Is augmented reality the future of farming?
Imagine a farmer being able to tell a paddock’s pasture cover and dry matter content just by looking at it, or accessing information about a cow’s body condition score in the same way.
British company BuyAnyPart has launched a service manufacturing rare or obsolete parts using 3-D printing technology.
The product should help with the angst suffered in sourcing replacement parts for older machinery.
It starts by modelling the required part on a computer using CAD (computer-aided design) software or by scanning the item with a 3-D scanner.
Fully functioning parts can be created by 3-D printing, with the additional benefit that you can create as many as you want.
The filaments and machines used for the 3-D printing process have evolved enormously over the last few years and are durable, strong and very precise. Depending on the material, the parts can be used as temporary or permanent replacements or as guides/templates for manufacturing actual replacements, perhaps from a designated grade of steel.
The company says “the usefulness of an older tractor or machine shouldn’t be determined by the availability of spare parts, so we are happy to offer an alternative to extend their working lives”.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.