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ForageSelect app to help farmers make better decisions.
A new app designed to simplify forage planning and boost farm productivity has been launched.
ForageSelect will help deliver smarter, more practical solutions that respond to the needs of New Zealand farmers and retailers, says app owner Cropmark Seeds.
ForageSelect was originally developed by Cropmark Seeds’ plant breeder, Nick Cameron. As part of his side hobby in app development, Cameron wanted to create something that would make forage decisions easier and more effective. It was a collaborative approach, with Cameron working closely with the technical staff within the company, utilising their expertise and regional knowledge to develop the tools found within it.
“The app was so innovative and practical that it quickly became clear it was too good not to share with the wider farming community,” says Callum Davidson, NZ sales manager, Cropmark Seeds.
ForageSelect provides detailed, up-to-date descriptions of all commercially available forage cultivars in New Zealand. This includes guidance on the best fit for each cultivar, considering your region, animal type, soil acidity, and summer rainfall. With ForageSelect, you’ll have everything you need to make informed decisions, even when working in areas with limited cell phone coverage, says Davidson.
He says ForageSelect offers financial benefit tools by assessing the economic advantages of different forage options, accurately projects crop yields for smarter planning and evaluates pasture performance and identify areas for improvement.
“No other resource consolidates this level of information and functionality into a single platform. ForageSelect not only helps you choose the right cultivars but also provides critical tools for analysing potential returns and maximising yields.
“ForageSelect works offline, so you can use it anywhere—whether you’re on the farm, in the back paddock, or out of cell phone range. It’s the practical tool you need for smarter farming decisions.”
Davidson says ForageSelect is free to download.
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The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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