Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
The SC Pro-Bio rotary cultivator is specifically designed to target cover crop incorporation and improve soil organic matter.
Italian manufacturer Maschio has introduced the SC Pro-Bio rotary cultivator, specifically designed to target cover crop incorporation, resulting in improved soil organic matter.
Maschio’s SC Pro-Bio has been designed to break down and incorporate crop residues, cover crops and green manures. Plant debris are mulched and mixed with fine soil in the top few centimetres of the profile, thereby speeding up the decomposition and transformation of residue into compost-like material.
The company, whose products are imported and distributed in New Zealand by the Power Farming Group, suggests that adding a front flail mower to the operation can improve mulching and organic matter breakdown, particularly in thicker cover crops.
Suitable for use with tractors from 110hp and 170hp, the SC Pro- Bio is equipped with 6 ‘L’ type blades per flange, operating at 540rpm or 1,000rpm, to achieve a rotor speed of up to 300rpm.
To achieve a uniform working depth across the full 2.8 or 3.1 metre working width of the machine, the SC Pro-Bio has four depth wheels to ensure optimum stability and uniformity – particularly at shallow settings. Working at depths of 3cm to 6cm the SC Pro-Bio can work to speeds of up to 10km/h.
To aid aeration, with the aim of increased breakdown, the rear hood can be adjusted hydraulically from the tractor seat to allow perfect control of soil mixing.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.

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