Tanker upgrade delivers more traction, driver comfort
Distributed in New Zealand by Norwood, Pichon has expanded its SV effluent tanker range with the addition of the new SV12R single-axle and SV15R tandem-axle models.
With dairy herds growing larger comes a trend towards heavier diet mixers and longer mixing times.
So diet mixers must be stronger and last longer.
Kongskilde uses a new heavy duty transmission driveline in its largest diet mixers. It has a gearbox with oil cooling to ensure a constant, optimal operating temperature when subjected to heavy and prolonged loads.
The range consists of 21 basic families with one, two or three vertical augers, manufactured using modular construction.
The design allows tailored solutions with features such as standard discharge doors and, in the B range, a cross conveyor up front. The X-range has a 4-in-1 cross conveyer belt solution (flat, side, shift and elevator right and left), while the M range is configured for straw bedding and professional feeding.
The smallest models have a hopper volume of 6.5cu.m while the largest are a cavernous 45cu.m, able to supply 35 to 350 dairy cows per load. For example, the VM18-2 Multi suits 105-135 cows per load, while the VM 24-3 can supply 135-185 cows per load.
The company’s mixers can also be equipped with the Mix+ option, a wear part concept
that sees replaceable front edges on the mixer augers. This ensures a more uniform mixing quality over the machine’s life and reduce maintenance costs.
Completing the package, the FeedManager and ProFeed+ software packages gice an overview of the ingredients to be loaded according to a predetermined feed plan and then compares what has been fed. This allows better control and ongoing analysis of the feeding regime.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.