John Deere Unveils New Engines at ConExpo Las Vegas
The recent ConExpo construction show held in Las Vegas, said to be the largest exhibition of its type in the world, saw John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) preview two new mid-range industrial engines.
John Deere has enhanced its grain harvesting line-up, covering the 600C corn heads and 600F Hydraflex draper units.
There is also a new 12 row folding corn head for the 2016 campaign, of interest to larger producers as it allows outputs of around 0.4ha per day more than a traditional 8 row set-up. Due to the increased capacity the units have been upgraded to row-unit slip clutches and the driveshaft interfaces have a longer service life.
For soyabean or small grain growers there are improvements to the 630, 635 and 640 FD Hydraflex draper units -- streamlined end-dividers to reduce crop knockdown, a wider centre feed opening to allow up to 15% more throughput, and stronger reel fingers and bearing supports to improve crop pickup and flow.
While the District Field Days brought with it a welcome dose of sunshine, it also attracted a significant cohort of sitting members from the Beehive – as one might expect in an election year.
Irish Minister of State of Agriculture, Noel Grealish was in New Zealand recently for an official visit.
While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.
AgriZeroNZ has invested $5.1 million in Australian company Rumin8 to accelerate development of its methane-reducing products for cattle and bring them to New Zealand.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
A bull on a freight plane sounds like the start of a joke, but for Ian Bryant, it is a fond memory of days gone by.

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