In AEM’s May 2013 Flash Report, total two-wheel drive farm tractor sales were up more than 22 percent over May 2012. Sales in the under-40 hp category were the strongest, but sales in the 100+ hp category were up 19 percent, and the 40 to under-100 hp also saw a strong month. For the year, sales are more than 12 percent over 2012’s pace, led by the 100+ hp category, which is 27 percent higher than the same period a year ago.

Combine sales are also moving along quite strong, up 31 percent for the month, and up more than 50 percent compared to May 2012.

It will be interesting to see if planting delays and wet weather will put a damper on this enthusiasm, but early indications are that it will be another banner year for tractor and combine sales.

Do you have any new iron in the barn?

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Now I know that once something is on the Internet it’s available again and again, but with the bounty of information flowing on a daily basis, this system is a good reminder.

It’s not unique, and I know several producers who use a similar system when it comes to new tractors.

Well, here’s one to add to your portfolio.

According to this article, “New Holland has brought back the Genesis name to a tractor model. The Genesis T8 is the largest fixed frame tractor the company offers, and will top out with the T8.420 with a peak horsepower rating of 419 hp, and a 367 hp rating.”

I’m sure there are other new tractor introductions coming this summer, and you’ll be able to take a look at the upcoming farm shows.

What new product introductions are you looking for?

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• Is The Tractor You’re Bidding on a Lemon?
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But as with most things on the farm, it can often be the smallest things that can have a major impact. And here’s a prime example of something very small: spray nozzles.

According to this article from Ohio State University: “Choosing the right type of sprayer nozzle can make a huge difference in how effective pesticides are during a growing season and whether growers have to re-spray their fields or in some cases, replant.”

The article says that the difference can be “between a 25 to 50 percent increase in yields or a 25 to 50 percent decline.”

It’s worth a second thought. And here’s a handy quiz for choosing the right sprayer nozzle.

Is your sprayer ready to go?

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Today’s information tools are extremely powerful, and can be invaluable at times like these. At your fingertips is real-time information on helping you make these important decisions.

While you probably have your own network of sources, I thought I’d pass along a couple of sources I saw over the weekend that may be of further assistance.

From Iowa State University, Roger Elmore and his colleagues provide some excellent information on what to consider when planting, or replanting, corn. It’s a very detailed article that provides some solid decision-making information. Here is part 2 of the article.

And this blog post from the University of Wisconsin give you some things to consider when planting corn later in the season. The cartoon at the top of the post is priceless.

So how late is your planting progress?

Case in point: Have you ever watched someone complain that their smartphone won’t download a video that they can share with their friends? Think about it: 10 years ago you’d need a boatload of equipment and a good amount of time to do what today can be accomplished with a few taps. And yet if the connection is slow, or you’re in a “dead area” of coverage, the complaints come.

Agriculture is much the same way. We’re at a level now where technology surrounds our even most basic tasks…yet are we really embracing how far we’ve come?

I found this blog posting of great interest, and a good reminder of how far we’ve come.

“Precision agriculture technology has become so commonplace that the “gee whiz” factor is long gone. It’s now taken for granted as part of agriculture’s evolution toward greater efficiency and productiveness,” writes Hembree Brandon.

What’s your gee-whiz moment on the farm?

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• Using Precision Ag to Save Time and Money on Your Corn and Soybean Farm
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Agriculture continues to shine on the world’s stage, and it looks as if that trend will continue, according to the Agritech Business Barometer from the Agrievolution Alliance, an international coalition of ag equipment manufacturing associations.

Here’s some nuggets from the report:

• For the first time in the survey’s history, most Japanese manufacturers have a positive outlook on the market.
• The boom in the Indian and Brazilian markets was confirmed.
• Half of the companies surveyed in the U.S. expect to see sales growth in the next six months, while the rest expect to at least maintain the high level reached in 2012.
• More cautious voices come from Europe, where some markets are declining.

While there’s no perfect crystal ball, it’s a good indication that we will continue to see global strength in the ag market.

What’s your optimism level?

Related Reading:

• Farm machinery goes worldwide
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And today, I find myself spending time not only honing my skills on the equipment I have, but reading and researching the “next big thing” that could once again shift the way I work.

Agriculture is no different. Technology has, in many ways, changed the way farmers work and do business. And it’s continuing to advance, so keeping ahead of the curve is imperative.

While catching up on some reading this week, I came across this article from the Ag Equipment Technology Conference. It’s a meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and is “tailored around agricultural engineers who want to learn about the latest advancements in power equipment.”

The article lists the major topics discussed and how these innovations will find their way to the farm.

It’s a great read.

What innovations do you want to see on the farm?

Related Reading: Photo Gallery! 20 Technologies Changing Agriculture

But I saw this warning flag recently and wanted to pass it along. According to the article, “Mild winter temperatures may have aided the survival of overwintering pests and diseases, which could impact crop yields if not discovered and controlled. Regular scouting and field evaluation is a wise practice this coming growing season.”

Further: “Growers should scout for the typical early- and mid-season pests this year,” says Paula Davis, DuPont Pioneer senior manager for insect and disease traits. “For corn pests, growers should be looking for black cutworm and corn rootworm. In soybean crops, bean leaf beetle, soybean aphids and brown marmorated stinkbugs may be a problem.”

So what pests are you concerned about this year?

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Of course, it’s not possible to be at every show. And I know most of you had planting chores that took top billing. But thanks to the Internet, we are able to travel just about anywhere.

The folks at Farm Industry News were recently at the Ag Machinery Conference in Waterloo, Iowa, and filed an excellent report on what they saw. Everything from a new Ford truck to greaseless bearings was featured.

It’s well worth a break to take a look at some of what they saw.

What’s your go-to conference or show of the year?

Related Reading: SIMA Paris Farm Show Gallery

But what questions do you ask and evaluate? I found this information from the American Bankers Association of interest.

It’s basically a checklist of the questions you need to ask before purchasing farmland.

And while some of the questions may seem basic, I think they offer you the opportunity (if you are in the market) to give you and your operation a self-evaluation. And it’s not just a yes-no checklist. There’s some pencil-pushing involved…but it’s a great way to gauge your operation.

What questions do you ask before major purchases?

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