Wednesday, 05 February 2020 13:52

Hemp harvesting up

Written by  Mark Daniel

With hemp production expected to increase in New Zealand over the coming years, it might not be too long before we see some strange looking machines out in the paddocks.

In Holland, Dutch hemp grower Dun Agro has three specialised machines that harvest the valuable flowers and upper leaves separately from the lower stems, all in one operation. 

Based around Claas Xerion systems tractors, with plenty of heavy-duty componentry to deal with the “tough” crop, the layout sees a high-level Shelbourne Reynolds stripper header working ahead of a 6.0 metre / 4 -rotor Kemper unit, at speeds of up to 10kph.

The first two units, a leaf storage bunker is mounted on a rotating frame, that is swivelled hydraulically to discharge to the side. This allows them to discharge directly into trailers, although some care is needed around field perimeters to avoid becoming entangled with overhanging trees.

The newest version gets a 38 cubic metre bunker that is mounted longitudinally on the machine, with the body being raised hydraulically to deliver its contents to a rear-mounted and telescoping side-delivery conveyor. 

The new layout is said to lend itself to unloading on the move, a function not possible with the two previous versions due to tractors and trailers having to run over the hemp straw swaths.

More like this

Ancient fibre could rebuild the regions

OPINION: Local Government is badly underfunded. Economic circumstances demand a new approach to funding the constant burden of infrastructure delivery and renewal. The costs can be eased for rural ratepayers.

Foundations for a fine new fibre

A group of South Island farmers say they are about to expand their range after the successful launch of an apparel business based on blending hemp fibre with merino wool.

Featured

'One more push' to eliminate FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

National

Machinery & Products

New McHale terra drive axle option

Well-known for its Fusion baler wrapper combination, Irish manufacturer McHale has launched an interesting option at the recent Irish Ploughing…

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Tough times

OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.

MSA triumph

OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter