Old Pond publishing days

A Variety of Agricultural Machines at Work in Australia

A three-part film series looking at a variety of agricultural machines at work in Australia. With English language track.

Filmmakers Jörn and Tammo Gläser have travelled to different regions of the continent down under several times as part of their documentary series ‘Agriculture in Australia’. This three-part film series looks at a variety of agricultural machines made by different manufacturers as they are put to work over the different seasons and from Western Australia to the island of Tasmania.

 

 

 

 

Vol.1:

Filmmakers Jörn and Tammo Gläser begin their journey of agricultural discovery in the city of Perth, in the state of Western Australia. The first stop is the two sites owned by Glenvar Farms, where the family harvests its grain and compresses the straw with the combine harvester in one passing. Along their 4500-kilometer route, the brothers then visit other large grain farms that are using modern combine harvesters and large tractors. The variety of the Australian landscape is also showcased
along the way. You can find the “making-of” for the three-part film on this Australian expedition under Extras on the DVD. A narrator guides you through the film. This episode is 85 minutes long.

 

Vol. 2

In eastern Australia, farmers of some of the largest farms in the southern hemisphere work several thousands of hectares of farmland. High-hp tractors from John Deere, Case IH and New Holland are used here. However, Australia is also known for its variety in agricultural production. Brothers Jörn and Tammo Gläser show you the cotton harvest, using the latest self-propelled John Deere machinery, as well as rare shots of the olive harvest in the state of Victoria. A narrator guides you through the film. This episode is 95 minutes long.

 

 

 

 

Vol. 3

With a working width of 65 metres, one of the largest agricultural producers in Australia uses the world’s widest drill. For brothers Jörn and Tammo Gläser, this is one of the highlights of the third part of this agricultural documentary on Australia. Other rare footage includes shots of different pieces of machinery in action in the sugar cane harvest in Queensland, and a visit to a vegetable farm on the island of Tasmania. In the third part of this documentary series, you will get to see agricultural machinery used in interesting and exciting ways in a varied landscape. A narrator guides you through the film. This episode is 95 minutes long.

 

 

 

View this Three Part DVD Set Here

Related articles

The Great American Wheat Harvest

Working at the bottom of the world!

The Grassmen Collection... Machinery Diversity!

The Grassmen duo made their first film in 2009 and they now have numerous titles, sales of which run into tens of thousands. They also have a cult following on youtube. This 7 DVD set includes all of the following;

 NEW Two Ledgends & A Donkey - In a unique Grassmen challenge two special characters from our earlier titles, namely the Legends that are Jimmy Doherty & Mike Greenaway, join the Grassmen's unforgettable team member Donkey for a series of tractor tests. Each man was given a budget of £16,000 to buy a 2nd hand tractor which they believed could still compete with today's new and rather expensive kit. In this first episode, they put their old girls back to work and as expected it isn't long before the breakdowns and banter kick in. Including reviews on the JF 1060 and Schuitemaker wagons this DVD will entertain all ages from start to finish.

Its In The Blood - On an island situated east of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Northern Province where wet weather grows the greenest grass on the planet, a dedicated group of men battle with the sodden ground, steep hills, narrow roads and tight yards to harvest thousands of acres of lush green silage.  These are Northern Ireland's GRASSMEN.  Interviews with three contractors from different locations in Ulster explain how they became GRASSMEN.  In addition they each talk about the current machinery they use, experiences best forgotten and what drives them to persevere with the grass.

Keep 'er lit - Join Luke Furse (Farmer’s Weekly Contractor of the Year Finalist), his son Lloyd and the rest of the team in Devon for an insight into the working of Furse agricultural contracting and earthmoving businesses.  The first in a two-part series, "Keep 'er Lit" shows the crew flat-out between the rain showers, as Grassmen.  Watch the varied fleet of tractors, hear the performance comparison results and make up your own mind as to which tractor brand really is the winner.

Old School - In an epic compilation of three unique events, Classic Grassmen captures a huge variety of old school kit in full flight.  After a long harvest season Devon based Luke Furse and his team take an evening to blow the dust off their Ford and County collections.  We also travel to Co. Down where Cyril Hanna has organised a fleet of local Ferguson tractors to haul in wholecrop silage, including two rare 1250's and a V8 1155.  This production is rounded off with the sights and sounds of the Dunmore single-chop world record attempt, including some rare harvesters working in a history of silage demonstration. Despite a tough summer the Vintage club aim to smash the previous record of 26 machines.

Meet the special characters who live and breathe classic tractors, as they put the pedal to the metal.

Sustain The Flame - 'Sustain the flame', the second DVD in a two-part series follows Luke Furse (Farmer's Weekly Contractor of the Year Finalist), his son Lloyd and the rest of the contracting team during the busy Autumn harvest season. This sequel to Grassmen's 'Keep er lit' DVD, focuses on corn cutting and maize harvesting Devon style.  The multicoloured fleet of machinery ensures there's something for everyone and the final verdict is delivered on the four tractor performance test, featuring a John Deere, Landini, Fendt and Case.

Green Fever - The third installment in the Grassmen documentary series, 'Green Fever' gives a comparison of silage making in counties Cork, Fermanagh and Down in the difficult 2011 season.  Featuring Troy Contracting, Read Agri Contracts and McKelvey Harvesting, a diverse range of kit can be seen in action across the unique challenges of each location.

Fulla the pipe - 'fulla the pipe’ is like no other production.  Using unique camera angles and real time action you will experience the highlights of 2010’s first cut silage season.  You will be taken on a journey through some of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular countryside by three of the province's largest contracting fleets.  The diversity of the machinery will ensure that there is something to suit every tractor enthusiast.  The reality of silage contracting is honestly and accurately portrayed in this documentary, with the weather and inevitable breakdowns being just some of the challenges faced.  More than just machinery, the characters amongst the Grassmen emerge as they share the highs, the lows and the humour of the season.  This DVD provides a snap shot of the art of silage contracting in the 21st century.

Related articles

The Great American Wheat Harvest

Working at the bottom of the world!

Farming Calendars 2015 Range

Farming Calendars 2015 Range

We may be early but we thought you wouldnt want to miss out on our selection of 2015 calendars! 

With 15 to choose from, all with amazing images capturing farming in the best possible way. Featuring tractors, combines and other farm machinery pictured in 12 monthly installments. All photography has been undertaken by Dave Franciosy of FarmingPhotography.co.uk. 

These would make a fantasic gift for all tractor and machinery enthusiasts. 

Farming and Tractor 2015 Calendars available to order now.

 

The Great American Wheat Harvest

The Great American Wheat Harvest is a documentary film that tells the story of hard-working families who spend each summer travelling from Texas to the Canadian border and beyond, harvesting thousands of acres of wheat. They take risks most of us wouldn’t dream of taking so that all of us have an abundance of food on our tables.

Battling high fuel prices, labor shortages, extreme weather, severe drought, and occasionally a fire, these harvesting crews wouldn’t dream of doing anything else, because they know they are harvesting the wheat that feeds the world.

http://www.oldpond.com/the-great-american-wheat-harvest.html 

 

View the trailer here:

 

Working at the bottom of the world!

Welcome to the lush green pastures of Southland, New Zealand.

Here on the other side of the world men and machines are turning the expansive fields into top quality winter feed.

But there is a twist!

12 men from Ireland and England came to New Zealand to experience unique farming practices and the contracting required to plough, sow, drill, mow and harvest for sheep, beef and diary cattle.

http://www.oldpond.com/grass-reapers-dvd.html

 

View the trailer here:

 

A Warm Welcome to Farming in Miniature: Volume 2

After the much anticipated wait, Farming in Miniature Volume 2 has finally hit the shelves with the official launch at the Tractor Show in Spalding last week. So much material has been assembled for the book that it had to be divided into two volumes.

Each manufacturer has been given its own chapter, identified by the brand name rather than the manufacturers name. Volume 1 covers manufacturers alphabetically from Airfix to Denzil Skinner, while this volume, volume 2, covers Dinky to Wend-al.

A glossary of technical terms appeared in Volume 1. It was stated in the introduction in volume 1 that the glossary would be included in both volumes, but rather than repeat information, the space has been used for an addenda with details of additional items for the manufacturers in Volume 1 that have come to the authors' attention since the book was finished. One of the fascinating aspects of toy collecting is that previously unrecorded variations seem to turn up quite regularly, so that in the time since Volume 1 was completed (less than a year) they have filled several pages with new finds!

You can purchase the new Farming in Miniature: Volume 2 from the Old Pond Publishing shop here

Related articles

Farming in Miniature new book on British-made toy farm vehicles advance information

Old Ponds visit to Spalding for Tractor 2014

Old Ponds visit to Spalding for Tractor 2014

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all our customers at Spalding Tractor 2014. It was great to catch up with you all and share our latest range of books and DVDs.

The unexpected arrival of Farming in Miniature Volume 2 was welcomed - none so than by one of it's authors Peter Wade-Martins.

This new release is a follow on from the first volume, covering 52 manufacturers with supplementary chapters on promotional model tractors, unknown manufacturers and identifies heavy tractors.

Peter, along with two other authors Robert and Adrian, have worked hard to have their work collated and it was great to be able to display the newly released volume 2 book at Tractor 2014. 

You can purchase Farming in Miniature 2 from the Old Pond Store here

 

Our friends Jonathan and Stephen at Tractor Barn Productions launched their two part DVD set The Farming Year, which was well recieved by the old pond customers.

The Farming Year- Through the Seasons uses footage taken over the last five years to show the widest possible variety of tractors and machinery at work out in the fields of Britain.

Part one of the story takes us from manure spreading in January to silage harvesting at the beginning of June.  

The second part of the story takes us from silage making in June to ploughing in December. 

You can view the DVD set here

 

If you missed us at Tractor 2014, then not to worry because we will be at The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show 8-9 November 2014, where you will have the chance to browse our collection of books and DVDs. 

 

Related articles

Farming in Miniature new book on British-made toy farm vehicles advance information

Classic Tractors, DVD Box Set

Know Your Classic Tractors new book by Chris Lockwood advance information

Massey Ferguson Farm Implements and Machinery Part 3 DVD advance information

Author News: Stuart Gibbard

Massey Ferguson Farm Implements and Machinery Part 2 DVD advance information