Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 418 i Farms and Farm Machinery

Fendt’s 728 Vario has been named Tractor of the Year 2023 at the EIMA agricultural exhibition in Italy. It was the seventh such win for the German manufacturer since the award’s inception in 1998, which is voted on by a selected agricultural journalists from 25 different European countries. Fendt chairman Christoph Gröblinghof says the award is recognition for the effort put in to developing the top-line tractor model. “Models in the Fendt 700 Vario series are our best-selling tractors and are used by farmers all over the world,” he says. “For our Fendt engineers, it was therefore a challenge to make something good even better. “Factors such as low fuel consumption combined with high performance of up to 300hp, soil conservation and maximum flexibility for different applications are very important…

Deere has introduced a new line of tractors to the Australian market, specifically designed for orchard and vineyard growers. The 5ML series has been designed to facilitate the specific needs of growers, particularly when working in tight spaces. One standout feature is the narrow working width, which thanks to two front-axle configurations can be reduced to 61 inches (155cm) on the 5ML Narrow and 71 inches (180cm) on the standard 5ML. Despite being smaller than many Deere tractors are renowned for, this has not come at the expense of power. Three models will be available in the 5ML range – a 105, 120 and 130 – with each correlating to the maximum engine horsepower. “We are extremely excited to bring the 5ML to Australia to respond directly to the needs…

Amazone’s new Precea 6000-2AFCC six-metre mounted precision air seeder incorporates a cultivator and front-mounted hopper that Claas Harvest Centre product manager for Amazone Steve Gorman says will combine several work steps into a single pass. “The KG 6002-2 Super rotary cultivator creates an optimal seedbed, which is the basis for consistent plant emergence and crop establishment,” he says. “The addition of the front-mounted 1600 or 2200 litre FTender hopper further extends its capacity of this combination.” Gorman says the eight-row Precea will provide an economically attractive option for producers and contractors alike, being able to both cultivate and seed at a speed of 12km/h. The unit placed seeds accurately using an over-pressure singling system, using overpressure from a blower fan to press seeds from the hopper into holes in the…

The name Valton Feeding Solutions may be fairly straight-forward, but it is only when delving into the company’s product range that the extent of the ‘feeding solutions’ offered becomes apparent. Customers will have the chance to pick up a bargain on new and used items from the Victorian-based importer and distributor’s range during a one-day sale on Monday December 12. No matter what the requirements are, Valton has a feeding solution to suit all farmers. Mighty Giant Offering a rugged design, consistent output and considerable efficiency increases, the Mighty Giant hay grinder is one of the newest products in Valton’s offering. It became available after Valton linked up with American distributor Post Equipment Company, becoming Post’s Australian importer and distributor. Among the popular uses for the Mighty Giant in Australia…

Thousands came through the Primex 2022 gates over its three days despite the event having been moved from its traditional timeslot. Normally held in May, organisers postponed the event in Casino due to floods and adverse weather in northern New South Wales earlier this year. More than 10,000 people attended Primex’s final day on Saturday November 12, with a further 7,000 visitors on Thursday for the event’s opening. More than 370 exhibitors and 1,000 suppliers showcased their wares during Primex and organisers estimated around $100 million worth of equipment was on display. Primex Field Days director Bruce Wright says customer interest was strong during the event, while organisers also wanted to highlight the range of opportunities available across the agricultural sector. “Overall enquiries have been strong for this time of…

Many of our small country supermarkets are struggling as dwindling populations, labour shortages, rising operational costs and the rise of online shopping plagues their viability. Unfortunately, even with all these pressures, the early 2020s will be seen as the glory days compared with what’s coming. The move to close down access to cheap, reliable, base load power will, just as night follows day, lead to a rapid raise in power prices which could be the death knell of small supermarkets. Claims by politicians that all can be fixed on the energy front with more renewables does not pass the front bar test. Albanese’s claim at the last election that by 2025 power prices will fall for the average consumer lasted about as long as it took for him to drive…

A visit to your equipment dealer is normally based around either an existing piece of farm machinery or the purchase of a new one. It could, though, also provide an opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done. Case IH dealer Intersales sells a range of toys bearing the manufacturer’s famous red livery, with everything from scale models to battery-powered ride-on tractors. The range encompasses both the latest models and nostalgia-evoking classics across machinery segments such as tractors, harvesters, balers, loaders and sprayers. Intersales CEO Amanda Blachut says a Christmas gift from the Case IH toys range is one which often has plenty of meaning behind it for both purchaser and recipient. “They tend to be an emotional gift,” she says. “Adults love a collectable mini version of a tractor they…

Three consecutive years of La Niña weather conditions have taken their toll on Australia’s potential cherry harvest, according to a new Rabobank report. In a report entitled ‘Southern Hemisphere Cherries, Growing Exports and Challenges’, Rabobank says Australia’s sweet cherry sector has been in a growth phase for the past four years, with more than 450,000 additional cherry trees reaching bearing age since 2018. But the poor weather was affecting both fruit production and export volumes, report co-author and RaboResearch associate analyst Pia Piggott says. Industry estimates highlighted in the report put Australia’s total cherry production for 2021/22 down 15 per cent on the previous year, at 17,000 tonnes. Total Australian cherry volumes to export markets – which require the highest-quality premium fruit – also decreased 20 per cent on the…

Robot plasma With pre-orders for a December shipment to Hare & Forbes now open, the light and compact ArcDroid CNC Portable Plasma Robot will appeal to anyone who needs to cut custom shapes and plates. More at TradePlantEquipment.com.au 17,710+ items for sale in print & online…

The modern camera systems on the Steketee hoeing machines are designed to help control weeds precisely and efficiently, and now a series of new functions is being introduced to take this to the next level. Lemken has announced the launch of the Combi Cam and Auto Switch Cam functions in new models of its Steketee hoeing machines and available via a software update to existing models. The functions are designed to improve control and thus row detection in machines guided by a second camera. The new Combi Cam Mode, which is automatically activated at the factory, generates a superimposed image from both cameras – giving the unit twice as much visual information. This ensures even more precise row detection and offers great advantages, especially in heterogeneous, patchy crops, and means…

The nation’s largest Case IH dealer has expanded further, acquiring another branch in the northern Victorian town of Echuca. O’Connors now has 16 dealerships across Australia and New Zealand following the acquisition of Echuca CIH. The move follows its other recent Victorian acquisitions – of Sunrise Ag dealerships in Swan Hill and Ouyen, plus the Case IH broadacre component of Sunrise Ag Mildura. Case IH general manager for Australia and New Zealand Pete McCann says the announcement further bolsters the relationship between the manufacturer and O’Connors. “Echuca CIH has been a family-owned business serving the area for more than 30 years and I congratulate the Stephenson family – Jan, Murray and Darren – on such a successful operation over such a long period of time,” he says. “O’Connors, also a…

With the amount of rainfall experienced across the nation in recent months, but especially on the Eastern Seaboard, farmers could be forgiven putting quality irrigation at the bottom of their priority list. But with warmer weather now taking its grip across the country, Agriflo Rural Queensland manager Andrew Joyce says futureproofing irrigation systems now is vital, ahead of the variable weather conditions to come. “We know that the need for quality hard hose irrigation systems is an absolute necessity for primary producers who think strategically – over 30 years of our own experience on the land has taught us that,” he says. For Matt Parker, a ginger and lucerne grower based in Amamoor, south of Gympie, recent flooding created the perfect opportunity for a reassessment of his needs. Much of…

The 79th edition of agricultural trade fair SIMA was held in Paris earlier this month, with representatives from over 1,000 companies and 100 countries in attendance. Aside from the expo itself, SIMA organisers also awarded prizes for the most innovative solutions displayed in five categories, with another two special awards made for animal welfare and health and safety. The categories were: Soil and crops; From harvest to storage, Robotics and onboard electronics; Live-stock, renewable energy, biomass and biomaterials; Services and software. The Gold category winners were: Soil & Crops French company Monosem won in the Soil and Crops category for its ValoTerra Ultimate sowing unit, which features what it says are the largest double disc openers on the market (450 mm diameter). The operational speed of the chute version of…

Rising input prices are causing headaches for farmers, eating into returns and forcing a rethink in methods. One such method involves a return to traditional tillage and using a disc cultivator, rather than just chemical, to eliminate weeds. Western Australia-based Powerace is the importer and distributor of Bednar products, which boasts the Terraland TO 6000 chisel plough and Swifterdisc XE 12400 cultivator among its offerings. Powerace’s Grant Borgward says with the cost of urea having more than doubled during the past year, and glyphosate also becoming increasingly expensive, there is a need to think differently. “Glyphosate is cost prohibitive to use, and an alternative to glyphosate is using steel or discs to kill your weeds,” he says. “The biggest reason farmers want our machines is to kill summer weeds without…

It builds products for some of the world’s leading irrigation brands, and the team at Pivot Irrigation Australia (PIA) is planning on taking its knowhow direct to customers. Company founder Richard Pocock says the company is now looking to a direct-to-consumer irrigation initiative that will reduce the company’s reliance on wholesalers, distributors and retailers. “For years, suppliers have depended on the middle-man to distribute goods and get merchandise in front of customers,” he says. “But today, a shift in consumer behaviour and the adoption of new technology is transforming the traditional supply chain.” Driven by the rise in interest in e-commerce and increasing consumer demand for direct factory-to-farm delivery of pivots and parts – as well as the rise of low-priced imports – Richard Pocock says manufacturers and suppliers are…

Food prices rose nine per cent in the September quarter, putting pressure on Australian households and creating weaker consumer demand, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data was revealed in the September quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the biggest contributors to the rise being fruit and vegetables (up 16.2 per cent) and meals out and takeaway (up 6.1 per cent). The September 2022 CPI showed food prices had increased by 3.2 per cent on the previous quarter. Headline overall inflation rose 7.3 per cent annually and 1.8 per cent on the previous quarter. Rabobank senior food retail analyst Michael Harvey says the rise is the largest seen since 2006, when Cyclone Larry devastated Australia’s banana crop, causing a huge spike in prices. Harvey says…

University of Queensland and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are collaborating on a multi-million dollar research project, which is partly-funded by Meat and Livestock Australia. The aim is to develop biopolymer devices which can be inserted into the stomach of cattle to deliver a continuous, low dose of gas-reducing bioactive. The biopolymer holding the bioactive is used to make a rumen insert, researchers say. The insert, which is a cylinder-shaped object the length of a human hand, is swallowed by cattle and sits in their stomachs where it is degraded over time by bacteria and leaves no residue. Research lead Mary Fletcher says a solution which does not cause major inconvenience for farmers has been a major consideration. “We want the technology to fit in with the normal management strategies…

Most Australian agriculture companies recorded increased revenue during the year but were also holding on to inventory longer than any other sector, a report has found. Restructuring and advisory firm McGrathNicol released its annual Working Capital Report, which surveyed 139 ASX-listed companies across seven sectors including agriculture. It found the agriculture sector had the highest Days Working Capital, which measures how long it takes for working capital to be converted to sales revenue, and Days Inventory Outstanding, which measures how long businesses hold on to their inventory, and both metrics increased during 2022. The report cites several industry-wide challenges as reasons for these metrics, while expecting some of these to ease in 2023. “The higher inventory load carried by our sampled companies reflected the record seasonal production in 2022 and…

Hare & Forbes is currently accepting pre-orders for a December shipment of the ArcDroid CNC portable plasma robot, after products from the first sold out earlier this year. The company says the ArcDroid will appeal to anyone who needs to cut custom shapes and plates – ideal for onsite structural work, agricultural repairs and automotive restoration workshops. “Even small fabricators with limited workshop space or home hobby workshops will benefit from this compact and versatile portable plasma robot,” Hare & Forbes says. Weighing just 16 kilograms and having a convenient cut envelope of 660mm x 380mm, the ArcDroid operates from a 10-amp 240v supply and is easy to transport and store. It features a glove-friendly intuitive touchscreen interface and comes standard with quick change holders that allow changing from trace…

The robust human-machine interfaces (HMIs) from ifm are programmable graphic displays for controlling, operating and parameter-setting on mobile machines and installations. In an agricultural setting, they make operation of machinery such as tractors or sprayers easy. All devices have a comprehensive range of interfaces and can be used in conjunction with a mobile controller or a stand-alone solution. Data and device functions in the HMIs are safely transferred via CAN Ethernet and USB interfaces. Thanks to the high protection rating of the housing, the modules are suited for outside panel and surface mounting as well as for cabin installation in construction machines, agriculture machinery and municipal vehicles. The HMIs can withstand strong impacts and permanent vibrations as well as extreme ambient temperatures. Other ifm products which suit the agricultural sector…

Sprayer manufacturer Croplands continues to grow, having announced the acquisition of Sonic Boomsprays. Celebrating its 50th year of operation, Croplands took over the Western Australian manufacturer in November, saying the move will strengthen its national footprint. Earlier this year, Croplands also announced a 40 per cent increase to the size of its Adelaide manufacturing base. Sonic is based in the wheatbelt town of Narembeen, about 300km east of Perth, and manufactures sprayers fitted with cable-suspended hydraulic booms. The two companies have formed a relationship over the past four years, collaborating on the development and commercialisation of Croplands’ Weed-It Sonic sprayer range. Croplands general manager Sean Mulvaney says Sonic is an ideal investment to help with the manufacturer’s ongoing growth. “We see Sonic as a perfect fit for Croplands as the…

Trimble will develop a new range of satellite-based steering systems for tractors, combine harvesters and forage harvesters developed by Claas, set to be available on all 2023 delivery machines. The system uses the new Cemis 1200 terminal, a 12-inch, high-definition multi-touch display, which uses Trimble’s embedded modular software architecture for positioning, steering and ISOBUS connectivity to implements in the field. This connects with the new generation of Class’s GPS Pilot automated steering systems and SAT 900 GNSS receiver, found in its Axion and Arion tractors, Lexion combine harvesters and Jaguar forage harvesters. Trimble says this provides sub-meter repeatable accuracy ideal for tillage, broadacre seeding, spraying and harvest operations. Claas equipment is imported into Australia through Claas Harvest Centres, and the group’s general manager – product, Tim Needham, says the partnership…

The ice of Antarctica is a long way from an Australian paddock, but three modified Case IH Steiger Quadtrac 500 tractors are just about ready to make the shift. After being built in the United States, the Steigers arrived at Melbourne’s port in September, before travelling across Bass Strait into Tasmania. From there, they were transported by road to Case IH dealer TTMI’s base near Launceston ahead of the last big step in the arduous journey. The tractors will travel by ship to Antarctica, where they will support the Australian Antarctic Division’s aviation operations at the Wilkins Blue Ice Runway and Casey Ski Landing Area. Plans for the tractors include runway maintenance, fuel and cargo transport from Casey to Wilkins, plus general sled towing and heavy vehicle recovery. Case IH…

October has seen another bumper month for tractor sales across the nation as farmers prepare for harvest. While many parts of the Eastern States have been severely impacted by unseasonal rains, demand for agricultural equipment remains strong. Sales in October were up 3.6 per cent on the same month last year, with sales now 2.1 per cent higher in the year to date. The near-term outlook for equipment sales remains difficult to predict – shipping is returning to normality but there will be challenges in production – particularly for European suppliers with energy and component supply a real concern. While this result was indeed a strong one, it contains what might be described as “winners and losers” which may be the first signs of a tapering in the market. The…

Eurobodella Agricultural Show – Moruya Held at the Moruya Showground in Moruya on the south coast of NSW, the Eurobodalla Agricultural Show will focus on local produce alongside animal shows, show jumping and a vintage and veteran vehicle show. When: January 21–22, 2023 More info: eurobodallashow.org.au Geelong Classic Truck & Machinery Show – Breakwater January plays host to one of the biggest and best displays of classic trucks, tractors, cars, machinery plus much more. As well as having a range of visiting clubs and displays, the event also showcases the Vintage Machinery Section’s own pavilion with more than 15 fully operational steam engines, 12 permanently installed oil engines, a 1,000-horsepower marine steam engine, a wool scouring machine and a large collection of steam models. When: January 14-15, 2023 More info:…

Not all farmers work in wide and obstacle-free environments, which is why Antonio Carraro has designed a tractor to suit tricky spaces. The TGF 8900 R - which the manufacturer’s Australian sales manager Marco Corra describes as “the most loved orchard spraying tractor” - stands just 1.74m from the ground. The tractor’s low height makes it ideal for manoeuvring through the kinds of obstacles which growers face, such as overhanging tree branches or crop netting. Despite its slim design, operators still have the comfort of a fully enclosed Protector 100 cabin, which the manufacturer describes as the lowest-sitting pressurised cabin on the market and which has a tapered profile to adapt to the gap between even the densest vegetation. Antonio Carraro has also not compromised on quality or power with…

How much has already been written about the Ford Ranger? The ubiquitous ute has been a best-seller since its America-by-way-of-Australia redesign in 2011 when the T6 platform became the underpinnings for a truck that has been around in one guise or another for 40 years. A brief overview of the Ranger’s market domination is quite possibly a redundant exercise since you’d have to have been living under the shearing shed for the past decade to not notice its impact on the light commercial ute scene. But still, dominant it is. And so it goes for the next-generation 2022 model. I’m lucky enough to be chucked the keys for evaluation drives of all manner of wheeled things, from entry-level hatchbacks to supercars. Driving the updated Ranger for a week as the…

The University of Melbourne is hosting a new research hub which aims to reduce farmers’ fertiliser use by increasing nitrogen efficiency. The Hub for Smart Fertilisers is a partnership between the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and Elders Rural Services Australia and will include representatives from agricultural businesses and development corporations such as the Federal government-funded Grains Research and Development Corporation. The $11 million hub will "apply plant and soil science, chemistry and chemical engineering to develop new biochemical inhibitors and ‘smart fertilisers’ to increase the efficiency of nitrogen use by up to 20 per cent". It aims to develop new knowledge about how plants take up nitrogen fertilisers, create smarter fertiliser products and analyse data to help farmers better manage their fertiliser use. Hub director…

Retrofitting diesel-powered agricultural equipment with to a hydrogen-diesel hybrid model could help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 85 per cent. This is thanks to a new system developed by University of New South Wales Engine Research Laboratory engineers and would mean existing engines can use 90 per cent hydrogen as fuel. “This new technology significantly reduces CO2 emissions from existing diesel engines,” project leader Shawn Kook from the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering says. “It could play a big part in making our carbon foot-print much smaller, especially in Australia with all our mining, agriculture and other heavy industries where diesel engines are widely used. “We have shown that we can take those existing diesel engines and convert them into cleaner engines that burn hydrogen fuel. “Being…

Based in Rylstone in central New South Wales, BlackLab Solar specialises in high-quality solar installation and maintenance. The company is run by owner and licenced electrician Paul Deegan, who also handles all the company’s installation, maintenance and ordering himself. After operating for a few years using an older diesel forklift bought from a neighbouring farmer, Deegan made the choice to upgrade and purchase a new machine. A former pilot, Deegan was using his hangar at Rylstone to store solar equipment following a period of heavy rain and needed a forklift that was ideal for indoor operation. After looking at a couple of options, he quickly settled on a Toyota 8FBE20 electric forklift, with the material quality of Toyota products a big reason for purchase. “This new one’s been an absolute…