What is a combine?
A combine, or combine harvester, is a large piece of farm equipment used to harvest crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and other grains. It performs several harvesting functions, including cutting, threshing, separating, and cleaning grain. Combines are one of the most important pieces of equipment in modern grain farming.
What is a grain cart?
A grain cart is a large wagon or hopper used to transport harvested grain from the combine to a semi-truck, grain truck, or other storage or transportation equipment. Grain carts allow combines to continue harvesting while grain is being unloaded in the field.
What is a grain drill?
A grain drill is a piece of planting equipment designed primarily for crops such as wheat, oats, rye, and other small grains. It places seed into the soil at a controlled depth and spacing, often in narrow rows.
What is a planter?
A planter is a piece of equipment used to plant crops such as corn and soybeans in precise rows and at controlled depths and spacing. Modern planters can incorporate technologies such as GPS guidance, variable-rate seeding, seed monitoring, and automatic row shutoffs.
What is vertical tillage?
Vertical tillage is a soil-management practice that uses specialized equipment to make shallow soil disturbance while managing crop residue. It is generally intended to size and distribute residue, improve seedbed conditions, and prepare fields for planting while causing less soil disturbance than conventional tillage.
What is strip-till?
Strip-till is a tillage system that disturbs only narrow strips of soil where crops will be planted while leaving the areas between rows largely undisturbed. It can provide a prepared seedbed while retaining significant crop residue and reducing erosion and moisture loss.
What is no-till?
No-till farming is a production system in which crops are planted directly into existing soil with minimal soil disturbance. Crop residue is generally left on the surface, which can help reduce erosion, conserve moisture, and improve soil health.
How long does farm equipment last?
Farm equipment can last for many years when properly maintained, but useful life varies by equipment type, hours of use, operating conditions, maintenance, and technology. Major equipment such as combines, tractors, planters, and irrigation systems may remain in service for decades, although components and technology are often upgraded or replaced along the way.