Unfortunately, I found myself in just such a situation recently. And while most folks were buried in a newspaper or playing on their phone, I found myself staring at the myriad of activities below each of the planes.

Of course, the baggage handlers are probably the most noticeable (and for the life of me I don’t understand how that system works). But what I did notice is the inspection crew, often the pilot, walking around the aircraft. Methodically, the plane was given a visual inspection.

Throughout my trip, I would watch as airplanes of all sizes would be inspected in much the same way. Sure, you’re not flying folks far and wide. But ensuring you catch something before it becomes a problem could be as easy as a visual inspection.

Do you do the same thing when before you enter a tractor cab? Do you take that methodical walk around to visually review your equipment? And do you do it EVERY time?

Related Reading:

• A safety checklist
• A lesson in maintenance
• 10 Tips to Cut Combine Breakdowns

In its monthly Flash Report, AEM says 12,107 tractors in the under 40-hp category were sold in April 2012. Sales in the 40 to under-100 hp category were equally as strong, up 11.9 percent for the month. Sales in the 100+ hp category were down slightly, 3.6 percent, compared to the same month a year ago.

For the year, sales in the under-40 hp category are 6.6 percent higher compared to last year at this time, up 5.8 percent in the 40 to under-100 hp category, and up slightly (0.1 percent) in the 100+ hp category.

Four-wheel drive sales were down for the month, 4.6 percent, compared to a year ago, and are off 2.2 percent year to date.

Self-propelled combine sales continue to lag last year’s pace, down 23.6 percent for the month, and down 38.6 percent year to date.

Any buying in your future?

Related Reading:

• Sales of 4WD tractors jump in March
• Talk about a sales surge

The issue becomes even more frustrating when you’re dealing with expensive electronics in your farm equipment. But the industry is working together to develop a common solution.

It’s called PlugFest, put on by the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation. “AEF leads ag electronics standardization, which reduces end users’ equipment downtime and provides customers assurance of equipment compatibility,” according to this report from the latest PlugFest.

It’s a global effort, where electronic engineering experts worldwide meet to test and fine-tune equipment compatibility. And hopefully, make your life a little bit easier.

What’s been your most frustrating electronic compatibility issue?

Related Reading: Getting along in the electronic world

Of course, forecasts can be wrong. But, taken as a whole, it is very difficult to make major decisions about your farm without having some idea of what may happen in the future.

One of the most watched, and most important, forecasts for agriculture is yield estimates. And while there is no shortage of experts willing to offer you their opinion, the one that everyone watches is the USDA. And Tuesday, the May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates indicated that we will be in for a very busy fall.

According to the report, “Corn production for 2012/13 is projected at a record 14.8 billion bushels, up 2.4 billion from 2011/12. A projected 5.1-million acre increase in harvested area and higher expected yields, compared with 2011/12, sharply boost production prospects. The 2012/13 corn yield is projected at a record 166.0 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above the 1990-2010 trend, reflecting the rapid pace of planting and emergence.”

Of course, a lot can happen between now and harvest. And I know that no producer is banking on record yields this early. But if this holds true, the pressure at harvest will be immense to get this very large crop in from the field.

This will also put huge pressures on equipment. More crop means more hours in the field, so it will be imperative that everything in your harvest system is in top working order. Because harvest will be here before you know it.

When do you start your harvest preparation?

Related Reading:

• Getting the Combine Ready For Fall Harvest
• Are Your Combine and Grain Cart Tires Harvest-Ready?

Of course, we all look to minimize those drops, and prepare for them. With corn planting setting all sorts of records (and soybean planting already in full swing in some areas), we are off to a great start. But there is a note of caution.

That’s right: pests and diseases have also been enjoying an early spring, and experts say there is the potential for increased disease and insect pressure.

“Below-freezing temperatures normally kill most pests and diseases or sets them back a bit,” says Paula Davis, Pioneer senior manager for insect and disease traits. “Given this year’s mild winter conditions, however, we might see insect and disease activity earlier and more of it.”

What to do: scout, scout and scout. “The importance of scouting the fields for insect pests has never been greater.”

Have you seen any earlier-than-normal disease or insect pressure?

Related Reading:

• A high-tech insect trap
• Top 10 Tips for Pesticide Spraying

Nowadays they probably don’t have the “wow” factor they once did, but companies continue to refine their track designs to make them more versatile and easier to service.

New Holland gave the media an up-close view of its SmartTrax track option. According to an article at Farm Industry News, “SmartTrax is a premium-priced offering but has a lot of features that balance out that cost. One of those is its single-wheel design, which allows you to bolt the tracks onto the same axle as the tires. This design allows you to switch out wheels for tracks, depending on field conditions.”

It’s an interesting concept that’s sure to generate a lot of interest.

Have you integrated any tracked vehicles into your operation? What’s been the upside (and downside)?

Related Reading: Tires or tracks?

Well, we were surprised when a co-worker made a suggestion regarding office layout. We thought “no way will that come to pass” since it involved time and money. We knew they were listening when one weekend we were moving desks.

It wasn’t an elaborate system, nor was it a major improvement, but it solidified my belief that if you have a suggestion or comment, write it down and send it off. And maybe, like Mike Dimit, you might get an entire company project named after yourself.

At a recent presentation at Titan Tire, the company continued to refer to its Dimit Project, Titan Tire’s project to identify and improve its tires ability to handle stubble damage. It’s named for Mark Dimit, a farmer from near Grinnell, Iowa, who first came to Titan about the stubble problem.

We’ve had several blogs on tire stubble damage, and efforts to keep it in check. But this is some great background, and one example, of how a suggestion can be so powerful.

Ever had your own suggestion?

Related Reading:

• Stubble Damage Causing Headaches for Industry, Producers
• Top 10 Trends in Farm Tires

Many of my friends decided not to return to their home farm, instead opting for a different career path. And while there were a few who did return, it definitely was a struggle.

Flash forward to today, and ag is the “it” market, whether you are from a farm or urban area.

Want an example? We don’t need to look any further than the recent financial results released by CNH Global. For the first quarter of 2012, “net sales increased 22% (25% on a constant currency basis) to $4.6 billion as a result of solid trading conditions for agricultural machinery (on the back of increased planted acreage driven by firm commodity prices) and construction equipment (driven largely by increased demand in the Americas). Equipment Operations posted an Operating Profit of $406 million as a result of higher revenues, increased industrial utilization, improved product mix, and improved net pricing.”

Those are some impressive numbers. And positive results are being seen sector wide.

It’s also an encouraging result, showing that agriculture is rightly taking its place as a leading market sector.

So what’s been your sign of a strong agricultural market sector?

Related Reading:

• A white-hot market
• Talk about a sales surge

According to Jim Allen, vice president for sales and marketing at Titan, a strong equipment market is creating some very high demand for tractor tires.

Once again, another indicator of the strength in the agricultural sector.

Have you had any problems securing new tires?

Related Reading:

• Sales of 4WD tractors jump in March
• Talk about a sales surge

But you will have to bid for it. Case is donating what it calls “Red Power” to the National FFA Foundation and putting the machine up for auction. It is a Case model SV250 skid steer with exclusive features including added dual chrome exhaust stacks, custom eight-spoke pattern wheels with chrome center caps and lugs, tinted cab windows and a custom red leather seat. Red LED lighting illuminates the skid steer’s undercarriage, the rear add-on counterweights, the operator compartment and the loader arm. The cab also features indirect LED lighting and LED spots in the AC vents.

A video showcasing the skid steer is available here.

It’s a great way to support the National FFA Foundation, and get a custom piece of equipment on your farm. However, I don’t think with a machine like this you’d be doing any barn work. It’s meant for cruising.

Have you participated in a benefit auction?

Related Reading:

• Case IH to use Selective Catalytic Reduction technology to meet Tier 4B engine emission standards
• New Tractor Cabs: The Latest in Creature Comforts