10 Better Farming | October 2024 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON As the colder months approach, many Ontario producers begin to think about new farm equipment. And of course, acquisitions always depend on what the budget allows. But this month, Better Farming asked producers to dream a bit. What equipment would you buy if your budget was unlimited – and how that would benefit your farming operation? Some 83 per cent of farmers told us they would purchase new planting and harvesting machinery, while 16.6 per cent would buy storage and drying equipment. Jessica, Elgin County: “Equipment to diversify our crops and additional storage bins. Being limited to traditional conventional crops is not sustainable. However, the cost of specialty equipment is not attainable.” Michel, Russell County: “Corn dryer and storage space for my crop.” Brianna, Lanark County: “New hay and crop planting and harvesting equipment. We are just finishing the farm succession transfer and need to update.” Nellie, Oxford County: “A new combine, so we can get our crops off in a timely manner.” Geoff, Bruce County: “New planting equipment, so we could improve seed placement and have variable rate technology with individual row shutoffs to minimize overlap.” Jon, Niagara Region: “John Deere 8RX 410 on 120” wheel spacing, for controlled traffic, low ground PSI, and for fun.” Lloyd, Bruce County: “New truck and loader tractor; mine are getting a bit older.” Bill, Elgin County: “Planter, ground- working equipment.” Ken, Niagara Region: “A new combine.” Daniel, Simcoe County: “A forestry mulcher, to make more acres productive.” Doug, Middlesex County: “I would choose to modernize and upsize our tractors and tillage equipment.” Larry, Brant County: “A 120 hp tractor.” Jon, Dufferin County: “Larger grain dryer, elevators and overhead bins. They save time and increase efficiency.” Allan, Oxford County: “A Kinze split row planter.” Barclay, Wellington County: “A potato harvester. As my business grows, doing things by hand gets harder.” BF Digging Deeper SO LET’S SAY YOU WON THE LOTTERY … With an unlimited budget, what’s on your farm-machinery shopping list? By Mary Loggan Many farmers would modernize their farm equipment given the opportunity. New Holland photo
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc0MDI3