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HarvestLab users sensors to automatically measure nutrient values of effluent.
John Deere's HarvestLab 3000 system has won the company a European Land and Soil Management Award at a Forum for Agriculture event.
The system uses sensors to automatically measure the nutrient values of effluent being applied to the paddock.
It enables farmers and contractors to improve the efficacy of effluents used to replace inorganic fertilisers. It calculates N, P and K values then regulates application rates based on nutrient targets or maximum application rates based on kg/ha.
The technology prevents under- or over-application and it can record total volumes applied for future reference. It is compatible with site-specific prescription maps.
The award to John Deere is endorsed by the European Union in association with the University of National Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna.
Meanwhile, the two Netherlands effluent gear manufacturers Schuitemaker and Veenhuis say they will merge later in 2019.
Schuitemaker is well known for its heavy-duty, self-loading silage wagons, manure spreaders and vacuum tankers, and Veenhuis specialises in slurry tankers and related equipment including a system to analyse the nutrient content of manures.
The companies say the merger will add value in marketing, sales, production and product support.
Schuitemaker, based in Rijssen, employs about 140 people while Veenhuis, at Raalte, has about 40 workers. Since November 2018, The regional investment company Wadinko is believed to have owned 36.25% of Schuitemaker since November 2018. It will remain involved after the merger.
Eventually all feeding machines will be painted red and yellow and will carry the Schuitemaker name. Manure and effluent machines will be coloured yellow and carry the Veenhuis brand.
While tractors combines and machinery for agriculture and construction is still its key business, John Deere appears to be taking opportunities in the hightech sector via acquisition, with the recent purchase of Sentera, a Minnesota-based company that specialises in equipment for capturing and interpreting aerial images.
John Deere have recently announced upgrades to its round baler offerings, with all models of this latest generation equipped with advanced ISOBUS capabilities, allowing them to be fully integrated into the John Deere Operations Center.
With agriculture in New Zealand coming out of the doldrums over the last few months and the recent announcement of a 20% tax write-off for capital purchases, it likely that farmers will be spending on tractors.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
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