JD unveils its latest beast
John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up – including three new high-horsepower four-track models.
The Dutch selfpropelled sprayer manufacturer Agrifac already has an impressive product portfolio.
This includes the DynamicDosePlus, a targeted-high accuracy application system working on 25 x 25cm areas. It is delivered from prescription maps and the industry leading AiCPlus – a machine-mounted, artificial-intelligence driven optical spraying with green on brown and green on green capability.
To further strengthen its position in precision application, Agrifac is expanding its offering with the addition of WEED-IT spot spraying technology – from fellow Dutch company Rometron for the Condor and Condor Endurance field sprayers.
WEED-IT originated at the German Wageningen University & Research in 1997, before being launched by Rometron in 1999.
It is claimed to reduce chemical costs by up to 90%, without the need for cameras or images to process.
Instead, living plant chlorophyll emits a small portion of near infrared light as a reaction to the light emitted by the boom-mounted WEED-IT sensors.
Referred to as fluorescence, the sensors distinguish growing weeds from dead plant matter and soil.
This highly effective method of spot spraying, usually applied outside the growing season, has been widely proven in Australia, the United States and Canada.
Claimed to detect all weeds at all speeds, the technology also works in the dark.
In practice, the technology can be built onto all trailed and selfpropelled sprayers with working widths up to at least 36m.
“WEED-IT is a worldwide, commonly used spot spray system to control weeds in a very efficient way,” says Rens Albers, product manager at Agrifac.
“The option to combine WEED-IT with our Agrifac field sprayers makes the entire crop protection on your farm even more efficient.”
Richard Sheppy, managing director of Agrifac Australia, says the addition of WEED-IT to the Agrifac portfolio is the first OEM offering on self propelled sprayers within Australia.
“We see this as another tool available to our customers as they strive to reduce chemical usage and drive sustainability in their businesses.”
Red meat farmers have dealt a major blow to their umbrella farmer body, Beef + Lamb New Zealand - rejecting an increase in directors’ fees.
The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.
Southland-based Mataura Valley Milk can now lay claim to be the first all-electric dairy factory in New Zealand.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.
There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.
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