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- Friday the 13th...EV style
Friday the 13th...EV style
Clint Fischer
January 12, 2023
Welcome to the Gravel Road - your weekly shot in the arm of agriculture. *Addiction is likely, but we've never lost anyone to an overdose...
Here's what we have this week:
⚡ EVs
💻 Tech
💀 Friday the 13th
🥚 Egg-flation
MACHINERY GOES ELECTRIC
The growl of a diesel motor as a tractor works up and down the field is as synonymous with farming as lying is to politics. That may not always be the case, as companies keep investing in electric vehicle (EV) technology for agriculture. The industry has already seen products hit the market for lawncare/landscaping, vineyards, and orchards. Numerous higher horsepower concepts are in the works to make EV equipment a reality for larger-scale farmers.
New Holland recently revealed its all-electric tractor (The T4 Electric Power) which boasts 120 hp and even has autonomous features. You can even activate some of the features with your smartphone... and it looks like it belongs in a video game.
John Deere made a big splash at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with their new electric excavator powered by a Kreisel battery. No specifications were made about the 145 X-Tier excavator, but according to John Deere, this is one of more than 20 electric and hybrid equipment models they plan to have by 2026.
Bobcat unveiled their T7X Compact Track Loader at last year's CES. With an operating capacity of 2,900 lbs, tipping load of 8,429 lbs, and operating weight of 11,970 lbs, this skid loader claims to have the same performance as it's diesel sister - the T76. Sunbelt Rentals, with over 1,100 locations across North America, partnered with Bobcat to have an exclusive rental agreement for the T7X and received its first machine in September.
Advocates say EVs are helping to fight climate concerns, have lower maintenance costs, and are quieter and more reliable to operate.
Opponents are skeptical of the battery life, high entry cost, reliablility in extreme conditions, and generally don't buy into EVs impacting the climate one iota. Plus, without the diesel engine noise, operators will have to be alone with their thoughts...
Maybe generator sales will increase?
"Ever felt like you weren't capable of something in your personal or professional life? You aren't alone.
A recent study from WebMD showed 70% of people have felt like an imposter. If you've doubted your skills or abilities, this could be imposter syndrome.
This is the single biggest obstacle my clients have shared with me. They don't feel they have what it takes, or they won't be good enough.
Here is the secret to overcoming - remember how common this feeling is and brush it aside. I'm not saying 'fake it 'til you make it,' but I am saying you have the power to shut that fear faucet off and move forward with fortitude! Believe in yourself. You've got this."
SEEDS
💲 Options: GROWERS recently expanded their pilot app which is a platform where farmers can request pricing on inputs and compare local retail offers with offers on the Growers Retail Network.
🔩 Useful: Here's a list of uses for WD-40 that goes way beyond loosening rusty bolts.
💻 Tech: Mineral just graduated from Alphabet's incubator (X) to "unlock a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and productive food system" through robotics, data, and software.
🔧 Repair Win: After multiple lawsuits over the past few years, John Deere signed an agreement to give farmers/independent repairmen access to the same data and diagnostic tools as Deere certified repair shops.
🥚 Ouch: Egg prices are up North of 50% since this time last year, due in part to the death of ~58M birds from the highly contagious avian flu.
THE DREADED DAY
Tomorrow is Friday, Jan 13th. Unless you landed here from Mars on one of Elon Musk's rockets, you know Friday the 13th is a terribly unlucky day. But why? The superstitions stem from Western culture's association of the number 12 with 'completeness.' (12 days of Christmas, 12 months, 12 Zodiac signs, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 gods of Olympus)
In contrast, the number 13 is believed to be unlucky for a few reasons. The Bible tells us there were 13 guests who attended the Last Supper. The Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest known legal documents, omitted a 13th law from its list of legal rules. And, Norse lore holds that evil and turmoil were introduced to the world when Loki (treacherous and mischeveous god) was the 13th guest at a dinner party in Valhalla.
There's even a clinical name for fear of Friday the 13th: paraskevidekatriaphobia.
So, what superstitions can we do to ward off the bad luck?
Knock on wood🪵 because good spirits used to live in trees
Hang up a horseshoe 🧲 just be sure the ends are pointed up so the luck doesn't run out
Protect your mirrors🪞 by all means, we don't want seven years of bad luck
Find a 4-leaf clover 🍀 because they help you see evil spirits so you can avoid them
Sleep facing South 🛌 because the ancient Chinese told you to
Don't step on cracks in the sidewalk 🚶♀️ your mother's back will thank you
Turn seven times, clockwise 7️⃣ we all have curses that need to be broken
We're pulling for you to make it through tomorrow unscathed. When you do, just be wary - there's another Friday the 13th this year... in October.
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MEME OF THE WEEK
That's a wrap, folks.
THANK YOU to everyone who works off the beaten path to feed our nation.
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