Claas rings up some big numbers
The Claas Group finished fiscal year 2023 with a substantial leap in sales that reflected the high demand for agricultural equipment.
A Claas Disco 1100 RC, billed as the largest tractor-mounted mower-conditioner on the market, has shattered the world record for mowing, knocking over 141ha of lucerne in just eight hours.
Mounted on a Claas Axion 870 tractor (295hp) with a continuously variable transmission, the triple mower-roller conditioner unit achieved an average work rate of 17.6 ha/hour. This was an impressive result given the average yield of 5.24 t/ha DM and the fact the crop was spread across four different fields.
The new record eclipsed the previous benchmark by 40.5ha set in grass – without conditioners and therefore a much easier task.
The record, yet to be verified by Guinness World Records, was set by Tate Mesbergen from Mesbergen Farms, Greely, Colorado, helped by his support team and CLAAS staff.
The start was delayed several hours by 12.7mm of rain that had fallen the previous day; and there were two unplanned stops in the paddock, one when the rig hit a piece of concrete that luckily caused no damage.
The Disco 1100 RC has a conditioner with two V-shaped interlocking polyurethane rollers which compress the hard stems while simultaneously preserving the precious leaves. This helps reduce the wilting time and preserves maximum feed value, because the leaves are preserved. But it increases the mower’s power consumption.
The 1100 incorporates the maker’s Max Cut cutter-bar, which has a wave-shaped mower bed press-formed from a single piece of metal.
The machine is the flagship in a range that includes 28 new front-mounted, rear-mounted and trailed models with operating widths from 2.6m to 10.7m.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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