increase font size
Horsch says it is at an advanced stage with developing an autonomous planter and will release more details soon.
German farm machinery manufacturer Horsch says it is at an advanced stage with developing its aptly named Robo autonomous planter and will release more details soon.
The new technology was spotted recently on social media, with a video showing one of the company's large red planters being towed to a field by a truck, then being put through its paces drilling corn. The development has been confirmed by chief executive Phillip Horsch with the Robo planter undergloing real planting trials.
"The Robo works well, planting autonomously and making turns unaided on the headland etc," he explained.
Horsch also noted that because safety regulations in Germany are so strict for fully autonomous vehicles that a supervisor/operator has to stay within 600 metres and always be watching the machine.
He confirmed that two more autonomous "concepts" would follow the Robo planter by the end of the year. The autonomous machine is likely to be released in about two years, subject to ongoing efforts to relax the current stringent regulations. The company also manufactures trailed and self-propelled sprayers and is said to be keen to develop robotic versions of these machines as well.
Horsch says the autonomous planter was likely to be released for sale in about two years, depending on efforts to change current regulations.
Running on a twin-track system, the Horsch Robo is equipped with a Trimble navigation system and fitted with a large seed hopper that supplies the 24-row Maestro seeding element.
The arrival of new F8 and F9 designations for its 8000 and 9000 series forage harvesters, signals a swag of upgrades from John Deere, highlighted by topping the 1000hp mark for the first time.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
Ashburton-based Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the lower North Island and the South Island, effective August 1, 2025.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Samasz distributor FarmShop has introduced the new XDF Series Front Mowers, said to be refined for local conditions and to improve cutting precision and wear resistance.
Potatoes New Zealand has congratulated Peter Reynolds of TA Reynolds Ltd in Pukekohe on being awarded the Horticulture New Zealand Bledisloe Cup, recognising a lifetime of service and contribution to New Zealand horticulture.
Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during his recent trip here.
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
The Southern Dairy Hub (SDH), which runs a demonstration farm for South Island farmers, has a new general manager.
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any…
OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…
