50 Ate Today? Thank a Farmer. Better Farming | December 2023 loaded spreader to the farm and then determined that it would not off-load due to mechanical failure. Minimum tillage has become a major factor in reducing tillage time, as well as providing better erosion control. This action has also supported the need for one big combine. The field-going grain buggies that many of us used are now almost non-existent. My work-sharing neighbour and I used one for many years to keep a small grain truck on the road or in the lineup at the local grain drying/ storage elevator. Many on-farm drying/storage systems have been built in recent years to eliminate the wait times at local elevators. The other alternative has been to buy a high-capacity semitruck or multi-large wagon that can basically hold a day’s harvest. When we took over the Thomson family farm, no part of it was systematically tiled. Drainage became a high priority before any vegetable crops could be grown safely without serious soil compaction. Commitments were then made to grow both peas and sweet corn, but only after the land had been drained. Pea harvest on saturated soil is not a recommended practice! These adjustments have allowed many of us rural people to stay on the farm and enjoy the environment that we have been used to for most of our lives. Yes, I spent a number of years in Ridgetown and Toronto, but I was glad to get the opportunity to return to my wife’s family farm. Many people asked me if I was okay giving up a secure job with Ontario Hydro to return to farm. The answer was always yes. While there have been significant changes to the farm operation over the years, all the technological advances provided a positive return to rural life. BF How it Works RALPH WINFIELD Ralph is a retired professional engineer, farmer and technical writer. He has a BSA, BASc, and an MSA in engineering from the University of Toronto. This operator’s manual, while simple, was and still is a very useful method of guiding the owner or operator of the Ford 8N tractor. Ralph Winfield photo
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