Foliar feeding 'lifts N efficiency'
Research findings published in Europe support the concept of foliar fertilisation or foliar feeding in improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) while maintaining pasture productivity.
The recent cold snap makes it hard to imagine spring is just around the corner, but Tornado fertiliser spreaders from Agriquip should make a breeze of spreading for the new campaign.
Based on a heavy duty, hot dipped galvanised steel frame, the Tornado 1300 looks like it’s built to last, and that the designers have put some thought into how it’s put together.
Any components likely to contact the fertiliser – spreader discs, vanes, guards and hopper shutters – are manufactured from stainless steel; the one piece hopper is made from polyethylene and is quickly removed for access to the guts of the unit to do cleaning or maintenance.
Adjustments are easy: spreaders vanes are adjusted by a single wingnut, and the shutter opening by a threaded nylon rod. Shutter actuation is controlled from the tractor seat by hydraulic rams.
With a hopper capacity of 1300L, one tonne can be loaded easily with little risk of spillage. Spread width, dependent on material, is up to 36m.
The drive to the central and lateral oil-filled gearboxes is by 540rpm PTO, the standard specification includes a galvanised mesh in the upper hopper to remove lumps and foreign objects, and agitators keep fertiliser moving in the lower part.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
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