Some time ago American farmers were hacking into their own tractors computer systems, even going so far as to download firmware hacks from the internet to break into the machine's management system.
It's probably something that's understandable - few things can be more infuriating, particularly when you're busy and your tractor just dies or throws up an error code that bears no relationship whatsoever to the problem or is a dealer-only code.
In fact, it's impossible to escape the fact that practically every machine in the developed world, even the simplest coffee maker, has some kind of electronic brain which as soon as you unscrew the cover and start to tamper with its gubbins, invalidates the warranty.
Plug in the wrong computer to diagnose a fault on your tractor, be it a 350hp farm monster or a 35hp smallholder model and you'll probably be in the same boat, this is because generally the manufacturer owns the copyright to any software that's used within a tractor, or any other implement for that matter. All any owner usually has is a licence to use it, particularly when the machine is still under warranty.
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Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
