Lely order book 'slightly better'
Dairy automation company Lely reported a 3.4% decline in total turnover last year but notes that sales are picking up.
The EasyCut B 950 Collect is a non-conditioning mower with 450mm merger augers, said to be ideal for tall crops such as ryegrass, or more delicate crops such as lucerne, that may usually cause blockages or damage when put through a conditioner mower.
First introduced to the market five years ago, this lightweight and compact mower has been recently revamped by the German manufacturer to enhance versatility.
Offering 9.45 metres mowing width, the main improvements include an ISOBUS compatible terminal allowing the operator to control and adjust the shape of the swath being delivered behind the machine, alongside the option to independently lift or lower the mower units.
At the rear of the mower units, the hoods behind the augers open and close hydraulically allowing a choice of three delivery modes, including swathing, independent swathing or no swathing.
The heavy-duty auger units are powered by a right-angle gearbox to revolve at a consistent speed of 750rpm, giving optimal conditions for maximum efficiency and productivity. Mounted closely behind the cutter bars, they can feed large volumes of crop in a consistent flow to the centre of the combination, forming a well-shaped and uniform swath for following harvester or baler.
The EasyCut B 950 Collect is fitted with hardened wear-skids as standard, that also serve to help to reduce ground pressure, while protecting the cutter bar and the sward.
Other useful upgrades include a lever on the nearside guard that allows the mower hood to be lifted for improved maintenance access, but also increases the space between the mower and the tractor, making for easier access to the tractor linkage during hitching or removal.
The 2025 South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) chairman, Rangiora farmer Andrew Stewart, is predicting a successful event on the back of good news coming out of the farming sector and with it a greater level of optimism among farmers.
WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds, following a sentencing for a death at one of South Canterbury’s biggest agribusinesses.
Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.
Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.
Precision application of nitrogen can improve yields, but the costs of testing currently outweigh improved returns, according to new research from Plant and Food Research, MPI and Ravensdown.
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