The Spirit of Farming Innovation
Working smarter in farming starts with innovation, from the first steel plows to today’s precision harvesting systems, farmers have always sought better ways to work the land. Farming has never been a profession for those afraid of hard work or new ideas. Across generations, farmers have looked at a problem in the field and thought, “There has to be a better way.” That mindset has driven everything from the first steel plows to today’s precision harvesting systems.
At Sunnybrook, we live that same spirit. From the Gen 2 Cylinder to the pioneering modular concave, our innovations are designed with one goal in mind: helping farmers work smarter, not harder. And we’re not alone, across the agricultural world, forward-thinking companies are creating tools that give farmers more yield, more efficiency, and more time.
From Horse-Drawn to High-Tech
The history of farming is the history of innovation. Mechanization in the 19th and 20th centuries transformed agriculture, while precision agriculture is reshaping it again today.
According to the USDA, 68% of large-scale crop-producing farms in the U.S. now utilize yield monitors, yield maps, and soil maps, while 70% employ autosteering systems and 45% utilize variable-rate technology (USDA ERS, 2023). These technologies are more than gadgets; they’re strategic tools that help farmers do more with less.
Sunnybrook’s Gen 2 Cylinder, Precision, Power, and Profitability
The Gen 2 Cylinder was designed to address a challenge that farmers are all too familiar with: obtaining the cleanest grain sample possible while minimizing losses and wear. By improving threshing efficiency and providing more uniform crop flow, the Gen 2 reduces rotor loss and grain damage, boosting both quality and yield.
Research indicates that precision harvesting tools can increase yields by 6–30%, depending on the crop type and conditions (Farm Equipment; Farmonaut). For farmers, that’s not just a cleaner bin, it’s more profit per acre, less time spent adjusting settings, and greater peace of mind during harvest.
The Modular Concave Revolution
Before Sunnybrook introduced the first modular concave, swapping concaves meant heavy lifting, downtime, and limited flexibility in the field. Our design features lightweight, interchangeable inserts that can be swapped quickly, changing that.
Minimizing downtime is more than convenience; it’s a direct profit driver. Farms can lose up to six valuable harvest hours during peak season, which can translate into $75,000 in lost yield or planting opportunity (Zenduit). With modular concaves, farmers gain control over threshing performance and can keep the combine rolling when it matters most.
Other Innovators in Action, Smart Tools Born from the Field
Sunnybrook isn’t the only company driving farming forward. Across the ag sector, farmer-driven innovation is producing clever, problem-solving tools.
• Spider Hitch – A versatile hitch system that makes connecting and maneuvering farm implements faster, safer, and simpler. Less time wrestling with hookups means more time in the field. (https://www.spiderhitch.ca/)
• RC Farm Arm – A remote-controlled auger spout positioning system, allowing operators to adjust unloading without leaving the cab, improving both precision and safety. (https://rcfarmarm.com)
• Duckfoot Parts – Paddle tines that improve feeding into the combine, reducing slugging and increasing throughput. Designed by farmers for farmers, it’s a prime example of innovation born from necessity. (https://duckfootparts.ca/)
These products reflect what ProAg notes as the primary motivators for adopting technology: to increase yield, save labor, and reduce input costs (ProAg).
Why Farmers Embrace Innovation, It’s in the Blood
Innovation isn’t about replacing the farmer’s hard work; it’s about honouring it. Farmers adopt new technology when it clearly delivers results: more bushels in the bin, more hours in the day, more dollars saved on inputs.
Studies show that over 60% of farmers adopt new agricultural technology within a three-year period (AgFunder), reflecting a deep-rooted willingness to adapt when the benefits are proven. The common thread? Each innovation must work as hard as the farmer using it.
Working Smarter, Together
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built through collaboration between farmers, engineers, and industry leaders who share the same vision. At Sunnybrook, we’re proud to be part of that network, creating solutions that help you harvest more than just crops; we help you harvest time, efficiency, and peace of mind.
Working smarter isn’t just a slogan. It’s a shared commitment to shaping the future of farming, one idea at a time.
