Case IH launches new Tier 3 Puma Tractor at Fieldays
Case IH is expanding its popular Puma range in New Zealand, with a new model that was released at Fieldays.
While we have become accustomed to vehicle manufacturers offering alternative fuel sources for its ranges, other than New Holland with its commercially available T6 Methane tractors, the agricultural landscape is firmly fixated on diesel power.
With the realisation that current battery technology does not lend itself to agricultural situations, tractor manufacturers have looked a little more closely at alternative fuels to power their compression ignition (CI) engines. Kubota is the latest to announce that its new tractors are suited to running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
The company has also confirmed that it is possible for its new dieselengine tractors to run on both HVO and GTL (gas to liquid) which will contribute to a lower carbon footprint for Kubota IC engines.
As a manufacturer of industrial engines, tractors, grounds care and construction equipment, Kubota has realised that HVO, which is synthesised from vegetable oil and fat, is likely to become increasingly popular due to its environmental benefits. GTL meanwhile is synthesised from natural gas, therefore its contribution to reducing total carbon emissions is somewhat reduced.
Having undergone extensive trials to evaluate any effect on the performance and achieving a clean bill of health, Kubota has confirmed that that any paraffinic fuel that complies with the European standard EN15940 is suitable for use across its range of diesel engines. The company also notes that there is no need to flush fuel tanks or change filters, as HVO and GTL, meeting the EU standard, are safe to mix with common diesel.
There are changes to existing maintenance intervals or warranty conditions when using these fuels, although operators may notice a slight degradation in engine performance when using them due to the lower energy density of paraffinic fuels, compared to diesel.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
A leading financial and banking advisor says he doubts if most dairy farmers fully understand the dynamics of banking.
Dairy farmers are shoring up their balance sheets, with almost $1.7 billion of debt repaid in the six months to March 2025.
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
A former Fonterra executive is the new chair of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
OPINION: A last-minute compromise ensured that the election of the new Federated Farmers national dairy chair wasn't a repeat of…
OPINION: Just as it's healthy for cockies to get out of the shed and off the farm occasionally to get…