Is augmented reality the future of farming?
Imagine a farmer being able to tell a paddock’s pasture cover and dry matter content just by looking at it, or accessing information about a cow’s body condition score in the same way.
British company BuyAnyPart has launched a service manufacturing rare or obsolete parts using 3-D printing technology.
The product should help with the angst suffered in sourcing replacement parts for older machinery.
It starts by modelling the required part on a computer using CAD (computer-aided design) software or by scanning the item with a 3-D scanner.
Fully functioning parts can be created by 3-D printing, with the additional benefit that you can create as many as you want.
The filaments and machines used for the 3-D printing process have evolved enormously over the last few years and are durable, strong and very precise. Depending on the material, the parts can be used as temporary or permanent replacements or as guides/templates for manufacturing actual replacements, perhaps from a designated grade of steel.
The company says “the usefulness of an older tractor or machine shouldn’t be determined by the availability of spare parts, so we are happy to offer an alternative to extend their working lives”.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
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Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
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