100 years of Farmall Tractors
Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of Ashburton on 6-7th April.
Livestock haulers are a crucial link in the New Zealand agriculture supply chain, transporting stock onto or between farms, to livestock markets and processing plants.
Throughout their day, stock truck drivers are exposed to the obvious risks of getting injured by the animals, particularly in yards or races. They are also exposed to risks as they move around the livestock crate on the truck.
In many cases, drivers must traverse a walkway on the top of the crate to move cattle between pens, and at over 4 metres off the ground, they are exposed to substantial risk. Add in wind, rain and a vehicle being rocked by agitated cattle and the danger is clear.
Conventional crate designs are open topped, increasing the risk of animal escapes or animals hitting overhead structures. While there is now a mandatory requirement to use cover nets, they don’t always work and rely on drivers wanting to use them.
Hastings-based Landquip, working with an idea suggested by a stock truck owner and developed by a stock truck driver, manufactures Cratesafe. This is a modular, dual purpose protective screen system that protects drivers from falling over the edge of the crate, while also serving as a cover net for livestock.
Tested and modified over a six-month period, Cratesafe is built locally – using NZ-sourced, quality materials. It also meets handrail and ladder code AS/NZS1170, while the hybrid design – using high strength fiberglass extrusions along with stainless steel – offers strength, flexibility and low weight.
With minimal moving parts, reducing the risk of malfunction, the units are maintenance-free and close in a downward motion making it easier and faster to close on a full stock crate. The operator can engage/ disengage the screens from inside the crate – if it is safe to do so.
The lightweight, composite design means weight is kept to a minimum. Meanwhile, the modular design means the kit is suitable for fitting to any of the standard crate sizes built in NZ. Installing kits will typically take two people around 2.5 hours per crate.
The use of composite materials makes the units non-conductive, so reduces the electrocution risk when maneuvering under electrical cables in yards.
The safety screens are easily visible to the operator from the truck cab or ground level if left open, meaning the vehicle will be over-height – so need to be closed to travel legally and keep stock safe.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…