Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
Downs, a leader in potato reception, automated sorting, and storage, has introduced its new high-throughput optical sorter for unwashed potatoes – the CropVision Plus.
Following the CropVision, launched in 2020, the new version promises to revolutionise optical sorting with technological innovations to meet the growing demands for precision and efficiency among potato producers.
The CropVision Plus brings several improvements including eight times more powerful processors for accelerated and optimised data processing, delivering better sorting performance.
Advanced lighting technology enhances defect detection, ensuring optimal sorting even for the most challenging potato varieties.
A newly designed user interface offers improved ergonomics, simplifying operation and configuration for users of all levels.
Market-first connectivity features enable real-time monitoring, remote updates, and simplified data management for maintenance.
Building on the success of previous versions, the 2025 edition also expands sorting functionalities to include onions, opening new opportunities for producers. AI-driven assistance simplifies the adjustment of sorter settings, boosting efficiency and enhancing sorting quality.
Meanwhile, a new operating system is exclusively compatible with the CropVision Plus range, featuring an intuitive interface designed for seamless operation akin to smartphone usage, while the launch of the MyCropVision App offers an intuitive customer application accessible across all devices.
Key features of the MyCropVision app include centralised access to comprehensive information about the CropVision Plus sorter, real-time supervision with remote status updates, personalised alerts and real-time incident notifications.
“With the CropVision Plus, Downs once again demonstrates its commitment to providing innovative solutions for potato producers, combining precision, speed, and user-friendliness,” says Downs managing director Damien Dubrulle.
“We have listened to our customers’ feedback and worked to integrate features that address the specific needs of our ever-evolving market.”
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
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