Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
Available in working widths of 3, 3.5 and 4 metres, Amazone’s new Centaya-C harrow-mounted seed drills are said to allow precise seed metering and exact depth placement at operating speeds of up to 12 km/h.
It comes with either RoTeC pro single-disc coulters or TwinTeC double-disc coulters on 12.5 or 15cm row spacings. A 2,000-litre twin-chamber hopper allows different combinations and application rates of seeds, fertiliser or other inputs to be sown in a single pass. Infinitely adjustable electric metering units allow precise application rates of 0.5 to 400 kg/ha.
RoTeC utilises a proven ‘single shot’ process, where the two inputs – for example, fertiliser and seed – are individually metered and then conveyed to a single-entry point via a shared conveying system. By comparison, TwinTeC is a two-shot process whereby the two inputs are individually metered and conveyed to different entry points via separate conveyors.
The main hopper can be divided 70/30 or 60/40, to suit a combination of seed and fertiliser requirements, while also offering a large opening for easy filling and access to the hopper and metering units via the loading platform. Meanwhile, an optional storage compartment is available for additional bags of seed and the drill can be equipped with a quick-emptying device for fast seed change-over.
The SmartCenter control panel is used for calibration and establishing machine settings, while the metering system is controlled via the AMAZONE AmaTron 4 terminal inside the cabin.
The unit can be easily connected to other AMAZONE tillage implements, such as the KE rotary harrows or the KG rotary cultivators, via the QuickLink quick coupling system and can also be used in conjunction with the GreenDrill 200 for the simultaneous sowing of catch crops or fine seeds. This combination allows a third material to be applied to the soil surface via baffle plates, with seed fed directly from the 200-litre mounted hopper.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.