Agricultural drone use soars among NZ contractors
Use of agricultural drones by contractors in New Zealand is soaring.
Firstly there was GPS and all of a sudden you knew what paddock you were in on the farm, then auto-steering kept you on the straight and narrow cleverly matching up bouts so there were no embarrassing misses.
The latest addition to the Case IH precision package takes the game a step further with the NextSwath app.
NextSwath takes the effort out of headland turns with a fully automated system that will boost efficiency and precision in many arable operations
In practice, as the tractor approaches the end of a swath or bout, the system calculates the best possible track to turn the tractor and implement around and bring it back onto line for the next pass.
This automation has several benefits, not least relieving the driver of a substantial workload, so it should prove particularly useful when using wide trailed implements and by ensuring there is no under- or overshooting which can result in increased 'shuttling' on headlands.
While doing the calculation the system will select the shortest route, which saves time, increases daily outputs and helps to save fuel. It lends itself to any row crops that need regular applications of herbicides, and helps prevent soil compaction on headlands as the tractor will travel over the area in a more controlled and regular way.
NextSwath is now available for the Case IH XCN 2050 and FM-1000 terminals and can be easily installed using an app.
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Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
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