Cahaba Tractor Co.
banner with blue jeans
Issue 73                                      
March 2017
 

 

Now that spring has sprung, it's time to get outside and get to work! And we have just the right new equipment to help you get the job done. Introducing two new Zero-Turn mowers from Kubota: the big and powerful Kubota 1500 Series and the Kubota Z400 Pro Series. Come by and see them today!

Ready to see what's new for farming in 2017? Then take a look at this month's Chewin' the Cud article, Farming Trends and Technology for 2017 to learn more.

Get out those gardening tools and get ready to dig! It's planting season. Read the March Gardening Guide to get tips on planting and pruning this month.  

Looking for something fun or educational to do? How about a rodeo or horse fair? Check out March Activities and Events for these and many other events going on around the state this month.

** Be sure to take a look at our new website!
Kubota ZD1511 Zero-Turn Mower

Come try this big and powerful Zero-Turn Mower
that comes with a 72" Kubota ProDeck!
 
 
Check out our new 
Z400 Pro Series Zero-Turn Mowers
with Kawasaki Engines
starting at $5,999! 

48", 54" and 60" deck available!

Great for professional and residential use
and you can get it for 0% financing*.
Come check them out today! 

*(0% financing for all qualified buyers)


  Used Products and Specials  

There's more great deals at cahabatractor.com.
Hurry in for the best selection!

Get this and other great buys in our Used Products!
Lots of overstock Used Zero-Turn Mowers to choose from at Great Prices!
Come see us today!
Shop now for the best selection on
 Used and Special-priced equipment!
 

Chewin' the Cud: The Cahaba Tractor Corner
close up cow   
    Farming Trends and Techonology
                    for 2017


Technology. Love it or hate it-it's here to stay. Current technology is growing at a rapid pace and with that comes change in every area of life-including farming. Many of us were born during a time when hands-on experience and solid planning on paper seemed to work just fine. Today, newer innovations that can improve farming techniques can be put, quite literally, in the palm of your hands.

What's in store for 2017? 
Now that Generation Z is growing up and stepping into the family business, digital developments are becoming more mainstream in day to day farm operations. This generation, weaned on technology since birth, brings the knowledge and capability to give farmers an edge in production.

Drones 
The use of drones in farming is more commonplace now than ever before. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can see what's going on in the fields and provide important data on plant health and growth. Drones gather information that can be measured and analyzed. The data can then be fed to an app that will give feedback to help farmers in areas like irrigation, fertilizer and herbicide application, weather, soil testing and much more.

Weather Stations 
Localized or personal weather stations give you data for your precise location. Your personal weather station can be installed in precise locations on your property. It measures temperature, relative humidity, pressure, rainfall and wind speed and direction for your fields. The data collected can then be used in planning and managing your crops.

Apps 
Just what do you do with all that data collected from these new technologies? Well, there's an app for that. The data can be fed to a variety of apps on your phone, tablet or computer. Specialized apps help farmers get specific data to make better informed decisions for their crops. Top apps like Grower's Edge gives data on cash prices and market quotes while Trimble Ag Software, Farm Logs, ID Weeds and Climate FieldView give detailed information on your specific fields.

Precision Agriculture Technology 
One of the most effective developments in farm machinery is the advent of precision agriculture technology. Did you know that today's tractors have more computing power than the first space shuttle sent to the moon? Features like autopilot, yield monitors and rate controllers help farmers improve efficiency and maximize crop yield. In 2014, Kubota Corporation introduced the M7 Tractor Series and became a major player in precision agriculture technology. Kubota has dominated the field ever since.

In February of this year, Kubota joined forces with Smart Path Systems to provide guidance technology for the Kubota M, L, and B-Series tractors, F-Series mowers and utility vehicles. The new precision systems allow for autonomous steering for mowing, sweeping, spraying or snow removal with sub-inch accuracy and a simple android tablet app. This advanced technology also helps farmers become more efficient by completing the work in less time.

Additional Trends for 2017 
*Other trends for 2017 include an increased focus on transparency in food production. Non-GMOs, organics and food safety and sustainability may put more regulatory and cost burdens on farmers.

*Soil conservation techniques such as no-till and strip-till are hot topics from environmental groups as well as increasing regulations on the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

*Additionally, increasing scrutiny from consumers on the meat industry to use more humane techniques for raising and processing animals for food can make it more difficult for smaller farmers to be competitive or force them to become more specialized.

*Due to consumer pressure, major chemical companies are now focusing on the use of biological organisms to battle weeds, insect and diseases.

*Finally, with the population predicted to reach 9 billion people by 2050, strides towards land and water conservation and a need for increased food production will become much more important.

These are just a few of the many innovations and trends that we'll continue to see now and in the future. Once incorporated into day to day operations, farmers are finding that advanced technologies can radically transform the way they manage their operations.
 
 
Before you get ready to plant, get your equipment ready to work for you. Whether it's parts or maintenance, our Parts and Service Departments are ready and available. Just call for an appointment or stop by and see us. We look forward to helping you get the job done.

Sincerely,
Cahaba Tractor Co.
2411 Hwy. 31 South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470



Cahaba Tractor location

Why settle for less,
when you can have
the best? 
 


At Cahaba Tractor,

we make work  
seem like play
Here's Happy Pig
Mud

In
Your
Eye
      Three-legged Chicken

A man was driving along a rural road when he realized he had to make a phone call. He had forgotten his cell phone was miles from a pay phone so he decided to stop in at the next farmhouse he found.

As he was approaching a house, he noticed a three-legged chicken racing along the road. He followed the chicken and clocked it at 45 miles per hour.

When the man got to the farmhouse he asked the farmer about the chicken. The farmer replied, "W'all, when I was at the uneeversitee I studied geenetics. 'Round these parts we love chicken and we're all partial to the drumstick, so I thought I'd see if I could make a three-legged chicken. So, here 'tis."

The man was quite impressed. He asked, "How does it taste?"

The farmer replied, "Don't know. Ain't none of us been able to catch one yet."
 

-- Anonymous  

Planting
         March          
Gardening Guide
Fruits and Nuts:
Continue strawberry and grape plantings. Bud apples and peaches. Begin planting blackberries.    
 
Vegetable Seed:
Plant hardy crops recommended for January and February. After danger of frost has passed, begin planting tender vegetables. Follow the AL Vegetable Garden Planting Chart for planting dates.

Vegetable Plants:

Plant cabbage, onions, lettuce, Brussels sprouts and broccoli in north Alabama. Plant tomatoes and peppers in lower south Alabama.

Annuals and Perennials:
Tender annuals may be planted in south Alabama.

Bulbs: 
Plant gladiolus every 2 or 3 weeks if a long blooming season is desired. Plant tuberous begonias in pots. Plant dahlias now.

Roses:
Watch new growth for aphids. Begin a spray or dust program. Start fertilizing.
   
Shrubs:
Fertilize shrubs (except azaleas and camellias) according to soil test. late plantings may be made, especially if they are container-grown. Monitor shrubs for harmful insects.
 
Lawns:
Plant bermuda, zoysia and centipede in south Alabama. Seed bluegrass and grass mixtures in north Alabama. Fertilize established lawns.
 
Miscellaneous: 
*Check and repair sprayers, dusters and lawnmowers.

*Control lawn weeds with herbicides.

*Delay pruning of fruiting shrubs such as cotoneasters, pyracanthas and hollies until after flowering.

The gardening guide is based upon the USDA hardiness zones for Alabama.

The state zones are:
 
North Alabama - 7a
Birmingham area - 7b
South Alabama - 8a
Mobile area - 8b
 
For more gardening info, visit:
March
Activities and Events
 
Spring Bird Migration
Dauphin Island
March 1 thru April 30

Alabama Antique Trail Sale
Statewide
March 1 thru April 30

Cottontails Village Arts & Craft Show
BJCC
March 3-5

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop
Columbiana
March 3-5

Enjoy the Wonders of Spring
Wetumpka
March 3-26

March Gourd Magic
Clanton
March 4-25

Azalea Bloom Out
Bellingrath Gardens
Theodore
March 4-31

2017 Alabama Horse Fair
Montgomery
March 4-5

2017 Historic Mobile Homes Tour
March 10-11

March Fantasy Doll & Toy Show and Sale
Fairhope
March 11

Black and White Spring Forward Sale
Montgomery Stockyards
March 11

Opp 57th Annual Rattlesnake Rodeo
March 11-12

March 12 

March 17 

59th Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo
Garrett Coliseum
Montgomery
March 17-19

65th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
Fairhope
March 17-19

Spring Farm Day
Dothan
March 18

BBQ and Blues Cook-Off
Foley
March 18

March 20  

March 21

20th Anniversary Festival of Flowers
Mobile
March 23-26

Urban Living Expo 2017: Disaster Preparedness
Huntsville
March 25

McDonald's Big Bass Splash
Scottsboro
March 31-April 2







For more Alabama events this month, visit 

    

Contact Us:
Cahaba Tractor Co.

2411 Hwy 31 South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470
sales@cahabatractor.com
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm M-F

          8:00am-12:00pm Sat.


Join Our Mailing List