Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 412 i Farms and Farm Machinery

New models of the TYM T265 tractor will come with an auto throttle control feature, allowing operators to control the rpm with pedals only. Inlon sales and marketing manager Gary Surman says the auto throttle control links the tractor pedals to the engine throttle – which he says means the operator can have one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the loader joystick. “Auto throttle means you can concentrate on the task at hand while the engine RPM is managed by pressing the [hydrostatic transmission] foot pedal,” he says. “This simplifies operation, helps increase productivity and reduces fuel consumption.” Surman adds that the tractor’s two separate hydraulic systems means there is plenty of oil flow for implements and attachments, putting less pressure on the vehicle by enabling…

South Australian John Deere dealer group Wickham Flower & Co has been sold to a Canadian distribution giant, with the deal set to conclude on June 30 this year. Based in Saskatchewan, Brandt Group also acquired fellow Canadian equipment supplier Cervus last year for roughly US$302 million (A$420.5 million) – Cervus owned many dealerships worldwide including seven dealerships in Victoria. Wickham Flower was founded by a man of the same name in 1931, created as a general agency for wool, grain, fertiliser, oil, insurance, land sales and farm machinery. Today the company has grown to 90+ trained staff and serves over 5,000 customers from its sites in Bordertown, Keith, Mt Gambier and Naracoorte. Aside from Deere, Wickham Flower sells and services JCB, Kuhn and other agricultural equipment, with Brandt saying…

Developed together with the University of Southern Queensland, the John Deere See & Spray Select system has been named among the top three innovations of 2022 at a major US awards showcase. Awarded by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in collaboration with the US Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the Davidson Prize is awarded to the top three of 50 agricultural innovations in the past year. John Deere’s See & Spray Select system, available on its 400 and 600 Series sprayers, was a winner. The vision-based precision spray technology detects and helps eradicate weeds in fallow ground, using integrated cameras to detect green plants that are then automatically sprayed. The technology was developed by USQ four years ago and was subsequently tested by Deere across farms in…

High quality and reliable equipment and a commitment to the long-term is what business manager Jason Hatton believes sets Sustainable Machinery apart. Based in Theresa Park on Sydney’s southwestern fringe, the company is the Australian importer of Dutch-made Vredo overseeders. While the Sustainable Machinery name has only existed since 2016, the locally-owned, independent company has more than half a century of history in Australia. “It started off in the sports turf industry and our original company was started in 1971, so we go back a long way,” Hatton says. “We’re two generations deep into the industry and, because of our depth in turf farming, we saw an opportunity to diversify further into agriculture. “As the business took off, we realised that there was quite a demand for quality machinery, which…

Sales of agricultural tractors were down in April by three per cent on the same month last year and are now 11 per cent behind for the 2022 year to date. This is still a strong level of sales for the industry, which continues to be severely hampered by supply issues. Exacerbating the challenges associated with getting machines, most members are now reporting solid price increases being passed on by their factories after a few years of largely absorbing these movements. Of note is the supply of steel with Ukraine – reportedly responsible for a large share of the world’s production – being severely impacted, leading to price increases across the board. Demand for agricultural machines is presently very strong worldwide and here in Australia. With the Temporary Full Expensing…

Kerfab’s evolution can be summed up in one simple sentence. “Year in, year out, we’ve been consistently building more and more bale forks just because we will acquire new customers, and they’re happy with them,” the manufacturer’s marketing coordinator Ryan Hoban says. Continual growth in a company’s core product is a clear measure of success, and that has been the case for the Australian-made attachments manufacturer. Further proof of Kerfab’s growth is shown by the building of a second factory right next to its existing one in the northern Victorian town of Kerang. The new factory is expected to open around July and will double Kerfab’s manufacturing capacity. It is a big investment in the future, but Hoban says it is necessary to continue the strength of its local manufacturing…

The story of Italian agricultural machinery manufacturer Valentini begins in the town of Camposampiero in the 1970s, when Antonio Valentini set out on his own after years of design and manufacturing work with leading agricultural machinery companies in the country’s north. With time, he developed a business where many of the leading European manufacturers of power-driven cultivation gear brought him hoes, harrows, mulchers and other equipment, which he joined into a folding frame configuration. Eventually these manufacturers began to make their own frames at a cheaper cost and Valentini began to manufacture his own hoes, harrows and mulchers, but unlike the others, he focused on building them with strength and reliability. While the search for quality is always tough, the biggest challenge Antonio faced in developing his business came with…

I’ve read a lot of post-election commentary over the last few weeks, most of it written by the usual suspects, many of whom think the Coalition lost because they weren’t on board with the community’s climate change views. According to the chattering elite, Australia has voted to embrace the ideals of the enlightened progressives and we are now all champing at the bit to do more to address climate change. Those with a preference for a soy latte have been busy reinforcing their views that the Coalition is out of step with the electorate and if they had just done more and signed up to even more ambitious emissions targets, then the teal seats would have remained blue seats. However, because they didn’t and because Barnaby and the Nationals are…

Eleven young fruit and vegetable growers have been recognised for their commitment to sustainability and the wider industry in a leading awards showcase. Co-hosted by leading vegetable and potato growers’ association AusVeg and International Fresh Produce Association Australia – New Zealand (IFPA), the Hort Connections event is the premiere event for the Australian horticulture industry. A total of 11 growers, spread across five states, were named as finalists for the 2022 Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year, with South Australian Damien Manno named as the overall winner during a gala dinner in Brisbane. The remaining finalists were • Sam Boyce, MJ Hall & Sons, Tatura, Victoria• Ruby Daly, Daly Farms and Hellfire Bluff Distillery, Marion Bay, Tasmania• Craig Dingle, Kalfresh, Kalbar, Queensland• Ryan Marr, Marrbiz Pty Ltd, Trentham Cliffs,…

Rabobank says in its 2022/23 Winter Crop Outlook that this year’s total planted crop area is forecast to reach a record 23.83 million hectares. This would be nearly one per cent up on last year’s record planting and 11 per cent above the five-year average. It includes a 1.4 per cent lift in wheat and a record canola planting, up 20.9 per cent on last year, albeit at the expense of barley, oats and pulses. This forecast boost in Australian production comes at a time of poor production and export constraints for many countries around the world, prompting the United Nations to warn that the world is on the brink of a food crisis. Locally, the bank says, “hopes are on” another large winter crop to allow Australian farmers to…

Changes made to Case IH’s Maxxum and Puma tractor ranges put operator comfort front and centre The new Puma SWB models (150hp [112kW] to 180hp [134kW]) now feature CVT transmission options to complement the existing Powershift offering. Upgrades to the 2022 Maxxum and Puma SWB tractors include: a low-mounted front screen wiper with an increased sweep area for better visibility; new high-performance LED safety lighting features; an improved entrance area with aluminium steps; and an integrated cool box. Case IH Australia and New Zealand product manager for mid horsepower and compact tractors Seamus McCarthy says the upgrades help enhance the versatility of what are already its most versatile tractors. “Obviously when the operator is more comfortable in the cab, this can only help to reduce fatigue and increase productivity in…

Two grease guns just launched by Silvan Selecta are ideally suited for servicing agricultural, construction and automotive machinery. Silvan Selecta’s new grease gun with its pistol grip has been designed to prevent fingers from pinching and is suited to servicing a wide range of machinery that requires regular greasing. With its flexible delivery tube it is ideal for use in confined spaces where access to the grease nipple is restricted,. A 1.2mm-thick robust barrel suits 450g grease cartridges. The grease gun also features a 300mm high pressure extension tube and four jaw coupler with ball check. Other stand-outs include a facility to bulk load, a heavy duty follower spring, CNC machined grease gun head and rolled threads for fast reloading. Its maximum pressure rating is 5,000psi. Silvan Selecta’s second product…

Kenway & Clark and St George Machinery Centre (SGMC) have claimed the top honours in Case IH’s 2021 dealer of the year awards – the first time both groups have taken out these awards. With six branches in north west New South Wales and Queensland, Kenway & Clark was named Case IH Dealer of the Year (three branches or more), and dealer of the year for service. Kenway & Clark dealer principal Peter Burey says the dealership was surprised and delighted with the wins. “It’s something we’re very proud of, and is certainly a great reward for the hard work of our team, particularly in the last 18 months when there’s been some big changes in the business,” he says. “It is a team achievement and we want to make…

CNH Industrial has acquired US-based aluminium spray boom manufacturer Specialty Enterprises, with plans to roll its technology out across its product range. Specialty is the largest manufacturer of aluminium spray booms for agricultural applications in North America and has been supplying to Case IH since 2020. Case IH says Specialty is known for its advanced engineering and high-quality workmanship as a welding operation. The company’s sprayer boom design incorporates multiple patents to virtually eliminate the fatigue cracking associated with other aluminium boom designs. As aluminium spray booms are up to 50 per cent lighter than their steel counterparts, they result in less field compaction, less rutting and better weight distribution. Case IH says taking direct ownership of the production facilities is the latest step in the roadmap for its sprayer…

Norco Primex Field Days has announced revised dates of November 10–12 for this year’s edition of the agricultural expo. Originally scheduled for May 19–21, organisers decided in early May to postpone the event due to floods and ongoing adverse weather conditions affecting Casino and surrounding parts of New South Wales. Event director Bruce Wright says the new dates were selected after extensive consultation across a range of exhibitor and stakeholder sectors, while also taking other field days and event calendars into consideration. “We have taken the time to seek advice about suitable dates with a broad section of our stake-holders, and also sought feedback to maximise the opportunities and benefits the event and its exhibitors can provide,” he says. “We also hope to minimise any impacts to other functions and…

Machinery importer United Heavy Industries is expanding its product range, with the first tractors it has ever offered about to arrive in Australia. The move marks a significant step in UHI’s expansion, having grown to cover all mainland states just four years after first establishing an Australian presence. UHI’s core business has been in affordable earthmoving equipment, with machines such as wheel loaders and mini excavators being the most popular among its farming client base. The company’s business development manager James Wang says the first tractors are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, having been introduced following feedback from customers who have bought other machines from UHI. “Since we have been selling more wheel loaders to farmers, customers are asking whether we could get tractors,” he says. “Tractors will…

Colac Ag’s range of imported hay and silage machinery has continued to expand, and this season’s additions further enhance the offering available. The company’s philosophy is to align itself with specialist European manufacturers and import the products that best suit Australian conditions. Elho Elho has long been known in Australia for its bale wrappers, and new to Colac Ag’s range is the Sideliner 1790PRO wrapper. This machine is the largest model in Elho’s range of wrappers and is built in Finland. Heavy duty in every way, Colac Ag tested some under Australian conditions during the 2021 season and they passed the test. This machine can easily wrap bales up to 1.8m in diameter and weighing up to 1,600kg. It has dual arms with pre-stretchers for the plastic film. Also in…

The Schäffer 6680T telescopic loader has rapidly become a key part of the Laurent Contractors team, based in Matamata, Waikato on New Zealand’s North Island. Based in Germany, Schäffer has been in business for more than 60 years and produces compact wheel loaders. Here, we see first-hand how well those many years of knowledge, experience and engineering come together. Quality Some might say a job-specific machine like a wheel loader is hard to justify as they can be limited to certain jobs. The part that often gets looked past, though, is how much better they do a job than alternate machines and inevitably they end up being a machine an operator just cannot do without. Some of the best machines in the agricultural market come from Germany, and the Schäffer…

TMHA showcased its automated Toyota RAE160 automatic guided vehicle (AGV) reach forklift at the 2022 Auspack Packaging & Processing Machinery expo held in Melbourne in May. The autonomous 1.6-tonne capacity AGV reach forklift, featuring a 10-metre mast, was on display and in action at TMHA’s stand, receiving a large amount of attendee interest. The Toyota RAE160 reach forklift (also available in 2- and 2.5-tonne capacity models) was constantly moving pallets from floor position into a rack and then back again. The forklift integrates with warehouse management systems to operate according to a customer’s unique requirements. It uses a laser-based navigation system and complex range of sensors to safely and accurately handle materials, automatically. The Toyota RAE range of autonomous material handling equipment is designed and manufactured by Toyota Material Handling…

Trialled globally, a combination of modifications to the engine, its front end loader capacity and its more solid materials, make this model unique for the Australian customer. New Holland’s product segment manager for lifestyle and small farms Mark Crakanthorp says the TT3.50 has filled a gap in the Australian utility market and gives the customer the most metal for their money. “The TT3.50 picks up where our previous Workmaster left off as the no-nonsense option for the compact utility buyer,” he says. “Powered by the familiar three-cylinder 2.9L S8000 engine, this tractor does not compromise on grunt with 49.5hp [37kW] and a torque curve designed to match – all on a 62-litre fuel tank.” Aligned with the profile of this unique segment, the choice of the S8000 engine means there…

Now available for order, John Deere’s new line-up of P600 precision air-hoe drills are lighter and wider than their predecessors. Ranging from 12.2–27.4 metres in working widths, the range includes the P640, P650, P660, P670, P680, and P690 models – with the last two digits of each number being the tool width of the unit in feet. Each unit has 25.4–30.5cm spacing and new dual knife openers to consistently place fertiliser 3.8cm horizontally and 1.9cm vertically away from the seed for even emergence and equal access to nutrients. The new models are up to 15.5 per cent wider and weigh up to 24 per cent less than the P500 range, helping to decrease compaction, labour time and fuel consumption. The seeders come equipped with Deere’s JDLink connection to its John…

A new ‘gold standard’ data sharing platform is about to be piloted in Western Australia, enabling producers to transfer information through secure channels. Extrata was developed by Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in response to producers’ concerns about the security of storing and sharing sensitive commercial and research data. The department is seeking interested early adopters to participate in a pilot of Extrata in coming months to help refine the product and its useability. Farmers increasingly rely on digital data collected from weather stations, soil moisture probes, harvesters, drones, sensors and other automated systems to make informed on-farm management decisions to improve productivity and profitability. This information is typically stored on individual cloud-based systems, which can be shared with data service providers to analyse and…

Every business relies on having the right equipment at the right time to operate effectively. In agricultural businesses, the right equipment is often expensive and long-term in nature. Financing the purchase of such assets can also be complicated. NAB Equipment Finance Specialist Charlie Coote says agribusinesses today face two major challenges in financing equipment purchases: the rising cost of new technology; and supply constraints, which mean equipment must be ordered much further in advance. “Our clients need to be more prepared and strategic with planning for major capital purchases,” Charlie says. Experience in the field The need for forward planning is something BMC Partnership’s Ross Munro knows well. BMC Partnership is a large contract cotton stripping, picking, manufacturing and transportation business based in Moree in northern NSW. Ross heads the…

Alice Springs Show – Alice Springs Started in 1960, the Alice Springs Show aims to promote, encourage and advocate for the development of agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, viticultural, commercial, industrial, cultural, handicraft, artistic and tourism pursuits in Central Australia. When: July 1–2, 2022 More info: www.alice-springs.com.au Mudgee Small Farm Field Days – Mudgee The Mudgee Small Farm Field Days has been running for over 40 years and attracts approximately 20,000 people per year. With the mission to inform, educate and connect rural people with information and solution providers there are free demonstrations and talks along with commercial stalls, live music and activities to suit the whole family. When: July 8–9, 2022 More info: https://mudgeefielddays.com.au Katherine Show And Rodeo – Katherine The biggest community event in the region, the Katherine Show is…

With a team of specialist engineers, draughtsmen and fabricators, plus new transport solutions, Dixie Holdings can help farmers get more out of their equipment than they thought possible. One example of this was in April, Dixie delivered a customised Cat D8T dozer to a cattle station at Goondiwindi, near the Queensland-New South Wales border. “It was fitted up with basically one of everything that we supply,” Dixie Holdings manager Tom McDonald says. “It was a brand-new machine as well and it was one of the next generation D8Ts they just introduced.” In most cases, customers will source their dozer – or other desired machine – directly from Dixie Holdings, however in this instance the D8T was bought brand-new from the OEM dealership before being picked up by Dixie and taken…

A new product that allows ISOBUS-compatible tractors and implements to connect more easily will be tested on Australian farms in coming months. The Agri-Mate, created by ifm efector, acts as a gateway between tractors and implements and allows them to be linked regardless of brand, saving development costs and time for manufacturers. Feedback gained during the Australian testing phase will help to influence future updates, with plans already in place to add section control to the Agri-Mate. Ifm product sales manager for mobile control systems Adi Kunder says some units have already been sold to customers since being introduced to Australia earlier this year. “The next phase would be to do more field tests to nut out any other issues, get feedback from operators and farmers for our OEM [original…

Some of Australia’s largest chicken meat processors have agreed to change terms in their supplier contracts following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC’s Perishable Agriculture Goods Inquiry was carried out in 2020 – focusing on potentially unfair terms in supplier contracts. Generally in the chicken meat industry, meat processors provide chicks, feed and medications to the grower and retains ownership of the birds at all times. A contract between the processor and the grower specifies the methods the grower must use to care for the birds – and can impose some requirements on the land, sheds, water and utilities used. According to ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh, the ACCC investigation identified a number of potentially unfair contract terms, including terms that allowed processors to…

Seven women have been recognised for their contribution to Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities by being named national finalists of the 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. Women from all over Australia were encouraged to apply with a project, business or program having a positive impact on rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities. Each of the seven female leaders will receive a $15,000 Westpac grant to help boost, expand or elevate their work, with the National Winner awarded an additional $20,000 and national runner up an additional $15,000. AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey says he’s thrilled with the diverse and innovative projects that were submitted this year. “It’s an exciting year for the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, with our seven national finalists already making such a…