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Maize silage has long been critical to livestock farmers' conservation choice for winter feed, so it's no surprise to see harvester manufacturers looking at new ways to make the crop more productive.
In the early days the crop needed to be cut extremely short to ensure all the kernels were cracked and digestible, then the corn cracker systems of the late 1980s allowed an increase in crop length, while achieving the same result.
A silver medal will go to Claas at Agritechnica in Germany in mid November for its recently launched MCC Max maize silage conditioning system for its Jaguar range of self-propelled forage harvesters.
Using a pair of rollers with a saw tooth profile and 30 angular segments, the system combines friction, cutting and shearing to intensively condition the grains and release the maximum amount of digestible starches (which increase energy levels), as well as shredding the stalk material at chop lengths up to 22mm.
This can increase feed value, and there advantages in the ensiling process, not least by achieving better levels of consolidation at longer chop lengths.
Surplus maize silage could find buyers in the burgeoning AD gas production industry from a common silage clamp.
Manufactured in Ireland, tested and launched at Agritechnica in Germany, AgriSpread’s new AS3000 bulk spreader takes much of the technology and features of the well-established AS2000 Series but adds a conveyor system to increase spreading widths up to 30m with lime/gypsum, up to 48m with urea and a whopping 52m with mineral and synthetic fertilisers.
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
Early December marks a key transition for many dairy farmers, as weaned replacement heifers head off-farm to grazing.
Case IH used Agritechnica to reveal its new Puma series tractor, featuring what it claims is an entirely new vehicle design, which allows operators to enjoy a smoother ride with superior manoeuvrability, alongside the latest precision technology.
Creating a great deal of enthusiasm at Agritechnica, the T5.120 ‘Il Trattore’ styling concept tractor was celebrating the legacy of research and development, engineering, and design expertise, with the concept bearing a striking green and red colouring and styling inspired by the original first Fiat tractor, the Fiat 702 and the ‘Made in Italy’ logo.
Environment Southland is inviting feedback on two bylaws that play a critical role in safeguarding the region's waterways and ensuring the safety of the local community.
While the North Island is inundated with rain, Southland is facing receding water levels as warm weather and lack of rainfall continues.
Entries have opened for the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards.
Organisers are expecting another full field of 40 of the country’s top shearers for the popular Speed Shearing event at this year’s Southern Field Days at Waimumu.
The Southern Field Days Innovation Awards have a great record in picking winners and the winner of the 2024 event will be putting up a display to support the event at this year’s show.
A buoyant farm economy should make for a successful 2026 Southern Field Days, says chairman Steve Henderson.
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