Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 400 i Farms and Farm Machinery

Case IH’s new Farmall M made its Australian debut at the FarmFest Field Days at Toowoomba last month, with the manufacturer saying the new models are upping the ante among utility tractors. The Farmall M is a new addition to the broader Farmall Series, which includes the Farmall B, C, JX, JXM and U Series, says Seamus McCarthy, Case IH Australia and New Zealand product manager for mid-horsepower and compact tractors. “Case IH’s utility tractor range is strengthened by the introduction of the Farmall M, combining many of the best Farmall features, such as the Farmall U’s SPS transmission, hydraulics and electronic draft control and Farmall JX’s superior engine and front axle design,” he says. With both 90 and 110 horsepower (67 and 82kW) models, the Farmall M models come…

TYM has bulked up its T613 tractor range, adding two hydrostatic transmission models to sit alongside the manual options already available. This means the South Korean manufacturer now has four T613 models available, with both hydrostatic and manual available in either rollover protection system or cabin tractors. A new feature of the hydrostatic transmission tractors is an auto throttle control, which automatically increases the engine’s rpm and allows the operator to have both hands on the steering wheel. “The auto throttle control is an operator’s dream, enabling concentration on the task at hand while the engine rpm is managed by pressing the HST [hydrostatic transmission] foot pedal,” says sales and marketing manager of TYM’s Australian distributor Inlon, Gary Surman. “It also increases efficiency.” The 60 horsepower (45kW) hydrostatic tractors also…

They won’t land in Australia until later this year, but buyers of John Deere’s 9 Series of tractors are already making plans. Cropping contractors Sam, Chris and David Haworth, based in West Wyalong in New South Wales, have already put the new 9 Series to use, testing the machine when sowing wheat for a client as part of a demo of the 9R 520 organised by the local John Deere dealer. Working across more than 25,000 hectares, the brothers were impressed with the extra horsepower in the 9R 520 – delivered by the John Deere PowerTech PSS 13.6L engine and the machine’s connectivity with the John Deere 1890 Disc Seeder. So much so, they ordered two of them. “For this purchase, we were looking for bigger equipment to cover more…

The new N and T Series models are available immediately. Valtra has added a host of new fifth generation tractors to its already bulging portfolio, this time in the N and T Series, all destined for the Australian market. After launching the smaller fifth generation G and A Series tractors late last year, the focus now is on even more technology and smart solutions in the new N and T Series tractors. This most recent launch is to further mark 2021 as the 70th anniversary year for the Finnish manufacturer and there are more celebrations to come. Valtra vice president of sales and marketing Mikko Lehikoinen says that these tractors have new smart functions and are comfortable and easy to operate. “We have made plenty of improvements in the new…

Australian farmers are collectively confident for a productive year ahead, according to Rabobank’s quarterly rural confidence survey. Rabobank Australia chief executive Peter Knoblanche says the survey painted an overall encouraging depiction of the country’s agricultural sector, due to strong prices and good growing conditions. “There is certainly a view out there among many farmers that business conditions right now are excellent. Many would say it’s as good as it gets, and they can’t see how it could get any better,” he says. The survey reveals almost 90 per cent of Australian farmers expect the excellent business conditions currently being felt throughout the sector to either continue or improve across the year ahead. Of those, 35 per cent of farmers expect them to improve over the year ahead – a five…

Royal Darwin Show – Darwin With the aim of promoting, encouraging and assisting the development of primary industry, commercial and cultural activities, mining and industrial resources of the Northern Territory, the Royal Darwin Show has livestock, a horticultural pavilion, food, entertainment and a carnival. WHEN: July 22-24, 2021 MORE INFO: darwinshow.com.au Sheep Connect – Hamilton Sheepvention Rural Expo has been replaced this year with Sheep Connect 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Along with trade exhibitors, Sheep Connect will include a one-day conference on the Monday and a ram sale on the Tuesday. WHEN: August 2-3, 2021 MORE INFO: www.hamiltonshowgrounds.com.au Mallee Machinery Field Days – Speed Mallee Machinery Field Days brings together more than 8,500 visitors, and 350 exhibitors, with an estimated $100 million worth of equipment and machinery on site.…

Sales of agricultural tractors continued their strong run in May, with an 18 per cent rise on the same month last year. The last 12 months have now seen in excess of 15,700 tractors sold in this country, which is 37 per cent ahead of the previous 12-month period. The strength of the market continues to surprise many as the challenges being experienced with supply combined with the continuation of the extraordinary demand would suggest that these numbers remain beyond expectations. Many in the industry see the upcoming June/July period as likely to see a testing time as the federal government’s Instant Asset Write-Off Scheme comes to an end, even though it is to be continued for a further two years in the form of the Temporary Full Expensing program.…

Be prepared for a revolution in automated machine picking. Remember Hal from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)? It was the artificial intelligence (AI) computer that went from being a supportive crew member to attempting to take over the space ship. That particular sci-fi movie is credited as marking the birth of the era of AI and with it the fear and wonder of the future potential of computers and robots to replace humans. Within a decade of its release, we were seeing robotics replacing workers in strike-ridden car factories across the western world. Quick to pile into the search for a nicer version of Hal was the Australian Merino industry, which was looking to swap shearers with robots, with the first developed by the University of Western Australia (UWA) in…

With a discharge height of 800mm (higher than many other models), the risk of hitting the top of feed troughs is minimised. Feed Mixers saw a spike in interest when fodder was in short supply in 2018-2019, as livestock growers, feedlots and dairies looked to supplement what feed was available. But, even though this year has been more fodder friendly, many are finding that feed mixers continue to be an essential part of their farming operations, producing more consistency from what is on offer, all year round. Abbey Machinery, imported into Australia by Farmgard, based in Truganina, Victoria, boasts a solid lineup. This includes two multi-spreaders, six side-delivery muck spreaders and 16 machines in its slurry tanker offering, rangin from a single axle 4,000-litre tanker to the largest 27,000-litre tri…

A new app being developed by the University of New England’s (UNE) Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre (AARSC) can forecast the avocado yield with up to 93 per cent accuracy. Research conducted in 2017 by UNE indicated avocado yield forecasting in a medium-sized orchard of 10,000 trees can be inaccurate by as much as 120 per cent. Instead, the CropCount app uses satellite imagery and targeted on-ground sampling to produce the accurate forecasts in a fraction of the time it would take growers to estimate yields using traditional methods. An algorithm within CropCount then identifies which trees should be counted to provide growers with the more accurate snapshot of health and yield across the orchard. Funded by Hort Innovation and co-developed by creative agency Circul8, the CropCount project is far…

Global manufacturer Yamaha has signed a deal with Sydney-based startup The Yield that aims to increase the use of robotics in agriculture. Under an 18-month research and development partnership with global premium wine company Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), the companies will use robots to find new ways to improve autonomous crop spraying and improve yield prediction in wine grapes. The companies will conduct their research on vineyards in Australia and the United States owned by TWE, which is responsible for wine brands such as Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Lindemans. During the 18-month R&D project, The Yield and Yamaha will negotiate commercial arrangements to bring a joint solution for intensive irrigated crops to international markets in early 2023. Yamaha has already been working on robotics technology through the creation of unmanned…

The compact size of the M5-1 Series brings with it a lot of versatility and functionality. Over the years, the Plummers have invested in five models of Kubota, so clearly there’s something about the brand that’s proving its worth to the Waikato-based business on New Zealand’s North Island. In fact, Dayne Plummer and his son, Richmond, have a long-term relationship with Kubota tractors, dating back some 25 years to when they first purchased an orchard tractor for what was then a kiwifruit farm. With a change of focus to dairy farming and their BioStart business (specialising in biological farming solutions), the addition of a 103 horsepower (77kW) M5-111 is certainly not the largest tractor in the yard, but it does, however, lend itself to a wide variety of jobs. Since…

Quad bike manufacturer Kymco has updated its range – adding a new midsize model and putting a host of new features on its existing flagship model. Kymco’s MXU 700i LE EPS is the model that has been updated, while the MXU 550i EPS is the newest addition to the range. Importantly, both machines will meet the stage one requirements of Australia’s new safety standards, which come into effect later this year. Both quad bikes are single-cylinder and liquid-cooled. The new 550 has a 25kW (34 horsepower), 501cc engine and 39Nm of torque and will sit between the 700 and MXU 400 in Kymco’s range. The 550 also offers continuously variable automatic transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, on-demand 2WD and 4WD, linked hydraulic disc brakes, front protector bar, under seat storage and…

The Swadro TC 1370 rake covers more ground per hour than Krone’s Swadro1400Plus model and there is also an additional tine on the rear rotors, a higher centre frame and both larger transport and rotor wheels. This 13.7m four-rotor system has been described as a “productive workhorse” by Krone Australia’s assistant product manager Nathan Thomas, who also says “uncompromised stability and convenience” were the company’s goals when designing the rake. “A key feature of the Swadro TC 1370 is a new hydro-pneumatic flotation suspension system, which allows users to adjust the rotor weight from the tractor cabin instead of using springs on the machine,” he says. “This results in better and lighter ground contouring and less stress on the machine. “Another key feature is the new integral vibration dampers with…

New Holland has added two new models to its Boomer range in Europe, saying they bring more power and efficiency to the lineup. The new Class 3 models are the 47 horsepower (35kW) Boomer 45 and the 57hp (43kW) Boomer 55, which offer power segments close to the 60hp (45kW) range to further increase the lineup’s versatility. New Holland spokesperson Edoardo Ronco says the new models can perform more demanding operations such as moving, transport and light tillage with ease. “The Boomer range … offers customers an extensive choice of models covering a wide variety of applications that require supreme versatility and manoeuvrability in a small tractor,” says Ronco. All models in the Boomer tractor range are compliant with EU Stage V emission guidelines, with Ronco adding that the engine…

The pace of Australian grain exports has been faster than expected. Australian farmers are poised to break the national farmgate record in 2020–21, with figures indicating the agricultural sector will yield $66.3 billion of produce over the coming year. The new estimates, detailed in the June 2021 Agriculture Commodities Report released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), reflect a growth of $400 million since the last report was released in March, with the overall farmgate value representing an eight per cent increase on the drought-affected 2019–20 financial year. ABARES has also lifted the anticipated income from agricultural exports by $400 million, from March, due to high livestock prices and faster than expected grain exports following the bumper winter harvest. That said, export earnings are…

In its Q2 Beef Quarterly report, rural bank Rabobank says the current global beef climate is ‘very tight’, with both strong demand and lower herd numbers contributing to growing beef prices. The higher demand has been felt Down Under, where successive years of drought and a large liquidation of the livestock population resulted in Australia’s smallest beef cattle herd in three decades. Intense buying competition by producers was also noted as a factor in the rising price of Australian cattle, with producers looking to restock properties and generate value out of the increased pasture production. The disruption meant the Australian price of young cattle jumped nearly 30 per cent in February 2020 and has since, risen another 20 per cent to February 2021. Rabobank’s Angus Gidley-Baird, who co-authored the report,…

The Farmall M includes a redesigned cab, similar to the JX model but with a more ergonomic interior. After a COVID-19 induced hiatus, FarmFest roared back to life in early June, with sizeable crowds visiting the Toowoomba event to enjoy the latest and best the agricultural sector has to offer. Farms and Farm Machinery dropped by to check out the best new machinery – and a few old favourites. CASE IH FARMALL M Case IH debuted its new compact tractor – the Farmall M – which combines many of the features from the Farmall U, such as the transmission, brakes, hydraulics and electronic draft control, with the Farmall JX’s new front axle design and superior engine. The Farmall M is available in both 90 and 110 horsepower (67 and 75kW)…

There appears to be particular problems in markets for agricultural machinery. Australian consumers’ right to repair their own farm machinery, among other technologies, is under fire, according to a new report from the Australian government’s Productivity Commission (PC). A preliminary draft report released last month outlines the growing number of barriers facing consumers and their right to repair products and equipment. The commission also issued several draft recommendations, including calling on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to establish benchmarks for the durability of products, among other proposals and amendments to current legislation. It must be noted, the PC won’t formalise those recommendations until the submission of the final report to parliament in October 2021, following further consultations and public hearings. PC Commissioner Julie Abramson says farm equipment and…

All our lavender is picked by hand with a sickle. Floral and fragrant. Humbleand hardy. Purple and popular. The lavender plant may not immediately be front of mind when thinking about Australia’s agricultural industry, but its growing history in this country goes back more than a century and it could very well be about to boom. Last year, a partnership was signed between AgriFutures Australia and LaTrobe University for a research project into lavender growing and creating a detailed knowledge base of the ideal conditions and farming methods for every stage of the process. Funding for this was received through AgriFutures’ Emerging Industries Program, which identified lavender as a rural industry capable of reaching or exceeding $10 million in revenue by 2022. The Australian Lavender Growers Association (TALGA) is a…

Since it emerged in Australia three years ago, United Heavy Industries (UHI Machinery) has run on the belief that everyone should have access to the right machinery at the right price. With such a wide variety of small but mighty machinery, it’s no surprise that a lot of time and effort is put into ensuring the equipment is built tough. UHI Machinery offers durable machinery with robot-welded frames and top brand engines and accessories. The company focuses on small businesses, retirees on acreage, the hobbyist and those who struggle to find machinery fit for tight access jobs. The company says it keeps prices low by selling direct from the factory, while still offering a three-year parts warranty and aftersales service from dealerships in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. “The…

Machinery giant CNH Industrial has announced it plans to purchase Raven Industries, a United States-based precision agriculture company that has products available in Australia. The buyout, which has an enterprise value of US$2.1 billion (A$2.77 billion) at US$58 (A$76.64) per Raven share, is expected to be finalised late this year and will enhance CNH Industrial’s technological offerings. CNH Industrial chief executive officer Scott Wine says the purchase emphasises the company’s commitment to enhancing its precision agriculture portfolio. “Precision agriculture and autonomy are critical components of our strategy to help our agricultural customers reach the next level of productivity and to unlock the true potential of their operations,” he says. “Raven has been a pioneer in precision agriculture for decades, and their deep product experience, customer-driven software expertise and engineering acumen…

Yield and machine operating data collected by the Claas Telematics platform can now be transferred to Bayer’s Climate FieldView platform through a specially-developed application programming interface. The interface means farmers can now analyse and gain insights across both Class’ and Bayer’s platforms; helping them to make better decisions in the field. Claas Harvest Centre general manager – product, Tim Needham, says the data can be used to generate precise sowing or fertiliser prescriptions for the following season. “This technology allows farmers to actively manage their productivity, reduce risk and save time by gathering data and conducting analysis all in one place,” he says. “Site-specific fertiliser, crop protection and planting and sowing strategies depend upon access to accurate information about site-specific yield differences from the previous crop. “In addition to yield…

Headspace is good but an upright seat back and limited legroom for taller passengers would wear thin on longer journeys. With an Australian legacy that reaches back to 1985 and the D21, Nissan’s Navara deserves recognition for its part in building the popularity of utes to the unprecedented levels you’ll find today. Go even further back, though, and you follow a long bloodline of pickups all the way to the Datsun 2225 that had its genesis in 1947. Unlike some relative newcomers to the market, therefore, it’s fair to say Nissan has well and truly earnt its ranking among a growing range of compelling options. But there’s only so far history and heritage will carry a brand in this fearsomely competitive market and, in the eyes of pragmatic Australian buyers,…

A company best known for drones is taking its unmanned technology from the sky to the farm. XAG has created an unmanned ground vehicle, which is about to hit the Australian market and is being described as a “world first”. The R150 has multiple modes to suit farm jobs such as mowing, spreading, spraying, transport of materials and precision plant protection. XAG Australia sales manager Bryce Dimec said last month that the company had several R150 UGVs waiting in its warehouse and was only waiting on software before they could be released to the market. He also says there are a number of ways the R150 can be customised. “The R150 is a world first in terms of a ground-based unmanned spraying system, with the option of adding third-party attachments…

German manufacturer Krone has upgraded its Comprima CV150 XC baler wrapper, adding a Plus model with cosmetic changes, an ultrasound sensor and a reduced height. The Comprima, along with the company’s Fortima baler model, uses a slat elevator system and sits alongside the Krone’s VariPack belt baler, which was released last year. Krone assistant product manager Nathan Thomas says the Comprima CV 150 XC Plus would be ideal for contractors and medium to large dairy farms. “The new baler wrapper has been designed with strong components to successfully combat the most extreme farm conditions,” he says. “Design changes including new covers, light holders and minor colour changes give the machine a more modern look and run in line with our current range of Comprima balers. “The rear wrapper design has…

You’ve got the latest style engine, which gives you a constant torque. Two words keep coming up when discussing Deutz-Fahr’s new range of Warrior tractors – comfort and efficiency. Sporting black livery, rather than the traditional green the German manufacturer’s tractors are known for, the Warrior is a high-end tractor with features and upgrades befitting of the evolution. The Warrior is a six-cylinder tractor that the company says has been specifically designed to suit Australian farmers. Tractors in the Warrior range, which comprises seven models ranging from 171 to 336 horsepower (128 to 251kW), are fitted with Deutz engines and run on straight diesel without the need for AdBlue or a diesel particulate filter. “That’s a key selling point in the agricultural industry,” says product manager at Deutz-Fahr distributor PFG…

We see the premium for malt barley over feed barley increasing this season. Agribank Rabobank predicts Australian farmers will plant about two per cent more land in 2021–22 than was planted in the past financial year, putting the country on track for a second consecutive near-record winter crop planting. The prediction, released by Rabobank in its 2021–22 winter crop outlook, suggests a total of 22.93 million hectares of crop will be planted in the winter months. The two per cent increase on last year will bring the total area planted within one per cent of the national record for winter crops, set in 2016–17, while the 2021 figure still represents a figure eight per cent above the five-year average. Leading the way in the near-record winter crop this season is…

Beef tariffs will be eliminated after 10 years. Last month, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison struck an agreement in principle on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, after four rounds of negotiations stemming back to mid-2020. The agreement, in principle, means the terms of the FTA have been negotiated and agreed, although are yet to be made official. Still, the FTA with the UK – Australia’s largest trade agreement with any country outside of New Zealand – represents a significant point in time for our country’s agricultural sector. At the announcement of the FTA, UK prime minister Boris Johnson said the deal “will be good news for the agricultural sector on both sides”. Among the many intricacies of the FTA, the deal will improve the market access…

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) plans to refuse an application from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) for an emergency permit to poison grain with bromadiolone in a bid to curtail the mouse plague that is sweeping the state. The NSW government announced a program in May to fund the treatment of farmer-supplied grain with bromadiolone, with the plan for the poisoned grain to be used either in a trail or in bait stations surrounding a crop. But the program relied on the APVMA accepting NSW’s application to allow bromadiolone to be used as a broadacre mouse bait, as it is currently only registered for use indoors and around sheds. This is because bromadiolone builds up in the food chain, meaning that any…

We’ve been honoured to have you, our readers, along for the ride. Since its inaugural issue in November 1988, Farms & Farm Machinery has been dedicated to providing its readers with up-to-date information that lived up to its name. It was the fourth title to emerge from the Trader Group, based in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood, and created about 10 years after the debut of its first title, boating classifieds magazine Trade-A-Boat. That title was followed by Deals on Wheels – which was then a trucks and earthmoving title – and Unique Cars, with the company hoping that the new magazine would achieve similar success to its previous titles. The second edition of Farms & Farm Machinery, still in the Are Media archives, is a 90-page newsprint title that allows an…

Penditwist dribble bars significantly reduce nitrogen losses. With more than 50 years of experience, Belgianag equipment manufacturer Joskin is one of Europe’s leading producers of trailers and spreaders. Since it was founded in 1968, Joskin has grown significantly, expanding its factory operations into Poland and France, and selling into more than 60 countries. Colac Agricultural Company began importing Joskin in 2017, creating a great partnership to bring the market-leading equipment to Australia. From the simplest model to the most technologically advanced one available, Joskin prides itself on being able to create the perfect slurry tanker for each one of its customers. In 10 slurry tank models there are 1,200 options available, allowing Joskin to manufacture your solution. They range in size from 2,500 to 32,000 litres. But the pride of…

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has partnered with the Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre to develop the Global Digital Farm, which will be built at CSU’s 1,900-hectare AgriPark at its Wagga Wagga campus. The high-tech collaboration will be Australia’s first fully automated commercial farm, which the parties hope will develop new sustainability and carbon models to bring new improvements to farming practices. The parties will spend the next three years developing data and telecommunications infrastructure, and other digital technologies, at the AgriPark site, which currently comprises wheat, barley and canola crops as well as a vineyard, cattle and sheep. Food Agility chief scientist Niall Blair says the new facility will provide insights into a range of contemporary technologies beneficial for farming. “This ambitious and unique project will arm Australia’s primary industries…

Agco International will work with Bosch, BASF Digital Farming and Raven Industries under a new proof of concept (PoC) collaboration agreement, with the aim of evaluating new spray technologies. The PoC will focus on real-time sending technology, helping users find ways to cut their herbicide usage while making crop protection products more effective. By detecting weeds in growing crops or fallow ground in real-time and, at any time of day, the technology will produce a precise herbicide placement, targeted specifically at the individual plant. Targeted spraying technology has proven to be not only an environmentally friendly concept, but also profitable for farmers, who, by only spraying herbicide where needed, will require less overall volume of the product, which in turn reduces their input costs, labour and time. The collaboration will…

It drives and operates like no other 6M. When John Deere revamped its popular 6M tractor range in 2019 by adding a short wheelbase model with a sleek-looking sloped bonnet, tractor aficionados around the world stopped and took notice. When John Deere then announced that it was also selling them with its famous AutoPowr infinitely variable transmission (IVT), interest peaked even higher… and for good reason. We recently tested the John Deere 6120M with IVT and, while we’ve come away impressed, we also have the question – was it all just a fantastic John Deere marketing ploy? SHORT BUT SHARP Like many, it was at Agritechnica 2019 where we first glimpsed the latest John Deere 6M family of tractors in the flesh. The short wheelbased 6120M definitely stood out the…