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.
Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting the most from each pass of the paddock.
But there remains significant untapped potential to positively impact farm businesses through greater utilisation of technology.
Until recently, only farmers who purchased new equipment were able to access the latest precision agriculture (PA) innovations to maximise efficiency and productivity. The goal of precision agriculture is to maximise margins via a wide range of actions, from seed placement at the right depth, spacing and volume, through to targeted and efficient fertiliser and pesticides applications.
John Deere says achieving full potential in precision agriculture has now changed with its Precision Essentials packages, which can bring the latest technology to all ages and makes of machinery. Precision Essentials allows farmers to tailor the latest hardware and software to the specific needs of a farm business, by making it affordable, accessible and adaptable to all. Traditionally farmers bought their technology upfront, which of course, is still an option. The company says Precision Essentials options will facilitate a lower upfront cost for a display, receiver and modem, alongside selecting a pre-packaged licence for required elements, such as AutoTrac, Section Control and RTK.
Importantly, Precision Essentials equipment can also be retrofitted to aging equipment, and mixed fleets. As farming operations evolve, users can upgrade licences to suit their needs to ensure they have the greatest impact on farm. By being continually connected, farmers will be able to benefit from software updates.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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