increase font size
With the wine industry seeking mechanical weeding options to reduce chemical reliance in vineyards, Italian manufacturer Orizzonti has introduced the Speed Green machine, with a novel, yet proven, solution.
Imported by Ag Tek, based at Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty, the machine takes the concept of the humble weed whacker used in many gardens and transforms it into a more industrial machine. A central hydraulically driven drum carries up to 10 heavy-duty nylon cords that effectively remove weeds.
Said to be ideal for dealing with the “dead-zone” between individual plants and removing the potential for stem damage that can occur with other mechanical mulching or cutting systems, left or right-handed units are driven from a tractor’s external remote valve with a requirement of only 25 litres per minute flow.
Offered in 60 or 80cm working widths, the “cutting” heads incorporate a quick-fix system for mounting of the cords, which allows the optimal length to be easily set as they wear during use.
Available for rear mounting on the three-point linkage or front mounting, support frames are designed and manufactured locally and can be customised for single, dual sided or bespoke operations.
The distributor suggests that because of the low hydraulic flow requirements, the machine lends itself to multi-tasking, taking care of weeding duties between the vines, to be complemented with a traditional mowing attachment to take care of grass between the rows.
Despite conditions in the farm machinery industry, which can only be described as difficult, the German-headquartered Claas Group has reported net sales of €5 billion for the 2024 financial, around €1.1 billion, or 19% lower than the corresponding period in 2023.
While the LDV brand has been available in New Zealand for a number of years, it’s typically been recognised as a second tier offering. That has started to change after distribution passed to the Inchcape Group in 2023, who are on a trajectory to improve that public perspective, and in due course, push sales upwards.
Mostly associated with conventional tractor tyres, Indian tyre manufacturer Ceat is reported to have bought the Camso off-highway tyre and track business from Michelin for about US$225 million (NZ$400 million).
Announced at the end of the year at the EIMA 2024 Event in Bologna, Italy, the Case IH Quadtrac 715 - the new flagship model in the Case IH tractor range - has won the Tractor of the Year 2025 High-Power Category for models of 300-plus horsepower.
Marlborough-based agritech company Smart Machines has reached a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionise vineyard management.
Did you know that nearly 90% of total New Zealand wine sales occur offshore? That simple number means our wine…
"Te toto o te tangata he kai, te oranga o te tangata, he whenua, he oneone." While food provides the…
RNA technology could be a gamechanger in vineyards, with the ability to turn gene expression on or off to protect…
New Zealand's wine regions harvested 395,000 tonnes of grapes in the 2024 vintage, which is 21% lower than 2023, nearly…
A system that combines UV-C light for disinfection could provide chemical free treatment of plant pathogens and diseases such as…
