Drones, AI making cattle counting a dream
PGG Wrightson has launched a new stock-counting service using drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which it says removes all the hassle for farmers, while achieving 99.9% accuracy.
ISOBUS gives Hardi Navigator trailed sprayers automatic compatibility with the tractor and its on-board systems.
Most farmers will have heard about the commonly referred to “ISO”, the ISOBUS Communication Protocol, which is familiar to the technology that provides a universal connection between tractors and implements from different manufacturers.
ISO is also an option on the Hardi Navigator range of trailed sprayers that offers 3,000 to 6,000 litre tank capacities and 18 metre to 36.5 metre boom widths.
ISOBUS gives the Navigator automatic compatibility with the existing tractor and its on-board systems – meaning there is no need to invest in any special terminal, displays or controls.
More importantly, it means the user doesn’t have to learn the functions of another operating system, just use the Navigator via the tractor platform they are familiar with.
“It also saves a lot of tedious sprayer set-up and calibration work with no risk of running into installation or interface problems,” says HARDI’s NZ territory manager, Ross Dickson. “It’s a ‘plug and spray’ solution.”
For tractors not fitted with a guidance system, the HC8600 and HC9600 systems have been specially developed for agricultural use and provide perfect integration with the machine’s spray functions. Featuring 8.4-inch and 12.1-inch colour screens respectively, both provide access to a full range of ISOBUS and spraying functions from the main screen.
These include including guidance, autosteer and auto section control, plus information on application rate, tank contents, boom height, spraying speed and data capture.
“Designed as a high quality, high capacity sprayer that’s very user friendly, Navigator is, without a doubt, the most popular Hardi sprayer,” Dickson adds. “The ISOBUS connection fits right in with this concept by adding even more value to the machine.”
Farmlands says that improved half-year results show that the co-op’s tight focus on supporting New Zealand’s farmers and growers is working.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that discovery of a male Oriental fruit fly on Auckland’s North Shore is a cause for concern for growers.
Fonterra says its earnings for the 2025 financial year are anticipated to be in the upper half of its previously forecast earnings range of 40-60 cents per share.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is having another crack at increasing the fees of its chair and board members.
Livestock management tech company Nedap has launched Nedap New Zealand.
An innovative dairy effluent management system is being designed to help farmers improve on-farm effluent practices and reduce environmental impact.