Jean-Philippe,

Thanks for your kind words!  In most situations, I prefer tractors and tractor-sized implements over ATV and ATV-sized implements.  There are several good brands of tractors.  My primary requirement is that good service and parts are available locally for the tractor.  All tractors need periodic maintenance and local service is a huge asset.

Where practical, I prefer planting with a no-till drill.  This saves time and resources (both financial and environmental).  I use a no-till drill to plant small seeded crops like clover to large seeded crops like corn.  I’ve used gads of brands of no-till drills and the Great Plains is as good as or better than any I’ve used.

Another tool I frequently use is a boom sprayer.  I like a model with a tank that holds as much capacity as the tractor can safely handle.  Most herbicides require from 10 to 25 gallons of water per acre.  Sprayers with small tanks require the operator to spend more time filling the tank and transporting to and from the fields as they do actually spraying.

I’ll share one more tool I use frequently, a soil temperature thermometer.  This allows me to monitor the soil’s temperature at planting depth so I can plant each specific crop when conditions are best for rapid germination and growth.  This is critical to maximize crop production, especially during the spring.

Ok, one more.  It seems I always need a chainsaw.  I don’t think anyone realizes how many trees and large branches fall until they are responsible for keeping the roads open.  My local saw dealer sells and services Stilh and I’ve been very pleased with their saws, blowers, etc.

Growing Deer (and buying tools) together

Grant