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.
Kverneland has recently announced several upgrades for its iXtrack T4 trailed sprayer range – including a clever a 24/36m dual format, steel boom, 25cm nozzle distance and the next generation boom height control system.
In addition, the company claims to have taken precision spraying to the next level using its SpotSpray software. This is based on predefined prescription maps, which allows the sprayer to shut on and off in combination with the software and only spray designated areas of the paddock.
Achieved via predefined sections in the control terminal, working in combination with iXflow-Air or iXflow-E and even with normal sprayer section valves, the benefits include cost savings by reducing spray volumes and the ability to cover more hectares from a single tank fill.
Meeting end user requests, the 24/36m dual format HSS steel boom provides the flexibility to work at either bout width, without having to unfold the whole boom assembly.
Standard nozzle spacing is set at 50cm, but additional nozzle holders can be inserted to halve this distance to 25cm. This helps reduce spray drift, while also allowing easy selection of either spacing.
tive automated boom height control function, uses ultrasonic sensors working in conjunction with the sprayer’s hydraulic system. This is claimed to work in adverse conditions and at higher speeds. The hybrid mode measures both the distance to the plant and the ground and is said to be useful when working in uneven crops.
Current iXtrack features – like the iXclean Pro cleaning and rinsing system – will in future include new functions such as remote switching between filling, agitation, spraying, diluting, priming, rinsing and tank cleaning. Turbo agitation while making headland U-turns, easier cleaning of the main tank and automated functions for double pump layouts are also included in the new function list.
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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