a new push row unit configuration, building upon Kinze's over 40 years of experience in this area. Brad Niensteadt, Senior Product Specialist with Kinze, says the planter is available in two configurations: 12/23 and 16/31. The 12-row configuration offers a bulk fill capacity of 80 bushels, while the 16-row option provides a generous 120 bushels of seed capacity. Niensteadt says that a significant addition to the 5670 is the factory-installed liquid fertilizer option with 300 gallons for the 12 and 16-row configurations. This innovative system allows for application rates between two and 25 gallons per acre at speeds ranging from three to 12 miles per hour. Another key feature according to Niensteadt is the automatic tank leveling system, which prevents fertilizer overflow on uneven terrain. This system automatically transfers fertilizer from the lower tank to the higher tank, ensuring efficient application. The 5670 offers a wide range of additional options, including Blue Vantage controlled air- adjustable row cleaners, pneumatic closing wheels, and various fertilizer opener configurations. Notably, the 5670 is the first Kinze planter with bulk seed to feature two by two fertilizer openers for split row application. Kinze has equipped the 5670 with several standard features to minimize maintenance requirements. These include double bushing parallel arms, shimless greaseless gauge wheel arms, and standard spool gauge wheels. The standard variable displacement PTO pump ensures compatibility with most tractors, requiring only two remotes for operation. With its innovative design, advanced features, and user-friendly operation, the Kinze 5670 promises to be an asset for farmers seeking to optimize their split row planting operations. Watch the video below to learn more about Kinze 5670 Pivot Fold, Split Row Planter.

J Cole Sanford, Cash Crop Product Specialist for New Holland, recently showcased the all-new CR11 Combine to the Farms.com audience, a significant launch for model year 2025. This machine underscores New Holland's commitment to innovation, offering a fresh perspective on reducing the total cost of harvesting. Sanford says the CR11 combines efficiency and productivity in a way that revolutionizes the agricultural machinery industry. The CR11 is built on a foundation of cutting-edge design, starting with a blank slate to rethink harvesting efficiency. Central to its design are twin 24-inch rotors and a powerful engine boasting 775 horsepower, coupled with a generous grain tank capacity of 567 bushels. Sanford says one of the standout features is the all-new designed residue system capable of spreading up to 60 feet, ensuring an even distribution critical for next year's crop. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive shares Sanford, highlighting the CR11's incorporation of new technologies that make it the most productive combine New Holland has ever built. The innovative twin rotor system and a redesigned cleaning system ensure optimal flow and distribution of crops, adjusting automatically to reduce losses regardless of terrain or crop load. A groundbreaking addition to the CR11 is its radar sensing residue system, which automatically adjusts the spread of chaff and residue to match the width of the header or the impact of wind conditions. This feature ensures full coverage without the need for operator input, allowing the driver to focus on the tasks at hand. Moreover, the CR11 is equipped to handle the demands of larger machines and higher capacities, with a focus on larger grain tanks to accommodate higher yields explains Sanford. The machine's unload auger system operates at an impressive six bushels per second, significantly reducing downtime in the field. In partnership with MacDon, New Holland also introduces the FD250, a 50-foot header that complements the CR11's capabilities, enhancing throughput and efficiency even further. This combination promises a seamless, high-performance harvesting experience. Watch the video below to learn more about New Holland's CR11 Combine.