100 years of Farmall Tractors
Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of Ashburton on 6-7th April.
John Deere 8R Series tractors can now be configured to continually monitor and adjust tyre pressures by push button.
This is done using a new fully-integrated central tyre inflation (CTIF) system.
Available ex-factory on 8Rs fitted with independent link suspension, this in-house manufactured system uses an on-board compressor. This means that tyres can be deflated to increase their footprint by nearly 25%, while a reduction of up to 3psi in ground pressure results in 2-4% less wheel slip.
Other benefits of lower in-paddock tyre pressures include reduced compaction and fuel consumption as well as increased pulling performance.
Configured with large diameter fabric air lines for rapid inflation and deflation times, the internal pressure of a 710/75R42 and 650/60R34 combination can be increased from 0.8 to 1.8 bar in under six and a half minutes for road travel.
This offers improved driving behaviour, reduced rolling resistance and less tyre wear. Once back in the paddock, it only takes around four minutes to revert to the lower pressure settings.
An external compressed air connection makes it possible to connect an air gun for cleaning purposes or powering air tools.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.