Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
Palmerston North headquartered Strautmann Hopkins Ltd imports the extensive range of Strautmann Muck Spreaders for farmers and contractors, built by the German builder that calls on over 60 years of development, manufacturing and experience in the field of specialised spreaders.
The VS and PS ranges offer strong, reliable and accurate spreading of a wide range of products, including lime, farmyard manure, separated effluent solids, slurry, compost and bedding materials. Large volumes can be spread efficiently, with models from 20m3 to 32m3 capacity, with a myriad of options available to suit individual requirements.
Machines can be specified with a patented dynamic weighing and spreading control system that can be programmed to spread via pre-prepared application maps, ensuring accurate spreading density, while also offering proof of placement documentation to meet all existing and future legislation.
Designed to work with the ISOBUS architecture, machines can be controlled via the tractor’s integral display, allowing users to work under precision agriculture formats.
Recently introduced at Fieldays 2021, the new TS range takes the form of a more typical bathtub design featuring a low centre of gravity, a 2.7 metre loading height and capacities of 14 or 16 cubic metres.
The choice of twin vertical beaters or the universal spreader with two horizontal spreading discs sees the former utilising 880mm diameter rotors with 12mm thick milling times to shred material, and is fitted with a cam-clutch overload system.
Fitted with a single axle, the layout allows for large diameter tyres, up to 710-70-R38, to provide less rolling resistance, making the unit easier to tow. Standard features also include twin 16mm diameter floor chains, each rated to 28 tonnes breaking strain, driven hydraulically to allow precise presentation of the loader to the beater mechanism.
A narrow profile drawbar offers increased manoeuvrability, with the addition of spring suspension making for a smoother ride and increased operator comfort.
www.strautmann.co.nz
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
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.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
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