While the German manufacturer Krone can claim a history dating back 115 years, its large square balers are much more recent.

Much like the price of petrol, the power outputs of self-propelled forage harvesters continue to rise. 

The latest Krone Comprima net wrap unit is proving its worth to Wairarapa dairy farmer Lewis Herrick by enabling him to use net-wrap or a net replacement film for the first time.

They say that X is an unknown quantity, but not so when you look at the Krone Big X range of forage harvesters.

Recently visiting New Zealand was Krone general manager of sales and marketing Willhelm Voss, who was passing the baton, after 22 years, to his successor Martin Eyning.

Wrapped round bales make life easier during feeding out, but they present the problem of plastic waste needing to be separated from net wrap.

Masterton distributor Tulloch will showcase products from its Krone, Baertschi and Monosem stables at this year's Central Districts field days.

What's new in machinery and products.

The current world market for self-propelled foragers is about 3000 units annually, of which German specialist Krone holds about 15% (450 units) with its Big X series. 

They say innovation is changing the way we do business and this was professionally demonstrated by the Tulloch site at National Fieldays.