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Ag in brief: More investment in rural internet, combine harvester sales up

Canada, Ontario invest in rural internet in Grey and Bruce counties

The governments of Canada and Ontario have invested an additional $3.5 million to bring high-speed internet to more areas of the province. The latest investment is targeted in the areas of Grey and Bruce counties, serving an estimated 2,570 families, farms and businesses.

Specific communities affected include Holstein, Varney, Orchardville, Maple Lane, Yeovil, Dromore, Tartan, Thistle and Bognor in Grey County, and in Sauble Beach and Sauble Beach North in Bruce County. Lisa Thompson, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs for Ontario, said i8n a statement that the infrastructure “will have lasting benefits for our entire community.”

The upgrades are part of a partnership with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT). The governments have previously invested in upgrades to internet infrastructure in Waterloo Region, Elgin County, Perth County and more.

Combine harvesters driving ag sales in Canada, U.S.

The latest figures released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers show that combine harvester sales are one of the positive drivers of both the U.S. and Canadian ag equipment markets.

AEM’s data shows that for the month of November, combine harvesters were a bright spot in otherwise mixed markets for equipment sales. Tractors fell in both countries, and total U.S. ag equipment unit sales fell overall. Total farm tractor sales fell in the U.S. by 20.8 per cent compared to November 2021. Leading losses were sub-40hp tractors. Self-propelled combine sales grew by 8.3 per cent. It is one of only two segments showing YTD growth, combined with 100+hp units, which has grown by 13.3 per cent YTD. Total farm tractor sales are down 14.5 per cent YTD.

In Canada, only two segments showed growth for a second consecutive month. Both 4WD tractors and combine harvesters grew and in fact have more-than-doubled sales from November 2021, at an increase of 170.6 per cent and 105.3 per cent respectively. Overall unit sales in tractors were down 11.1 per cent. The sub-40hp segment led losses in Canada as well, down 9.3 per cent. YTD farm tractor unit sales were down 6.9 per cent in Canada, with harvesters remaining positive YTD.