Hose runner saves time and effort
Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval of temporary water troughs used in winter break feeding.
Back in May, Claas announced the cessation of its Cargos loader wagon production, citing falling or at best static demand, while optimists suggested that the move would open the arena to other manufacturers to increase their market shares.
Much to the relief of many users of the lime green wagons who prefer self-loading wagons over the more popular precision chop, delivered by self-propelled forage harvesters, it appears all is not lost.
Fellow German company Fliegl has acquired the rights to manufacture and market the self-loading/ dual purpose wagons, initially under the same Cargos product name, but under the Fliegl brand name.
Production will move from Claas’ Bad Salgau factory, releasing space for increased production of the Orbis row crop headers, to Fliegl’s site at Kirchdorf, near the Austrian border.
The first wagons under the new branding are expected to be available in early 2023.
In other Fliegl news, the company’s new Steer-X, electro-hydraulic steering system, differs from other self or forced steering layouts, used to reduced turning radius and tyre wear, by removing the mechanical linkage to the towing tractor.
Steer-X uses a sensor on the trailer that works in conjunction with the tractor’s load sensing hydraulic system and an ISOBUS connection. Using information on inclination and speed, the sensor transmits the ideal steering angle to the steering cylinder.
The system is said to deliver numerous benefits including a wider drawbar steering angle, faster connection and less maintenance, alongside minimised lateral forces when cornering and reduced tyre wear. Additionally, the system can also provide greater driving stability when travelling at higher speeds or when undertaking sudden or evasive manoeuvres.
Healthcare appears to be the big winner in this year's budget as agriculture and environment miss out.
OPINION: Foreign policy is a real strength of Winston Peter and this is recognised by Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) officials who, so the story goes, wanted him in his present role because of his experience in that field.
DairyNZ subsidiary New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL) will update the genetic base used to calculate Breeding Worth (BW) next month.
Ruralco has donated $10,000 to the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust following a recent fundraising golf tournament.
Nominations are open for three positions on the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
Lydia Goodman has been crowned the Central Otago 2025 Young Grower of the Year regional winner.