Krone unveils new CombiPack HDP baler and halts US exports
Well-known for an extensive range of round balers, Krone’s new CombiPack HDP looks to have several features that sets it apart from its competitors.
Masterton distributor Tulloch will showcase products from its Krone, Baertschi and Monosem stables at this year's Central Districts field days.
In the Krone display, look out for the new ActiveMow range of disc mowers, developed from the well-known AM series. They embody innovations such as the SmartCut cutter and the SafeCut safety system. The former uses a wedge shaped, fully welded cutter-bar which is leakproof, permanently lubricated and quiet running due to large spur gears.
The safety system features a unique disc mounting hub that will break an easily changed roll pin if an obstruction is encountered, protecting the main cutter-bar from any major damage.
A revised headstock has greater strength and an improved spring suspension system for optimum ground pressure and contour following.
Known for high capacity balers, the Krone MultiBale will be on display. This machine incorporates high speed technology and HDP from the larger balers and offers a bale size of 800mm wide x 700mm high for stability and the ability to load trucks four high for maximum permissible weights.
However, the unique feature is the ability of the machine to make either conventional large square bales up to 2.7m long or utilise the MultiBale feature to produce up to nine bales of 0.3 to 1.35m long which are bound into a single package. This offers the advantage of clearing paddocks quickly, but allows the packs to be broken down into single items for easy use onfarm.
The Oekosem Rotor Strip-till is manufactured by Baertschi in Switzerland. This concept has been configured to suit New Zealand pasture based farming for cost effective establishment of fodder beet, maize and sweet corn. This last season has seen some very pleasing results in Taranaki.
The configuration incorporates Rotor Strip-till, dual placement of fertilisers and slug bait and precision placement of seed in one pass.
A 12 row fodder beet planter from Monosem will be on display showing the patented Monoshox technology. This focuses on improvements for better germination. The maker's 70 years of precision planter design experience has brought to the industry a host of enviable patents, and a simple design with the fewest moving/wearing parts.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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