Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
Patent number 372140 won’t be very important to many, but to one of the world’s largest manufacturers of harvest equipment it was a building block to the future.
The patent for a knotter to bind straw was granted to Claas in 1921, and to this day it remains part of the company logo.
That knotter was used on stationary balers in the early years and became part of the company’s first pick-up baler in 1934. Claas recently its 300,000th machine, a Rollant 454 Uniwrap round baler.
In 1958, Rheinhold, son of founder August Claas, built a factory at Metz, SE France, as the home for Claas forage equipment, particularly balers.
Now 400 employees turn out 5000 balers a year, badged Rollant, Variant and Quadrant. The factory produces 21 different models, sold to 100 countries.
These harvest 25 different crop types: old standards such as wheat, barley and oat straws, cotton in South Africa, peanut haulm for cattle feed in America, flax in Eastern Europe and the likes of miscanthus and reed canary grass in France.
The 300,000th machine will be used for promotional purposes.
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.