Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 419 i Farms and Farm Machinery

German manufacturer Claas has given its telehandlers a facelift aimed at increasing power and adding extra grunt. The 2023 line of Scorpion telehandlers, which are developed and manufactured alongside Liebherr, still features six models with a maximum reach of between 7 and 9m and lifting capacity of 3200kg to 6000kg. But new upgrades to the four smallest models – the 732, 736, 741 and 746 – mean an extra 6hp and 50Nm of torque has been gained. Scorpion operators will also benefit from a new high-flow air conditioning system, adjustable steering column, automatic indicator reset and steering mode switch. “In addition to the usual front, all-wheel and crab-steering modes, all models can be equipped with the new manual crab-steering mode that allows the front axle to be controlled,” Claas Harvest…

FAE’s DML/SSL mulcher for skid steers has undergone a makeover. The mulcher, which the Italian manufacturer says is already one of its most popular machines, has received several upgrades aimed at increasing efficiency and productivity. Firstly, the frame and push frame’s design has been redesigned to offer greater visibility in all working conditions. This will increase comfort and make it easier to monitor tasks with more precision, FAE says. The mulcher can now mount a rotor with either Mini C/3 teeth or Mini BL blades, both of which help get the most out of FAE’s Bite Limiter technology. Bite Limiter rotors come with special wear-resistant steel limiters that reduce the teeth’s reach, helping to lessen power and fuel demands, ensure a consistent working speed and minimise rotor stalling. FAE’s exclusive…

Brandt’s Australian presence is set to grow, with the company acquiring its 15th Australian branch - Westernport Tractors & Implements on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The Canadian-owned company has built up a portfolio of John Deere dealerships across Victoria and South Australia, having bought SA’s Wickham Flower earlier this year. Brandt Group also acquired fellow Canadian equipment supplier Cervus last year for roughly US$302 million, which included Cervus’ seven dealerships in Victoria. Westernport Tractors & Implements has operated for more than 30 years and is based in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula. “Just like Westernport, Brandt is a family owned and operated business where serving the customer is absolutely number one,” Brandt CEO Shaun Semple says. “The fit between our two organisations is a natural one and we look forward to…

Pottinger’s Amico F front hopper and Terria stubble cultivator can now be brought together, saving farmers’ time by loosening soils and placing fertilisers in the same pass. This means additional convenience and efficiency for farmers, while the Amico F hopper’s capacity options of 1,700L or 2,400L and 60:40 division enables a wide range of applications. Placed on either side of the tractor, Pottinger says there are several benefits to running both applications in one pass. An operator can make up for nutrient deficiencies in different soil layers by placing fertiliser directly into the soil, the manufacturer says, which also promotes targeted root growth and therefore plant growth and crop density. Different deposit depths for the fertiliser allow different levels of soil to be supplied as needed. The Terria can be…

Claas has announced improvements for its Jaguar 900/800 forage harvesters, including a newly developed GPS steering guidance and an automatic reel speed adjustment system for pick-up fronts. All 2023 delivery models will be available with the Cemis 1200 operating terminal, which incorporates the GPS Pilot and Cemos Auto Performance machine optimisation systems. Claas Harvest Centre product manager – Jaguar Luke Wheeler says the guidance and optimisation systems are activated via a simple, two-step process using the CMotion control lever. “After turning and entering the next track, the operator activates the steering guidance system and accelerates up to operating speed,” he says. “With a second push of the button, Cemos Auto Performance then takes control of the ground speed and engine output according to crop flow. “In simple terms, ground speed…

Held from November-15-18, EuroTier 2022 played host to a plethora of new machines, technology, equipment and feed developed to make farming just a little bit easier. Over 1,800 exhibitors from 57 countries exhibited at the event, showing off everything from new telehandlers to calf feeding technologies, robots and interesting apps that allow farmers to work remotely. Around 106,000 people attended the event, with visitor numbers down 40,000 on previous years, but event organisers DLG were satisfied, noting the figure had suffered following the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the highlights of the event were: New Manitou MLT850 Manitou’s MLT 850-145 V+ telehandler is the fourth model in the NewAg XL range, following the launch of the MLT 841, 1041 and 961 in Europe earlier this year. With a load capacity of five…

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: www.classictruckandmachinery.com.au IDW Australia – Tatura Park Australia’s International Dairy Week, held in Tatura Park, Victoria, is a forum to showcase the latest developments in Australian dairy cattle, farming practices, dairy knowledge, breeding and genetics, machinery, equipment and technology, environmental management and services. Held during the third…

Combining more than 50 years of manufacturing experience with a desire to innovate and a commitment to research and development is a concise summary of Maxxis’ tyres evolution. The Taiwanese company has research and development facilities in three different continents, which helps Australian farmers know the tyres they put on their valuable machinery have been put through their paces. Furthermore, the development of Maxxis’ newest tyre – the Razr – included testing in Australia, from as far afield as north Queensland to Victoria and South Australia, to ensure it is suitable for the rigours of Australian conditions. The Razr tyre comes in two models - the all-terrain AT811 and the mud terrain MT772 – which are designed for 4WDs and utes. Maxxis’ Australian representative Jeff Moorhead says the all-terrain tyre…

Recent analysis of the satellite data used during Brisbane’s floods in February provides an example of how this information could help Australia respond to similar events in future. University of Queensland researchers have used satellites with radar imaging sensors to provide a more regular supply of images and, crucially, these can also provide images at night or through clouds. During the Brisbane floods, researchers combined daytime satellite photos showing the extent of flooding with imaging radar and optical nighttime data of lights associated with human activity. “We could see which areas became dark as the flood waters encroached,” UQ researcher Noam Levin says. “We matched this with data from river gauges operated by the Bureau of Meteorology, and with changes in electricity loads reported by Energex, the power supplier.” Levin…

Tasmanian farmer Simon Burgess has claimed the overall ‘supreme award’ at the 2022 Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation awards. Burgess operates Vaucluse Agricultural Company, almost 4500ha of mixed cropping and livestock across cereals, faba beans, poppies, potatoes, seed crops and fodder for livestock in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands. The property has 2151ha under centre pivot irrigation and 447ha under hard hose traveller irrigation, and it was Burgess’s irrigation design that caused the event judges to honour him with the award. Judges noted his well-considered approach to the design of the entire irrigation system, which they say considers water supply, soils, farm type, topography, enterprises, environment and people. They were also impressed by Burgess’ application of technology to improve the efficiencies and capacity of the property, and by how much of the property…

John Deere has received an innovation award from the prestigious US-based Consumer Technology Association (CTA) for the fourth consecutive year. The company won the Best of Innovation Robotics category and Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility category for its fully autonomous tractor. The announcement was made ahead of the CES 2023 technology event, which will take place in Las Vegas in January. John Deere’s fully autonomous tractor integrates technology such as cameras, artificial intelligence (AI), sensors and ultra-fast GPU processors to navigate through a field without an operator in the cab – helping customers be more efficient, productive, and profitable. “Farmers never have a shortage of work to do on any given day,” John Deere chief technology officer Jahmy Hindman says. “With our fully autonomous tractor, farmers have the flexibility to…

Two Case IH dealerships have expanded their operations by acquiring dealerships of fellow CNH Industrial company New Holland. In New South Wales, Casino-based Case IH dealership Days Machinery has purchased New Holland dealer Agrihaus Lismore. This means dual representation for CNH Industrial, with both the Casino and Lismore sites to sell Case IH and New Holland machinery in both the agriculture and construction sectors. At roughly the same time, South Burnett Machinery in Queensland has been purchased by Cheshire Machinery, which is already a dealer of both New Holland and Case IH equipment. For Bundaberg-based Cheshire Machinery, the purchase provides a new location about two hours’ drive away in Murgon, where both New Holland and Case IH equipment will be available. Cheshire Machinery only came into existence about 18 months…

Lemken has acquired a holding in Track32, the Dutch company which developed the software for the Steketee IC-Weeder AI. The IC-Weeder AI is an automatic hoeing machine which uses its artificial intelligence to reliably distinguish between sugar beets and weeds as it works in a paddock. It was this machine’s success that inspired Lemken to acquire the Track32 stake with a view towards further in-house technological development. “This will accelerate the development of smart technologies and ensures continuity,” Lemken Group managing director Anthony van der Ley says. “For Track32, our cooperation delivers planning security and great potential for growth.” Lemken says the investment will create further benefits including sustainability, as the manufacturer is confident that machine equipped with Track32 technology will make a major contribution to regenerative agriculture. Lemken also…

Tractor sales were again strong across the nation as the industry is now in full swing for this year’s harvest. The recent rainfall activity across much of eastern Australia has presented many challenges for farmers, however the overall picture remains healthy for machinery dealers. November sales were up 4.7 per cent on the same month last year and this now puts us 2.5 per cent up on the 2022 year to date. As things look, 2022 will be the second year in a row where more than 19,000 tractors were sold, with total sales volumes above $2 billion, a high watermark that represents the strongest run for the industry since the 1980s. With another seven months to go for the Temporary Full Expensing program, dealers continue to report high demand…

Australian agriculture can look forward to a positive year ahead, multiple industry figures believe, but dealing with several ongoing challenges will be key to maximising national potential. Rising interest rates, crop damage caused by east coast flooding, the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the end of the federal government’s instant asset write-off scheme will all be obstacles in the new year, but the prospect of another strong harvest, potential record annual tractor sales and ongoing progress to the national farmgate output target have the outlook appearing positive. Case IH general manager Pete McCann, Tractor and Machinery Association president Gary Northover and National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson have all expressed optimism about what was achieved in 2022 and the potential for what lies ahead. Firstly, McCann says the industry would benefit from…

Like the view from the top of your farm over the surrounding countryside? Then let’s hope you are not near the coast or near major power lines in a windy area! In Western Australia, the State and Federal governments and their consultants are currently quietly poring over maps looking for land that will be tomorrow’s wind farms. With the planned closure of Western Australia’s two state-owned coal fired power stations by 2030, the WA Government has put aside $3.8 billion to build 800MW of new wind generation and 1,100 MW of battery storage as a replacement for the loss of 1,100MW of reliable coal produced energy. What I want to talk about is the impact of the replacement windfarms on the state – specifically on the households that must look…

Western Australian farmers will be at the cutting edge of science thanks to a new $320 million biosecurity and research facility, the state’s premier Mark McGowan has declared. The WA government announced the new Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) facility will be built at Murdoch University’s Perth campus. It will span across more than 11 hectares of an existing agricultural precinct at the campus’ south-eastern corner and will be home to about 350 staff once it opens in 2027. The government says the facility will include: - Cutting-edge specialist laboratories and technical workspaces to support biosecurity, market access and primary industries research and development;- An incident and emergency management operational centre;- A glasshouse complex with glasshouses, shade houses and associated facilities; and- Field plots for on-site research.…

The US – the world’s second-largest importer of beef after China – is likely to be looking for even more beef from global markets over the next three years, as its own domestic production declines, Rabobank says in its Q4 Global Beef Quarterly report. However, production constraints in beef-producing nations around the world, including Australia, means that international markets will struggle to meet the gap left by the US beef market’s contraction. This could potentially lead to an increase in global beef prices and the redistribution of trade volumes, although the impact of slowing economic conditions and waning consumer confidence around the world may also soften global demand, it notes. Rabobank says that while the reduction in the size of the US cattle herd is nothing new – with numbers…

Soil contamination could become a thing of the past, thanks to South Australian research which says heavy pollutants can be removed in as little as two weeks. It would be good news for more than 10 million sites worldwide which are considered soil polluted and open up opportunities for farming on land which has been unusable. The UniSA research has developed a new soil remediation technique which uses an efficient solar evaporation surface to draw water from the soil through a sponge-like filter that traps contaminants such as heavy metals. This mimics the process of transpiration which occurs in natural plants, but works in as little as two weeks rather than multiple growing seasons. “Plants naturally draw mineral components out of the soil when they move water from their roots…

World food markets face volatility and ongoing high prices in 2023, a global new report from Rabobank – called Outlook 2023: Tightening the Belt – predicts. Consumers, farmers and suppliers will face issues around energy shortages, geopolitical upheaval and ongoing shortages of some key commodities, says Rabobank. However, there is the hope of more benign weather in 2023, with La Niña set to be a less disruptive influence after three years of extreme rainfall and flooding in parts of Australia. The prices of many global agri commodities are high by historic levels, yet a number of factors are depressing production levels that might otherwise increase supply. These include lost land in some key agricultural areas – notably war-torn Ukraine – high input prices on farms and increases in the cost…

German manufacturer Bergmann has made over the grain transfer trailer models of its GTW series, with a load volume of 21 to 43 cubic metres, equipping them with practical new solutions. For filling seed drills with fertiliser in addition to seed, the grain transfer trailers GTW 330 (33 cubic metres) and GTW 430 (43 cubic metres) can be equipped with the TwinBunker split bunker system. The TwinBunker is split 50/50 into two chambers perpendicular to the direction of travel. One chamber is for seed, the other for fertiliser. To allow independent emptying of the chambers, each chamber has an independently controllable dosing unit. To empty one chamber, the dosing unit of the other can be fully closed. For use as a transfer trailer for grain or corn maize harvesting, both…

Spraying specialist Silvan has a range of firefighting units for rural fire control, with most units able to be transported in a one-tonne tray between the arches of popular ute brands. Unique within the range is the 600-litre Silvan Honda Davey firefighting model, according to Silvan Selecta product manager Greg Everett. “Among its features are a galvanised slip-on type skid frame and factory fitted fast-filler kit,” he says. “A highlight of the range is many of the models have an internal baffle that reduces surge when travelling. “And, more importantly, all our fire fighters are built in Australia and factory tested prior to dispatch. “Also, we have the Selecta power engine and pump option for budget-conscious customers and the Honda/Davey unit for those happy to pay a bit more.” Everett…

John Shearer’s mounted airdrill brings together the versatility of multiple sowing spacing options, the convenience of an electronic drive and the reliability of Australian manufacturing. The AS2400LT airdrill is aimed primarily at small to medium-sized farms, the manufacturer says, but is packed with features designed to widen its appeal. Among these is a 6m sowing width, which John Shearer says allows farmers to conduct broader sowing than a conventional seed drill, while folding up to 3m for easy and safe road transport. Overall capacity is 2,400L across the two-compartment hopper, which is also designed for quick filling and easy cleaning. Farmers have the choice of four sowing spacing options – 125mm, 150mm, 175mm and 203mm – which equates to five, six, seven and eight inches. Operation has also been made…

JCB says its newest telehandler has the largest cabin in its class, despite being the smallest overall machine in its Loadall range. The Loadall 514-40 measures just 1.55m wide, 2.9m long and 1.8m high, with its compact height meaning it can fit underneath a 6-foot doorway. It will slot alongside existing Loadall models in the Australian range, expected to arrive Down Under in late 2023. Despite its compact size, the 514-40 boasts several features which JCB says puts the machine ahead of its competitors. It has a 1300kg lift capacity at its full height, which JCB says is the best in its class, while the manufacturer also says its full-width cabin gives operators an extra 200mm of space. A low-maintenance 19kW (25hp) engine helps to keep running costs down, while…

Valmetal – Supercart Designed for feeding dairy cows or heifers, the Valmetal Supercart VA is a self-propelled unit powered by an engine. Ranging in capacity from 0.9 cubic metres to 2.7 cubic metres, the Supercart is equipped with a 12-inch discharge auger, fitted on the right-hand side. The operator simply stands on the cart when using it, or a seat can be attached for extra comfort. Wasserbauer – Flypit When it comes to bedding cows in cubicles or calves in pens Wasserbauer’s Flypit bedding machine has proven a popular choice. The Flypit provides regular bedding in individual pens or cubicles for dry lying areas and improved hygiene, which helps to improve the health of animals in the barn in the long term. Round or square bales of straw are fed…

Challenges with accumulating large bales are a thing of the past when using Arcusin’s ForStack. The Spanish manufacturer has been distributing its bale handling equipment in Australia for more than 20 years and recently established a local dealer network. Arcusin’s Queensland dealer is QMAC Machinery, based in Tolga in the state’s north. Representative Cameron Hutchesson says the ForStack makes life easier for farmers. “This Arcusin ForStack has the ability to carry up to four big square bales to a headland or leave up to five big square bales stacked in a paddock,” Hutchesson says. “These are ready to be picked up with a tele-handler and loaded straight onto a truck in a paddock. “One of the advantages is the machine travels the same way as the baler when picking up…

Released a decade after its first Greener Pastures report, ANZ’s Greener Pastures 2: Critical Pathways to Capture Global Agricultural Opportunities report says Australian agriculture is in the strongest and most competitive position it has enjoyed in recent history. Reflecting on the predictions made in the first report for Australian agriculture throughout the 2010s and highlighting lessons to be learned from this period, Greener Pastures 2 also promotes five themes to build on recent momentum. “The industry is in a robust position because of a combination of factors,” ANZ executive director for agricultural insights and the report’s lead author Michael Whitehead says. “Extended high prices for most commodities and good production seasons, combined with the evolution of the overall sector, has meant Australian agriculture has reached greater structural efficiency, resilience and…

Individuals and now organisations making a difference in agribusiness can be nominated for Rabobank’s Leadership Awards. The two traditional honours will continue, one of which is the main leadership award which honours an accomplished senior agribusiness sector leader. The other – Rabobank’s Emerging Leader award – recognises an upcoming agriculture industry talent. For the first time in more than 20 years, an outstanding rural community initiative can also be nominated for Rabobank’s Community Leadership Award. Rabobank’s awards select the best across Australia and New Zealand, however the community leadership award will be awarded separately in both countries. Winners will receive a $25,000 grant to help strengthen the initiative’s impact. “The Rabobank Community Leadership Awards will go to an outstanding initiative in each country which provides tangible, meaningful benefit to the…

Finding a way to create a uniform spread of residue from harvesters will be vital to improving crops under no-till farming, a team of WA-based researchers has found. The statement was made in a new article published in the journal Soil & Tillage Research, from a study co-funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation and including researchers from the University of WA, CSIRO and the WA No-Tillage Farmers Association. Conducted over six years at the Cunderdin College of Agriculture in the Western Australian Wheatbelt, the study looked at how soil chemistry, crop establishment and yield were affected by long-term uneven residue spread in cereal (wheat-wheat-barley) and diverse (wheat-legume-canola) crop rotations. Within each crop and rotation, residue management consisted of either spreading or windrow-burning and measurements were taken from three…

A nationwide surveillance program undertaken by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) found 94 per cent of new quad bikes were compliant with the new laws, which were introduced in October 2021. The results indicated a ten per cent increase of compliance from the first round of surveillance conducted in 2021 according to ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh. “It’s encouraging to see compliance with the standard has improved from 84 per cent in 2021 to 94 per cent this year. It shows that manufacturers and dealers are taking their obligations seriously and have co-operated with our investigations, taking steps to fix problems when necessary,” Keogh says. The second round of surveillance saw the ACCC work with state and territory consumer protection and work health and safety agencies to inspect…

Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) will become the official material handling partner of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) under a deal that will also see the Toyota Forklifts brand become the naming rights sponsor for three Group 3 races. The three-year partnership will commence from 2023, with TMHA set to become an extensive presence at ATC venues, which includes Randwick Racecourse, Rosehill Gardens, Canterbury Park, Warwick Farm and the Rosehill Bowling Club. Consistent TMHA signage, in-venue media and an active presence at events such as the Everest will also be a fixture of the partnership. The three Group 3 races to bear the Toyota Forklifts name are the $500,000 Toyota Forklifts Gloaming Stakes on Silver Eagle Day, $160,000 Toyota Forklifts Doncaster Prelude on Stakes Day and $160,000 Toyota Forklifts Frank…