FIMA 2022

The 42nd edition of FIMA in Zaragoza is over. The farm fair had a special character as much for a good reason as it is to be able to come back after all the experience since the last edition and another not as good as the lack of the big brands of agricultural machinery that have always been in the fair. 

6 pavilions were used by the more than 1,130 companies exhibiting their products and innovations. Around 104,000 people visited the farm fair (slightly less than half the number of previous editions) and the fact is that we have gone from practically having a large agricultural farm fair every three months to seeing fairs as something demonic. The truth is that walking around this FIMA was a bit strange, but it was still interesting as the hundreds of companies present there were eager to return to the long-awaited "normal" to show their products and open market share. 

We saw some tractors, especially low power tractors and some implement manufacturers. In particular, the large number of mulchers and trailed air blastes that were available. It is noticeable that the woody crops sector continues to grow in Spain. As far as implements are concerned, there is also a large number of front loaders and telescopic machines... it is clear that they are fashionable.  

On the other hand, we were very surprised by the number of companies that there were regarding the issue of digitization... all around the concept of Agriculture 4.0 and in many cases with similar products... this indicates that this segment is also growing.  

Another very representative sector at FIMA was the fertiliser, phytosanitary products, garden centre and irrigation equipment companies. Everything related to inputs is evolving a lot and companies put a lot of emphasis on demonstrating to the farmer that they have a good product.  

Finally, we also highlight the advances in tyres, where Michelin had a very interesting stand with its VF tires, rubber tracks and tele-inflating systems (there we could see perhaps the largest tractor of the fair, the JD 6250R). 

And this is the summary of FIMA, we hope this is the new starting point so that in the next editions the fair resumes its old magnificence, and visitors can enjoy not only the elements mentioned, but also tractors of high power. 

Versión en español.

Furrowing purple garlic

We come back to one of our favourite crops, although we haven’t grown them since 2014. Purple garlic is the most important crop in our area and as it has a very interesting profitability and therefore the quality of the product has to be maximum. On this occasion we visited our friend Julián de la Fuente, a good farmer who has an important garlic farm... and if you watch the video, you will find a first class machinery.

We were interested to see Julián at work, as he was using the John Deere auto guidance with RTK signal and the J. Quílez furrower, which is a local implement manufacturer... As well as the 6110R which is always an eye-catching tractor. Working with the auto guidance in the middle of garlic rows at 45cm is always very fascinating to watch. On the other hand, seeing the J. Quiléz furrower is also interesting because it is designed with three vibrocultivators per furrow and above all because the chassis has a system that can be moved as you work through the use of a hydraulic system in order to correct possible errors, especially on slopes where the tractor, due to its narrow wheels, can suffer from slipping.

Therefore, the work of furrowing is extremely quick, easy and comfortable... we remember when we were children that some farmers used to do it, for example, with Astoa tractors... we have evolved a lot. 

The aim of this work is to eliminate weeds mechanically (some phytosanitary treatments with selective herbicides can also be carried out) and to prepare the ground so that all the garlic heads are well covered. Afterwards, drip irrigation will be installed and the field will not need to be moved until the garlic is harvested.

Versión en español.