Feeding maize silage in winter: Setting the herd up for success
As I write this article, we have just had our first frost in the Waikato, a change in weather signalling that winter is upon us.
A new mower from Irish manufacturer Malone will be of interest as a no-nonsense, heavy duty machine for use in hay or silage production.
It has undergone two years of testing in Europe and NZ.
The new ProCut 3000 MP has a centre pivot layout and uses hydraulic suspension to ensure it floats over the ground, maintaining a consistent cut and ‘treading lightly’ over the sward to encourage rapid regrowth.
Offered in a 3.0m cutting width (2.6m and 3.4m units are in the pipeline) the 3000 MP has seven discs each carrying two 4mm heavy cranked, quick fit blades to deal with heavy crops, forming a swath with the help of swath wheels.
Heavy duty transmission components are supplied by industry specialists Comer.
The mower bed, carried from a large section support beam, has drive hubs protected by shear bolts that will break if the machine hits buried junk. This prevents shock loading in the driveline and the rear of the tractor and allows easy replacement in the event of an impact.
Following Malone’s mantra of ‘easy to set up and maintain machines’, the new models have easy access to drive shafts, slip clutches and greasing points, with a full width flip-up outer cover.
In the transport position the mower folds beyond vertical to 115 degrees, so pulling the machine within the extremities of the tractor for safe travel at high speed.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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