Agricultural drone use soars among NZ contractors
Use of agricultural drones by contractors in New Zealand is soaring.
Claims by manufacturers of increased performance or reduced costs can sometimes be vague.
Tyre industry giant Michelin is being more specific with a claim, following a trial at Harper Adams University in the UK, that farmers can expect an increase in yield of 4% using the company's Ultraflex tyre technology.
Based on the establishment, growing and harvest of a wheat crop, the company claims that if all the vehicles in the world's wheat growing areas used Ultraflex tyres, the expected increase in production would be around 23 million tonnes. Interestingly, the US Department of Agriculture says this is how much wheat is needed annually to feed the total US population of 319 million people, and it's equivalent to Germany's annual wheat production.
The company claims the key benefit of Ultraflex technology is the ability to reduce tyre pressures below the norm, protecting the ground from rut formation and ground compaction. These points alone encourage the permeation of air and water through the soil profile, improving plant uptake of nutrients.
The larger footprint of Ultraflex also helps spread weight over a larger area, as well as improving traction and reducing wheel slip, which reduces time in the paddock, improves productivity and reduces fuel usage.
Ultraflex is available for vehicles used throughout the production cycle – AxioBib, XeoBib and YieldBib for tractors, CereXbib for harvesters and CargoXBib for trailers.
www.trstyreandwheel.co.nz
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.
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