2009 Farm Ranch Management

HAY CUBES—McHay, Inc., Elgin, Okla., primarily markets No. 1 quality western horse hay in “ease rite bales,” alfalfa cubes and corrugated paper bedding products for the equine and livestock industry. The company has completed construction on its new baling plant with the installation of new slicing, baling, cubing and bedding production equipment. Forage cubes are gaining popularity as an alternative to feeding longstem hay.

Midwest Mowers, Inc., Cimarron, Kan., recently debuted the Wegele 60 front deck mower, which joins its little brother, the Wegele, known for some 60 years for its durability and ability to mow the toughest weeds and brush.

>Wilson Trailer, Grand Island, Neb., recently added a night shift to its six-bay repair facility.

This allows customers to have repairs completed overnight, which keeps them trucking during the daytime.

FENCE POST PULLER—Koyker Manufacturing Inc., Lennox, S.D., introduces the Post Pounder/Puller, an attachment for skid steer loaders. The unit can handle 1-inch diameter posts and even railroad ties.

FEEDLOT TENDER—Hitchcock Inc., Burlington, Colo., announces the Feedlot Tender. These units provide versatility, safety and ease of use.

Glyphosate is now so widely used on so many crops that the focus of research has become how to help growers get even more benefit and performance from it. A recent advance in nutrient formulation technology is producing more plant weight and yield in glyphosate-tolerant crops by averting the herbicide's chelating activity.

T-L Irrigation Co., manufacturer of hydrostatically powered pivot and linear irrigation systems, announces its new ULTRA Linear System designed to maximize irrigated areas using one machine.

Warped heads. Blown gaskets. Rattling rods and leaking rings. It doesn't take much to turn an incredible hulk of an engine into a whining weakling, or even worse, a worthless wreck. The first thought when engine problems occur is to rebuild. If you're rebuilding an engine, by yourself or with the help of a mechanic, be sure you fix everything that's wrong or could possibly go wrong, while you have it torn down. If you have the right tools, some mechanical ability, and the right parts, rebuilding an engine could be a cinch.

GRADER—Johnson Mfg., Inc., Kulm, N.D., now offers a complete line of HyGrade Graders for large or small dirt-moving tasks. HyGrade Graders come in 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-foot widths, complete with box scraper ends, weight box and a cement weight, all hydraulic cylinders, hoses, and tips, and replaceable high carbon steel cutting edges. The blade angles 45 degrees left and right and tilts 15 degrees left and right. HyGrade Graders come in eight models: 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1200RS, 1400RS, and 1600RS. Models 1200RS, 1400RS, and 1600RS have hydraulic rear steering so the grader can be moved 4 to 5 feet more to the left or the right side of the tractor from the operator seat.

Feedlot Fencing LLC invites producers to visit its Bruning, Neb., location for the best quality fencing materials available. If you're ready to start or complete a fence project, then Feedlot Fencing has the materials you need.

>Custom Marketing Company, West Fargo, N.D., offers a complete line of grain storage and handling products such as the Pressure Cure Drying System.

CMC has everything needed to update current facilities or to build a new grain storage system.

Bootheel Tractor Parts, Inc., East Prairie, Mo., reminds producers its parts professionals and mechanics use their more than 400 years of combined experience to get the right part from its warehouse of more than 1 million parts clean, tested, ready to use, and shipped immediately--guaranteed.

Lube Trailers that feature a vacuum and pressure process that reduces oil change time by 66 percent. By connecting directly to the drain pan, users can eliminate spills and vacuum used oil at rates of 5 to 7 gallons per minute. Users can save per gallon by purchasing in bulk and use the Sage Oil Vac Barrel Straw to vacuum new oil directly into the new oil tank. All trailers are NATM certified and are equipped with DOT approved light packages.

STALK STOMPER—Since the rise in popularity of BT corn, the stalk to tire damage on combines, tractors and grain carts has caused heightened concern to operators. Lankota introduces the Stalk Stomper, originally designed for the 40 series John Deere corn heads, the Stalk Stomper is adapted to the newer 90 series John Deere corn heads, John Deere all crop heads and Case 1000 and 2000 series corn heads.

When we lose cattle in the feedlot, it can be likened to losing part of our population. As cattle outnumber humans in nine states--Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wyoming--feedlot deaths can prove to be a sore spot in our census and our return on investment. And recent Kansas State University research shows feedlot deaths are not slowing down.

TARP KITS—Syntex Industries, Humboldt, Iowa, manufactures roll tarps and roll tarp kits for grain carts, grain trailers, wagons, and truck boxes. Syntex also offers electric roll tarp kits.The tarps are made of 18 oz. vinyl material that is tough, durable and is UV and mildew resistant. Syntex has several colors to choose from.

FARM SHOWS—Tradexpos, Inc., has announced the 2009 Wichita Farm and Ranch Show will be Nov. 10 to 12, at the Kansas Coliseum, Wichita, Kan., and the 2010 Topeka Farm Show will be Jan. 5 to 7, at the Kansas Expocentre, Topeka, Kan. Farmers visiting either show will see the latest in farm equipment, seed and fertilizer companies, cattle handling equipment plus all the major and short-line manufacturers. Admission is free to both shows.

GRAIN HANDLING—The Schiltz Center Unload System, from Schiltz Manufacturing, Wessington, S.D., has been improved to make grain handling even easier than before. The complete system now includes sweep tunnels, which eliminate the need of removing the sweep auger and allows users to keep it in the bin after each use.

Camelina, an oilseed crop used to produce next-generation biofuel, is undergoing major expansion in 2009. Great Plains Oil & Exploration-The Camelina Company has announced it has increased its contracted acreage by more than 200 percent versus 2008.

STRIP TILL ATTACHMENT—Schlagel Mfg., Torrington, Wyo., introduces the Hydraulic Trip Reset Row Unit for its strip till machine, the Till-N-Plant. When the deep tilling shank hits an obstruction, the shank rotates backward and up over the obstruction.

ELECTRIC CATTLE GUARD FOR PIVOT GATES—The Gap Zapper Corporation, Farmington, Mo., now offers its electric cattle guard for pivot gates. Just roll out the GAP ZAPPER and attach it to an existing electric fence system or to a stand-alone fence charger for a permanent or portable livestock and/or wildlife guard or to protect pivot gates.

The 2009 Oklahoma Beef Ambassador Competition was recently held in Stillwater, Okla., as one of the lead off events of the Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen’s Association Summer Preview. About a dozen contestants were at the Payne County Fairgrounds for the event and winners in the three divisions include:

MANURE SPREADER—Sioux Automation Center, Inc., Sioux Center, Iowa, offers the 5000 Series Manure Spreader. The 5000 Series Spreaders are available in truck-mounted or trailer models, in sizes from 16 feet to 22 feet. A quiet, variable speed hydraulic drive powers a three chain apron. The sides and floor of the 5000 Series Spreader are made of high density poly, and feature stainless steel retainers, reducing material build up and providing long term durability.

PORTABLE STORAGE—Werk Weld, Inc., Armour, S.D., introduces the Handi-Hopper. This portable storage container built to transport corn, grain, feed, wood pellets or any bulk item is available in a 1 ton or 2 ton model. It offers a ground opening lid, easy slide grain gate and sight window. It comes standard with 15-inch tires, rear jack, safety chains and lights.