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German harvest specialist Claas will take away a silver medal from the upcoming Agritechnica show for its automatic pressure control system (APC).
The APC allows operators to get maximum performance from the new Quadrant 5200 and 4200 large square balers.
As experienced operators know well, while a tractor of sufficient power is required for output, there is little point in baling at high pressure setting if the twine is unable to withstand these loads. So for the new series, Claas has moved away from working only on bale chamber pressure, to now also monitoring the load on the baling twine.
The quality of the twine, measured in metres per kilogramme, will determine its ultimate capacity. This value is entered into the implement control terminal (ICT) by the operator. Ion operation sensors measure the load on the twine and if this approaches or exceeds the maximum load the system automatically and gradually reduces the system pressure until the overload is rectified – then it resets to the pre-arranged system pressure. With this system of measurement the baler is capable of making bales of uniform density irrespective of crop conditions and operator experience, maximising daily output.
Following the €1.6 million investment in a prototype workshop in early 2025, Claas has invested an additional €3.3 million at its Metz-Woippy baler production plant to increase production capacity.
After its flagship 1200 model set a Guiness World Record in forage harvesting, mopping up 4096 tonnes of whole crop silage in 12 hours, Claas has picked up a brace of awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE).
Manufactured in Ireland, tested and launched at Agritechnica in Germany, AgriSpread’s new AS3000 bulk spreader takes much of the technology and features of the well-established AS2000 Series but adds a conveyor system to increase spreading widths up to 30m with lime/gypsum, up to 48m with urea and a whopping 52m with mineral and synthetic fertilisers.
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
Case IH used Agritechnica to reveal its new Puma series tractor, featuring what it claims is an entirely new vehicle design, which allows operators to enjoy a smoother ride with superior manoeuvrability, alongside the latest precision technology.
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.
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