increase font size
Amazone fertiliser spreader
Amazone's CurveControl won a silver medal winner at Agritechnica 2023.
It adjusts the lateral distribution to the various cornering speeds and corrects the movement of the spread pattern in centrifugal fertiliser spreaders when driving around bends, resulting in more uniform crops and also helps prevent over-fertilisation inside the bend and fertiliser placement beyond the field boundary.
While curve compensation has already been implemented by Amazone in its crop sprayers, the geometry of the sprayer boom being located tight behind the physical pivot point of the machine means only the application rate within the boom needs adjustment to compensate for curves.
In the case of a fertiliser spreader, the typical throwing distance is up to twice the working width and the application area can be many metres behind the spreader, depending on the type of fertiliser, while the spread fan is kidney-shaped area. This demands a detailed knowledge of the way that the spreading unit works with various fertilisers, along with a corresponding complex implementation of a control algorithm.
Modern centrifugal fertiliser spreaders have the disadvantage that over- and under-fertilised areas inside of the working width occur when negotiating bends as a result of different speeds.
This effect is amplified by the combination of forward speed and swivelling of the spread pattern caused by the steering angle. This means that significant over-fertilisation arises in some areas because of these multiple overlaps, whereas gaps occur in other areas. In addition, the swivelling of the spread fan at the edge of the field causes fertiliser to be applied beyond the field boundary.
CurveControl prevents these effects, which are undesirable from an ecological and economic point of view, and thereby minimises the risk of nutrients leaching into the ground water. Furthermore, incorrect application beyond the field boundary when negotiating bends is prevented by the system.
In addition, CurveControl can further improve the environmentally friendly use of mineral fertiliser in combination with existing solutions such as ArgusTwin, WindControl and GPS part-width section control.
While Nokia is more likely recognised for mobile devices, a major investment of €70m (NZ$126m) by global farm machinery brand AGCO at its facility in Linnavuori, in Nokia, will see the plant establish a new laboratory for testing combustion engines running on alternative fuels, alongside a range of electric solutions, including hybrids, fuel cells and high-voltage battery technology.
Evan Paxton and his family at Riverview Farms, Dargaville, are one of New Zealand’s leading suppliers of kumara.
There can't be many heavy metal fans who haven’t heard of Basildon, situated about 40km east of London and originally created in 1948 to deal with the population boom after the Second World War.
Think of a RAM 1500 or a Chevrolet Silverado and compare them to a Ranger or a Hilux: One is obviously a truck, and the other is a ute.
With effluent management never far from the thoughts of legislators and farmers becoming increasingly aware of the nutrient values of dairy effluent, innovate ideas for the convenient storage and subsequent discharge are always of interest.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.
