Wide harrow helps cover more ground
Cultivation and seeding specialist LEMKEN has topped off its Rubin compact disc harrow range with massive ten-metre working width.
The German cultivation and seeding specialist Lemken has bought the Dutch company Skeketee – part of its plan to promote mechanical weeding, given the pressure growing on the use of weedkillers.
Lemken managing director Anthony van der Ley comments, “the acceptance of chemical crop care agents is decreasing among farmers and the broader society”.
“There are also issues with resistance to currently available chemicals… besides the growing problem of ever-tightening regulation of product use.”
Skeketee, founded in 1936, is best known for its mechanical weed control gear, camera-assisted machine control, and its Rumpstad cultivation division that produces front-mounted, swing-over furrow presses and ploughs.
The proprietary camera technology allows operators to precisely remove weeds from between rows and plants, providing a good alternative to chemical spraying.
Lemken employs about 50 staff at its Stad aan’t Haringvliet base.
It will retain existing staff and expanding existing production facilities.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.