Planting can start as early as April, and it’s right around the corner. So, we want to give you a run-down of the top three tips for planting season 2017 and how we can help you make sure this year’s productivity on the farm can be the best.
“April showers bring May flowers”
We’re hoping that statement stays true this year with our unusually warm winter weather. But who’s complaining about the shorts and T-shirt weather around here though? Well, one thing is certain, time is going by fast and that can only mean one thing; It’s time to start prepping for planting season 2017.
Planting is a delicate balance act. It all comes down to the cooperation of Mother Nature and our preparedness to be ready to strike when the iron is hot… Or in this case, when the weather has produced the right conditions and we can jump on our tractors and start planting.
1. Service. Service. Service!
We can’t stress maintenance of agricultural equipment enough. If there’s one thing you take away from this (let’s say excellent read), make it our number one tip. The winter months are still here and that’s the most opportune time to get your equipment out of the barn or shed and have it brought in for routine maintenance and inspection. The last thing any farmer needs is an unexpected breakdown resulting in costly down-time, loss in productivity and potential major cost of repair. If you’re in a bind and can’t get your equipment into the shop for repairs and maintenance, let us know and we’ll make sure to come to you. It’s important to enlist the service and maintenance from a reputable company that offers comprehensive services above and beyond maintenance and repairs. But don’t fret, Fairchild Equipment has you covered. With its full service and parts department we’re geared up for just about every situation.
Don’t forget, Preventive Maintenance plans are available. These types of maintenance plans are essential! Why? Being proactive is a lot easier than being reactive. Proper maintenance of your equipment keeps repair costs to a minimum; it can help identify maintenance repairs before a major break or failure and keeps the machine well maintained in general. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about our maintenance plans.
2. Take advantage of new technology.
We all know that new technology is now a part of our daily lives. Even the Farmer’s Almanac has an app for your iPhones and Androids! And what do we think of these abilities? They’re great! We all have more information in the palm of our hands than ever before, so why not take advantage right?
There are UNLIMITED weather apps that can track weather to a T. Waiting for the morning weather report from the local weatherman on the news is a thing of the past now that everyone is equipped with excellent radar apps straight from a smartphone.
GPS is making quite the splash in the industry too. With GPS capabilities on the JCB Fastrac tractors, it’s revolutionizing our planting processes. If precision is what you’re looking for, GPS is the way to go. This will allow you to plot your crops more efficiently with precision and accuracy. This is a win not only for planting, but also in spraying forage and manure applications. It’s all about the yield, and GPS is one tool that you won’t be able to live without this year in order to get the results you’re looking for.
3. Take advantage of new innovations in equipment.
Just as new technologies and apps are appearing almost daily, the same goes for our equipment. As an equipment distributor for JCB construction and agriculture equipment and Mahindra tractors, we’ve seen some cutting edge innovations introduced in the last couple of years that can be game changers in the field. Have you seen the new JCB Teleskid? It’s every farmers dream vehicle with a cross between a skid steer and telehandler. And don’t forget, JCB features the industry’s only side door entrance! Just think; this year, you could be operating with comfort while being more productive and safe than ever before.
As timing is a major factor in deciding when can start planting, equipment abilities is also very important and is one of the factors in the balancing act of planting. According to the *PennState Extension, it states that to have productive and sustainable agriculture, it all boils down to proper field operation management to develop optimal portions of soil components. One way to ensure you’re managing this is to utilize the proper equipment. When it comes to JCB track skid loaders, the units allow for less ground pressure in wet soil conditions which prevent soil compaction when you’re picking rock in the field or loading seed tenders.
There’s yet another factor that comes into the delicate balance of planting and it’s quickly getting your crops in the ground. Sometimes we may find a small window of opportunity to get our work done. But in that window, we want you to get as much done as you can. That’s one of the many reasons why we love the JCB Fastrac – because it’s true to its name. With speeds up to 40+ MPH, traveling between field plots is minimized. Also, 50/50 weight distribution of the tractor allows for more HP to be utilized with less tire slippage. What does this mean? More efficiency! Oh, and did we mention JCBs are equipped with great visibility and more ergonomics, making your long workday that much easier. Our agriculture industry is the foundation of the American economy, you deserve to work with the best equipment and be comfortable while doing it!
So this year, let us help you achieve the best year of planting possible. We can’t promise you good weather or great conditions. But, when it comes to your equipment, we’ve got you covered.
Next Steps
- To speak with us directly – Call (844) 432-4724
- For answers to your questions – Get in touch with a local representative today
- Keep your equipment running – Sign up for a Preventative Maintenance Plan
- For updates on equipment promos and news – Subscribe to our newsletter
*Source: http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops/soil-management/conservation-tillage/soil-compaction-and-conservation-tillage
Co-authored by Dave Radke, JCB sales representative for the Green Bay WI location, and Jeremy Seavers, JCB sales representative for the Stevens Point WI location.
