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.
Norwood Farm Machinery Centre has been appointed the preferred distributor of Croplands spray equipment in New Zealand.
Norwoods will handle sales, service and parts support, while Croplands provides extended technical and sprayer-specific expertise.
Aimed at developing the higher-end market in agriculture, where emerging technologies are bringing benefits in application, product usage and ultimately cost reduction, the partnership will cover all Croplands products from knapsack to self-propelled machines; but the deal will exclude some viticulture-specific machines subject to a separate agreement.
Sales and service training are now complete and plans are in place to visit supplier factories in Europe later in the year to investigate customisation of large mounted and trailed machines specifically for the NZ market.
Greg Small, area sales manager for Croplands, comments, "Norwood and Croplands share a common cultural identity and have similar visions, which starts with openness, which has already seen us share details of the 35+ development projects we are currently working on.
"The agreement will give Croplands a level of consistency across the country and will allow us to offer higher levels of service and an increased product range."
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
Opportunity says its land value tax (LVT) is unlikely to force farmers into a position where asset sales or increased debt are required.
Milk powder prices are keeping farmgate prices up, helping processors offset the dip in milk fat prices.
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.