Future of farm equipment may be smaller

Apr 27, 2023

The evolution of ag equipment has been massive over the past few generations. But things beyond the machinery itself have had some of the biggest impacts on farmers.

“Auto steer has probably added years to my career,” southeast Iowa farmer Stan Nelson said.

The advancement of technology that has allowed farmers to take their focus off simply holding the steering wheel has been a stress-saver for Nelson, not just mentally but physically. Keeping the planter straight can be a challenge, particularly when winds or bumps push the tractor around, but also when looking back to make sure nothing is going wrong during the planting process.

Safety is something Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in ag engineering, said has been one of the biggest growth aspects of ag equipment in his years working in the field.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.