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.
Amazone has combined its Precea precision air seeder and CombiDisc 3000 compact disc harrow to provide one-pass seedbed preparation and sowing at operating speeds of up to 15 km/h.
CLAAS harvest centre product manager for Amazone, Steve Gorman, says the mounted combination is ideal for use in light to medium soil structures.
“CombiDisc provides passive soil tillage while the Precea’s high pressure separator delivers precise seed placement at high operating speeds, he says. The seed is separated individually into each seed row and is introduced into the soil via the propulsion channel.”
With a working width of 3m, the CombiDisc is configured with two rows of 410mm diameter serrated discs, mounted in pairs on maintenance- free disc arms. Offering a working depth of 3 to 8cm, adjustment is achieved mechanically, or via an optional hydraulic cylinder controlled from the tractor cab.
“The rapidly-rotating discs provide a very good crumb structure, with the adjustable disc carriers in the wheel tracks and at the machine ends, ensuring a perfect levelling of the seedbed,” says Steve.
The CombiDisc 3000 is coupled to the tractor via Category 2 or 3 lower link mountings, while the seed drill is quickly and safely attached via the QuickLink quick coupling. A range of rollers is available to consolidate the seedbed in a range of soil type and operating conditions.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.