Claas unveils next-generation large square baler concept ahead of Agritechnica 2025
Innovation awards at international agricultural events are always on the wishlist of manufacturers.
With a working width of up to 9.50m, the Claas Disco 9700 butterfly disc mower is available in five versions with the choice of tine or roller conditioner units and swath merging.
Combining Max Cut mower beds with quick knife change and the Active Float suspension, new features include the flow-optimised wear skids-first seen on the Disco 8500, 9300 and 1010 in 2022-offering the ability to increase cutting height by 15mm.
New swinging arms on all 9700 models can be hydraulically extended laterally by 300mm or pulled inwards by 50mm to adjust the cutter-bar overlap when turning corners or working across slopes, helping to avoid unmown strips of grass. The swing arm travel can be infinitely adjusted from the cab between 8.80 and 9.50m. When folded into transport position, the arms automatically retract to a height of less than 4.0m.
Suitable for tractors of up to 500hp, the 9700 RC (roller conditioner) and Auto Swather versions are specifically developed for lucerne and whole-crop silage, where material is gently crushed by two counter-rotating polyurethane rollers, with minimal leaf shatter. One, or both belt units can be folded up hydraulically when working without swath merging.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.