Lethbridge Iron Works, Orthman Manufacturing Earn Ag Equipment’s Top Metalcasting Conversion Honor

May 02, 2024

Creative use of the metalcasting process on row-cleaner shoe assembly placed the iron exactly where needed & delivered Orthman Manufacturing with a 35% cost savings

A visit to the American Foundry Society’s Metalcasting Congress last week in Milwaukee turned up equipment design news for Nebraska-based Orthman Manufacturing, and ductile iron casting supplier Lethbridge Iron Works of Alb., Canada. An independent panel of judges recognized the Lethbridge part as the “best example of a casting conversion” and was on display for AFS’ national event that drew close to 3,000 attendees. It was also the only ag equipment application honored among the annual Casting of the Year program.

Dylan Bruins, Business Development Lead of Alberta-based Lethbridge Iron Works, described the award-winning row cleaner shoe application. “It’s a component to hold a pair of concave ground-engaging discs at a specific angle for crop residue removal and features holes to adjust the disc width based on field conditions. The entire assembly pivots about a cast hole with design features to attach a constant-pressure assembly.”

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Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.