Tag Archives: Tractor

Equipment for Farming Part 1: Cattle

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In order to properly plan for a new or expanded farming business, proper equipment is a must.

Different kinds of farming require different equipment. Cattle farming is more than just a business, it is a lifestyle. There is paperwork,  production, and everyday chores to keep you busy. Here are just a few:  fence mending, feeding, vehicle maintenance, grazing management and animal health tasks.

A cattle farming operation should be as efficient as possible. This way, an operator can be more productive and have more time for projects and personal time. The right Cattle equipment helps an operation run efficiently. A tractor can pull a trailer that carries feed, and eliminate the need to drag around bins. An auger for the tractor can change digging for fence post installation and repairs from back breaking work to a more manageable task. There are other useful tractor add-ons like a soil turner that will help grass regrow, and attachments to help prepare and harvest hay.

In addition to a tractor, the following groups of equipment are a must have for most cattle operations:
Cattle Handling Equipment
This is the equipment necessary when moving, weighing and inspecting cattle. Equipment includes: calf tables, cattle headgates, squeeze chutes, loading chutes and cattle handling accessories such as weighing scales, head chains and squeeze chute adaptors.

Corral Systems
Corral systems are small enclosures that help contain animals and limit movement. Corral systems are either permanent or portable.  Prices depend on the number of cattle it can hold, as well as additional features. Some corral systems have adjustable alley sections, arena panels, a smaller holding pen, adjustable alley gates and alley frames that can connect directly to a squeeze chute.

Cattle Feeders
This equipment is needed for cattle feeding. Cattle feeders are a must in feedlot settings and are highly recommended for ranchers raising grass-fed cattle. In feedlots it is where cattle are entirely fed; for pasture cattle, it is also needed for giving nutritional supplements. Feeder equipment includes: creep feeders, bale feeders, bulk mineral feeders and bunk feeders.

Waterers and Water Tanks
Large livestock require a lot of water.  Cattle waterers include troughs and bowls. The materials range from galvanized steel to rubber to concrete waterers.

The right cattle equipment can help raise the herd and keep the property in top shape. Farming equipment costs can be substantial, and it’s important to take advantage of all sources of funding available to your farm. Whatever you decide: Buying new or used equipment will be a key to your on-farm success. Start or expand your farming business now: the Canadian Grants Business Center can help.

Contact us now to find out more!

New or Used Farm Equipment: Which is Better?

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The trade-offs of new versus used farming equipment remain a hot topic for many in the farming community. What everyone can agree upon, however, is that in order to succeed in the business of farming, you need to have access to the right equipment, and it needs to get the job done in a reliable and predictable way.farm_equipment_grants

Here are a few reasons to considering purchasing new vs used equipment for your farm:

 

Reasons to buy New Equipment:

There are many reasons that you should consider buying new equipment. Some  reasons to buy new include:

  1. If you plan to keep the equipment for a long time: new equipment may offer a longer lifespan.
  2. If you plan to trade in yearly: Some operations need the latest technology. Buy buying new, you can make sure you are running the latest technology, and when something better comes along, your equipment will retain value to act as a trade-in.
  3. Less likelihood of a breakdown – In most cases, new equipment is more reliable than used equipment. When it does break, you can count on warranty service to get you back up and running quickly, and on budget.

Reasons to Buy Used Equipment:

When buying new isn’t the right choice, buying used can fit the bill.

  1. Lower up-front cost – You can take advantage of the great deals on almost new equipment that other farmers traded in. Sometimes you can buy almost new equipment that is at a better price.
  2. Used equipment has wiggle room – Used equipment prices are more flexible. Negotiation can make a good deal great.
  3. Good for back-up machines – Having a second piece of equipment to take over in case your main equipment breaks can be invaluable. This also can alow an increase in production during crunch times.

Whatever you decide: Buying new or used equipment will be a key to your on-farm success. Start or expand your farming business now: the Canadian Grants Business Center can help.

Contact us Toll-Free at 1-888-231-0075 or Contact us now to find out more!

Tractors & Machinery Ag-Safety Fund Recipients Announced.

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October 15th, 2015 – Winnipeg, Manitoba –

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) in partnership with Farm Credit Canada, has announced that more than $ 100,000 has been awarded to help improve training for tractors and machinery throughout Canada.

The Ag Safety Fund  has provided charitable and nonprofit financial support to offer training programs based from the security and agricultural community since 2010. Previous projects have ranged from training for producers of Christmas trees in Nova Scotia that support bear-human conflict awareness training in Alberta. In this, the fifth year of Ag Safety Fund FCC, training efforts have been reduced to focus on the tractor and machinery training.

“Our commitment to helping our customers succeed starts with the basics – to help them and their families stay safe while working in the operation of the farm or agribusiness,” said Sophie Perreault, FCC Executive Vice President and Chief operations. “We are excited to partner with CASA to help make this a reality through Ag Safety Fund FCC.”

Marcel Hacault is the Executive Director of CASA. He says the community-based training is effective and important in the creation of safer farming practices. “The community-based Ag Safety Fund FCC approach addresses the needs of farmers at the grassroots level, creating more buy-in and ownership of safer behaviour,” he says. “CASA recognizes the importance of farm safety initiatives based on the community and is committed to creating safer for all Canadian farmers agricultural environments.”

The beneficiaries of the FCC Ag Safety Fund 2015-2016 include Quebec 4-H, L’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), Farm Safety Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture, University of Manitoba, Wild Blueberry New Scotland, The Canadian Centre for Health Association (FARSHA), Manitoba 4-H Council Safety and Health in Agriculture, New Brunswick Young Farmers Forum Inc., Farm and Ranch and Security, and Canadian farmers with Disabilities Registry. 11 organizations receive support from the Fund FCC Ag Safety in seven provinces.

FCC is a long time supporter of CASA and farm safety initiatives. FCC has long supported the annual conference of CASA and Ag Safety Fund FCC. Last year, the FCC partnered with CASA and the Rick Hansen Foundation to launch Back to Ag, a program designed for farmers injured back to doing what they love – agriculture. This year, FCC is a sponsor of the Week of Canadian Agricultural Safety.

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of farmers, their families and agricultural workers.

FCC is the main lender of Agriculture Canada, with a healthy portfolio of more than $ 27.3 billion and 21 consecutive years of portfolio growth.