The calvary arrives — finally!
The first batch of overseas drivers for local agricultural contracting work is expected in the country next week, says Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) chief executive Roger Parton.
A 4-METRE disc airseeder launched at Fieldays by Reese Agri is “a hit” with contractors, the company says. The machine is a disc variant of the Aitchison Airpro airseeder.
The new machine gained Reese Agri a finalist placing in the Fieldays innovation awards contest.
Sales manager John Norfolk says it has proved as much a hit with contractors testing it as with the Fieldays competition judges.
The prototype of the air seeder was tested by contractors in Hawkes Bay, Waikato and Taranaki. “The last contractor who did the trial work for us in Taranaki decided he didn’t want it to go back to the factory so he put a sticker with his company logo on it.”
Norfolk says the implement is popular because of its narrow transport width, multi-functionality (up to three boxes) and its ability to hug the ground contours “like no other”.
Though the air seeder has a 4m sowing width it folds up to 2.75m and can be towed at up to 40km/h. “It’s easy enough to transport through gates and over farm bridges but at the same time it’s got all the bits there to cover a lot of acreage fast.”
Norfolk says a frame consisting of three separate parts gives the seeder excellent contour-following ability, also improved by individually sprung discs that add another 120mm of individual travel.
The drill is offered with bins of 1500L or 1000L capacity; an optional 80L bin has individual hydraulically driven fans.
Tel. 06 357 9323
www.reesegroup.co.nz
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
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