That Communication Thingy

Over the past several months we've been more active on the NTPDA Facebook Page and other social media outlets.  Yes, we're on Twitter! And, we've been watching what our members have been posting, sharing and communicating. It's really exciting to see the way in which we keep up with each other...members and guests.

Go ahead and click on any of the photos here to catch a larger image.

We've really enjoyed reading the Antique Tractor Blog from Steiner Tractor Parts and watching the videos "Wrenching with Rachel".  Good stuff and they get all kinds of traction.

Southeast Tractor Parts has been posting flowers on their Facebook Page. Different but effective.

The photography coming out of our friends at Combine World has been stunning. Great use of the camera for #Plant15!  Here's a sample from this weekend. 

Oh, #Plant15?  That's the Hashtag we've been following and posting to for the 2015 Planting Season.  You just plug #Plant15 into your Twitter Search or Facebook Search and BAM you'll see what folks have been posting. Interesting stuff.

Our friends at Reliable Aftermarket Parts have Beaver Hat Bill and that's always a hoot to read.  Where he gets this stuff is beyond us.

So many of you posted thoughtful images and words for Memorial Day and that meant so much to so many.  Thank you.

Our friends from Mylex International have this "Pirate Thing" down. Every time we see a post it makes us want to run out, grab an eye patch and shout "Arrrrrrrrrr!!"

Wengers of Myerstown have been searching through some old photos and it's always fun to see family members from long ago....and not so long ago.

Speaking of photos we can always count on our friends from Fastline to share some worthwhile images on Twitter and on Facebook.  Nice job.

Hoober Inc. is into Throwback Thursday Photos and they are a great addition to their social media efforts.

And, of course there are many, many more.  If you've got a few spare minutes (with all this rain out there no doubt you do) and you've got a Facebook Page or a Twitter Account go ahead and search for some interesting communication pieces from our family of members.

Congratulations for sharing interesting stories, photos and events. Nice work out of you!

It's how so many communicate!

 

Memorial Day Thoughts

As friends and families gather on this the "Official Start of Summer 2015" we're truly hoping you have a safe and happy weekend.  And, as you enjoy the cook-outs, boating, the Indy 500 take a moment and, perhaps, think of why we mark this date.

As we were preparing for the holiday weekend we were struck by how many families look on this day...differently. For some the day is a reminder of family members who didn't come home.  Of family members who are, even today, in harms way in an effort to allow the rest of us to enjoy our freedom.

There's nothing disrespectful of enjoying the weekend.  Not taking a moment to reflect on what this day really means would be a missed opportunity.

May you all have a safe and memorable Memorial Day.

 

Three Planting Tips for Spring 2015

From the test plots in Cold Water, Michigan, Missy Bauer offers three tips for starting your seed off right.

(This is from a Pam Fretwell interview with Missy which recently appeared in the Farm Journal Ag-Web Online.)

In south central Michigan, Missy says, cold weather was the biggest factor in deciding when to put the seed in the ground. Michigan experienced the coldest February on record, this issue is compounded by a large percentage of ice coverage over the Great Lakes, which makes for a delayed, cooler spring.

Missy offers three pieces of advice to farmers waiting to get into the fields.

Wait for average soil temps to reach 50 degrees.

Missy says, “We really try to hold guys back, if they can, and wait for those soil temperatures reach 50 degrees.” She notes, some guys put the seed in the ground as soon as the temps hit 50 degrees only to have the temps drop back down to the 40s and even upper-30s for a few days. That’s a little scary, she admits.

If you can avoid cold and wet, do it!

The cold doesn’t bother Missy as much as cold and wet conditions. Cold and wet, she says, is a bad recipe and can negatively affect germination.  

Test seed quality.

Missy encourages farmers to send their seed in for quality testing, especially if you plan to put your seed in early while temperatures could still drop below that 50 degree mark. Specifically, she notes, you want to check for good saturated cold scores and cold germination scores.