NH tractor powered by methane goes on sale
First unveiled in 2023, New Holland has announced the addition of the T7.270 Methane Power CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) tractor to the recently expanded T7 Range.
For the 2018 season, the newly launched FR920 is the most powerful self-propelled forage harvester from New Holland.
Its all-new FPT Industrial Stage IV V20 engine delivers a maximum power of 911hp (670kW) at 1600 to 1800rpm, 4095Nm maximum torque and a 44% torque rise from 2100 to 1600rpm.
The company says the engine reacts fast to changing load and is fuel-efficient in the 1600 to 1900rpm working range.
The in-line concept and direct driveline logic of the FR Forage Cruiser ensures power from the new V20 engine is efficiently transmitted to the driven parts and, ultimately, to the ground.
Components are reinforced to manage the increased power, while the heavy-duty mechanical 4WD option increases the maximum torque transferred to the wheels by 60% compared to the standard 4WD system.
Engagement of the 4WD system is controlled by the Terralock feature, which automatically activates and deactivates the four-wheel-drive axle depending on the steering angle setting, minimising damage to the field surface during headland turns and reducing operator fatigue in long harvesting days.
Other features of the harvester include heavy-duty axles that are guidance ready, a reinforced steering axle support and the possibility to fit larger footprint steering tyres.
The overall feeding system has been improved with a 12.5% bigger intake channel and, in addition to the standard crop processor, the FR is now available with the new DuraCracker and DuraShredder systems.
The new DuraCracker system has reinforced frames and drives to deliver uniform kernel cracking and outstanding processing performance to match the high outputs of the new model. Meanwhile, the DuraShredder module adds a further element, using rolls with additional spiral cuts that shred the crop and more intensively process both kernel and stover, especially at longer chop lengths.
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.
The black and white coat of Holstein- Friesian cows is globally recognised as a symbol of dairy farming and a defining trait of domestic cattle. But until recently, scientists didn’t know which genes were responsible for the Holstein’s spots.
According to the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2024/25 report, New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows.

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