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 Strautmann is launching a shorter chop version of its Magnon 10 loader wagon that was launched in 2019.
While the 10 is equipped with 48 knives for a 35mm chop, the new Magnon 11 has a total of 84 blades, allowing it to chop material down to as short as 22mm.
The maker suggests that demand is being driven by dairy farms that want a precision harvester shorter chop that is comparable to that of a self-propelled harvester but would prefer to operate a forage wagon. To deal with the extra forces created by chopping shorter, the driveline is rated for 3000Nm of torque, around 40% greater than the Magnon 10), with the gearboxes getting increased dimensions and extra metal.
Said to need around 20% more power than the Magnon 10, the manufacturer recommends 220hp or more, to deal with the loadings created by a range of body capacities from 42m3 to 52m3, without the dosing beaters.
Alongside the chopping system, the new wagons also feature an updated Flexi-Load pickup that deviates from a traditional tine band to scrapers at the rear of the assembly to guide the material delivered by the polyurethane tines. The main benefit of this design is direct access to the tine fasteners, making replacement a much simpler and quicker operation.
The new Flex-Load will be fitted to all Magnon 11 pre-series wagons for next season, while a limited number of Magnon 8 and 10 wagons fitted with the system, before it is eventually made available for the Super and Giga Vitesse wagons at some point in the future. The short chop machines will be fully available in 2025.
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.