Kilter AX-1: First Autonomous Weeding Robot Lands in NZ
Claimed to be the first autonomous robot for New Zealand vegetables growers, the first Kilter AX-1 unit has arrived in the country.
The first Croplands sprayers made their way into New Zealand’s apple orchards nearly 50 years ago.
Over the years, the company has evolved into a business that offers New Zealand and Australian farmers and growers the tools to cover any crops.
As a subsidiary of crop protection company Nufarm, Croplands has access to crop protection specialists with deep understanding of chemicals and their requirements for application.
This connection allows it to provide growers a unique approach to selecting and achieving the best outcome with their sprayers.
Designed and built to deal with New Zealand’s tough and varying terrain, Croplands says its spray equipment gives its users the confidence to take on pass after pass and row after row saving time, reducing costs and maximising productivity.
With an extensive range from knapsacks to self-propelled sprayers, a recently introduced range of 3-point linkage sprayers add durability and several unique features. This includes keeping the weight as close as possible to the rear wheels to optimise load-carrying potential, improve stability and ensure the safety of the operator.
Standard features across the linkage range include robust hot-dipped galvanised frames, UV-stabilised tanks, 80L/min PTO pump.
This is rear-mounted – meaning a longer PTO drive shaft to allow shallower universal joint angles.
This range of sprayers also includes a flush tank and Airmix, low-drift, air-induction nozzles.
Tank sizes range from 300 to 1600 litres and booms are available from 4 to 24 metres.
Farmlands has reported higher operating earnings and a profit before income tax of $4.5 million, up 118.9%, for the year ended 30 June 2026.
AgriZeroNZ has invested a further NZ$17.7 million in methane vaccine developer ArkeaBio and NZ$5.1 million in BioLumic, a New Zealand-founded company that uses ultraviolet light to develop low-emissions pasture..
Good news for Fonterra farmers. The co-op has raised this season’s farmgate milk price mid-point by 25c to $9.75/kgMS.
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.
In farming there are external factors that can influence behaviour of a whole herd, such as a bad weather event, triggering false positive heat detections or health attentions.
For Canterbury dairy farmer Cameron Henderson, supporting Meet the Need comes down to a simple question: how can the success of New Zealand farming benefit more than just those within the industry?