Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
Italian manufacturer Maschio, whose products are imported and distributed in New Zealand by the Power Farming Group, has introduced the SC Pro-Bio rotary cultivator.
This machine is specifically designed to target cover crop incorporation, resulting in improved soil organic matter. The SC Pro-Bio has been designed to break down and incorporate crop residues, cover crops and green manures.
The cultivator mulches plant debris and mixes it with fine soil in the top few centimetres of the profile. This helps speed up the decomposition and the transformation of residue into compost-like material.
Meanwhile, the company suggests that adding a front flail mower to the operation can improve mulching and organic matter breakdown – particularly in thicker cover crops.
Suitable for use with tractors from 110hp and 170hp, the SC Pro-Bio is equipped with 6 ‘L’ type blades per flange, operating at 540rpm or 1,000rpm, to achieve a rotor speed of up to 300rpm.
To achieve a uniform working depth across the full 2.8 or 3.1 metre working width of the machine, the SC Pro-Bio has four depth wheels. This ensures optimum stability and uniformity – particularly at shallow settings. Working at depths of 3cm to 6cm the SC Pro-Bio can work to speeds of up to 10km/h.
To aid aeration, with the aim of increased material breakdown, the rear hood can be adjusted hydraulically from the tractor seat to allow perfect control of soil mixing.
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Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
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