John Deere launches Harvest Profit in NZ & Australia
Recently released in Australia and New Zealand by John Deere, a unique new software platform offers near real time profitability monitoring across crops and individual paddocks.
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.
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?