Amazone extends hoe range
With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals, Amazone has added a new model to its Venterra mechanical hoe range.
Valtra Unlimited, the specialist division of Finnish manufacturer Valtra, is celebrating its first decade, over which time around a third of all tractors produced have passed through its doors, taking customisation to a new level, so that bespoke machines are created to suit individual customer’s exact requirements.
Valtra Unlimited works closely with other companies to supply factory- fitted implements and systems. The origin of the Valtra brand-follows on from Valmet tractors being fitted with bespoke systems or accessories. The name Valtra stuck, so from 1997, Valmet was shelved and the new name applied to all new tractors onwards.
Part of the AGCO stable, at one time, the parent company toyed with the idea of merging its Valtra, Massey Ferguson, and Fendt brands to form the AGCO tractor brand. This idea met fierce opposition from the companies concerned, who still defend their independence with vigour, resulting in Fendt building a premium tractor, MF focused on improving the everyday machine and Valtra providing a tractor tailored to the individual.
As part of the Valtra Unlimited psyche, things started out with a myriad of colours, large arrays of extra lighting and off course an air horn, while also expanding the mechanical capabilities of the tractors. More recently, the installation of digital systems over and above standard spec has become an important part of its business.
As an example, the VIEW safety feature increases safety for people working within proximity of the tractor. Using front and rearmounted cameras and artificial intelligence to detect objects moving in front of the tractor, the operator can switch between camera views displayed on a high-resolution screen and alerted to potential hazards by warning lights and sounds.
In other news, while fire suppression systems are popular on forest machines, Valtra believes there might also be a market for such items on farm tractors.
Due to the enclosed nature of key components such as engines, hydraulics, fuel lines, electrical installations and exhaust after treatment system, tractor fires spread quickly but are also difficult to put out with a handheld extinguisher.
Claimed as a fast, compact, and efficient technique to extinguish a blaze, Valtra’s automatic fire suppression system comprises an agent storage tank linked to a network of hoses and nozzles located under the bonnet and cab.
Fitted at the Unlimited Studio at the Suolahti factory in Finland and available for fitting to the N5, T5 and Q5 ranges, operators release the extinguishing agent by pressing a button on the in-cab control box, while remote activation is also available to operate the system remotely.
Horticultural prices are set to remain elevated this year, reflecting the balance between demand in key export markets and an increase in supply.
The drought breaking rain in Northland was greeted with much joy and delight by the more than 200 people who turned out last week for a field day at the farm of Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust near the east coast settlement of Whangaruru, about 70km from Whangarei.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
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