Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition
Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to farmers.
If you want a sneak peek at Kubota’s vision for the future, look no further than its Concept-X tractor recently unveiled in Kyoto City.
Designed to commemorate the Japanese company’s 130th anniversary, the fully autonomous, tracked machine is said to be packed with artificial intelligence and electrification technology. The layout centres around the increasingly popular use of rubber tracks at each corner, with electrical power being achieved by lithium-ion and solar batteries.
The vehicle is also able to adjust its working height to give sufficient clearance for a range of crops, while also using the same technology to “lower” itself to increase traction in difficult ground conditions.
Steering is effected by changing the speed of each electric wheel motor, said to result in a very tight turning radius The company suggests that the development of such concepts addresses the two main challenges in the Japanese agricultural sector: those of labour shortages and the increasing average age of the country’s farmers.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.
OPINION: Are the heydays of soaring global demand for butter over?