Contents
April
2026
From the Editor
Preparing fields and budgets alike in spring.
6
Safety
Volume 52 • Number 4
15
Work zone awareness is critical for farm work. Whether you’ re hauling livestock or running equipment, the risks are real.
Feature
Every hour in the field
8 counts during planting season, and you can avoid costly equipment failures with a maintenance routine.
Fields & Inputs
20
Steps to stretch already tight input budgets and effectively use the latest in precision technology.
Sponsored Content
12
Fencing isn’ t just a materials decision, it’ s an operations decision, and the right fence does more than define a boundary.
Sprayers
24
Montana State University College of Agriculture faculty members have developed the Smart Spray Annual ROI Calculator.
departments
The Dirt ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27 Product Spotlight ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28 Dealers ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33 Classifieds ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������37
on the cover
Dedicated
to Serving the US Market
Catalyst Communications Network 2025. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recorded or otherwise without the prior written permission of Catalyst Communications Network.
F L
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Articles that appear in this, and / or any Farmers Hot Line publication, are not necessarily the views and opinions expressed by the Farmers Hot Line staff and / or Catalyst Communications Network.
Circulation: Farmers Hot Line publication is sent to farmers and ranchers who are actively involved in farming along with bulk issues distributed to farm equipment dealers, supply and elevators.
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4 | 800-247-2000 | 515-955-1600 | April 2026