John Deere launches Harvest Profit in NZ & Australia
Recently released in Australia and New Zealand by John Deere, a unique new software platform offers near real time profitability monitoring across crops and individual paddocks.
Two new machines from John Deere increase their offering in the grass harvesting sector.
The new C451R and C461R variable chamber, baler wrapper combinations are said to meet the needs of farmers and contractors.
Mirroring the C441R fixed chamber model, both machines have a full frame chassis for reliability and strength. Additionally, a high capacity feeding system combines with the maker’s Fast Release System for increased outputs.
The manufacturer says the main point of the baler’s design is its performance and ability to work in heavy, wet grass crops, and to deal with dry, often brittle, straw.
Making bales up to 1.85m diameter, the baler has a pick-up with a five-tine bar, cam track design, carrying 6mm tines and stainless steel stripper bands for durability.
There is a choice of feeding systems using a high capacity MaxiCut HC rotor with 13 or 25 knives, with a new reinforced wear resistant Hardox steel rotor also adding to the machine’s overall performance and strength.
The C451R and C461R use a well proven in-line rotor concept, which positively transfers all types of crop through to the bale chamber. This minimises any possibility of crop build-up and uneven feeding. Both versions also have a full width, parallel drop floor system operated from the tractor cab, which enables blockages to be removed easily.
As on the C441R wrapping baler, the C451R and C461R now have a 15% faster wrapper element working at 40 rpm. With a table transfer system 18% faster than on the previous C440R model, the new machine is said to achieve much higher overall productivity.
These new machines also have a tandem axle layout for improved stability and reduced ground compaction.
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.

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