Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
German manufacturer Krone has developed two new versions of its 4m EasyCut F400 mower.
One, the EC F400 Fold, has no conditioner but a swathing auger, while the second has a rigid cutter-bar and an integrated roller conditioner.
Based on the original EC F400 CV Fold – awarded a silver medal at Agritechnica 2019 – the EC F400 Fold is fitted with the same patented folding system, reducing the transport width of the cutter-bar to 3.0m.
Featuring many years of experience gained with Big M swathing augers and the EasyCut B 950 Collect butterfly combination, the 45cm diameter auger swathes the crop (width is adjustable) between the tractor wheels.
Increased productivity from the 4.0m working width is said to be ideal for farms cutting fresh grass for cows or goats each day, but also extends the working width for those contractors using butterfly combinations. As an example, combined with the Krone EC B1000, more than 10m of grass can be knocked down with 57cm overlaps on each side.
Aimed at farmers growing alfalfa or other crops prone to leaf shatter, the EC F400 CR (roller conditioner) is equipped with a rigid cutter-bar and a standard conditioning unit consisting of two profiled 25cm-diameter polyurethane rollers.
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
A seminar on rural dispute resolution has been organised at Lincoln University, Christchurch this month.
The legacy of Dr Peter Snow continues to inspire as the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Peter Snow Memorial Awards were announced at the recent National Rural Health Conference.
One of Fonterra’s global customers, Mars is launching an ambitious sustainable dairy plan to work with dairy farmers and cut emissions by 50%.