increase font size
German manufacturer Horsch says it is at an advanced stage of developing its autonomous planter.
German farm machinery manufacturer Horsch says it is at an advanced stage of developing its aptly named Robo autonomous planter.
The company says it will release more details toward the end of June 2022.
However, recently on social media, a video showed one of the company's large red planters being towed to a field by a truck, then being put through its paces drilling corn. This led chief executive Phillip Horsch to confirm that the Robo planter was undergoing real planting trials.
"The Robo works well, planting autonomously and making turns unaided on the headland etc," he says.
Horsch also noted that safety regulations in Germany are so strict for fully autonomous vehicles that a supervisor/operator had to stay within 600 metres to always watch the machine.
He added that two more autonomous 'concepts' would follow the Robo by the end of the year. The company also manufactures trailed and self-propelled sprayers and is keen to develop robotic versions of these machines as well.
Horsch indicated the autonomous machine 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.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Wrapped bales arrived in the 1980s offering a viable alternative to clamp silage, and they remain a solution for those not wishing to invest in expensive clamps – a solution for smaller farms and a means to clearing excess grass at the end of the season.
Celebrating 50 years of being in business in 2025 and specialising in the design and manufacture of an extensive range for the rural industries, Feilding-based McKee Plastics was at Fieldays highlighting a range of feeding products.
John Deere have recently announced upgrades to its round baler offerings, with all models of this latest generation equipped with advanced ISOBUS capabilities, allowing them to be fully integrated into the John Deere Operations Center.
The Landini Rex 4 Series, recently released in New Zealand, is designed with vineyards in mind.
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.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?
