Agricultural drone use soars among NZ contractors
Use of agricultural drones by contractors in New Zealand is soaring.
Our lives seem to revolve around smartphones and tablets, so the recent launch of a useful app by AGCO will hit the mark with the techies out there.
Available for download from The App Store, the Parts Book to Go app supports the full MF, Fendt, Valtra and Challenger tractor ranges, from current models back to historic icons like the MF 35, as well as hay and harvest products, and is available in a multi-language format.
It allows operators to look at exploded view drawings of the complete machines, identify the parts required and add them to a shopping basket. This list can be exported via email straight to the local dealer for ordering, and usual next day delivery, or in the case of employees, back to base for confirmation.
The app also has an offline books function that, after downloading the relevant parts books, allows users to create a parts list when out in the backblocks, and action once they are back in a coverage area.
It should also prove useful to create a list on the return to base of an evening and send it to the dealer, who can action it at the start of the next working day, and allow users to have a discussion with the dealer and carry out fault diagnosis with the drawings in front of the operator.
The app should allow users to identify parts quickly thus saving time during critical harvest periods, but also removes the need to carry bulky and easily damaged parts book in the tractor.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
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