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 has introduced the SC Pro-Bio rotary cultivator, specifically designed to target cover crop incorporation, resulting in improved soil organic matter.
Maschio’s SC Pro-Bio has been designed to break down and incorporate crop residues, cover crops and green manures. Plant debris are mulched and mixed with fine soil in the top few centimetres of the profile, thereby speeding up the decomposition and transformation of residue into compost-like material.
The company, whose products are imported and distributed in New Zealand by the Power Farming Group, 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 to ensure 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 breakdown, the rear hood can be adjusted hydraulically from the tractor seat to allow perfect control of soil mixing.
China’s Ambassador Wang Xiaolong says bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and New Zealand has made significant and rapid progress.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
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.