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UC7 Plus helps farmers and crop service providers lower inputs. (Image Credit:

Equipment

Topcon Agriculture has launched the UC7 Plus, the next generation of its boom height control technology for agricultural spraying applications

Built on the solid foundation of Topcon’s Norac boom height control systems, the UC7 Plus helps farmers and crop service providers lower inputs, improve crop performance, and reduce equipment maintenance costs with enhanced spray control and height management capabilities.

The new technology is compatible with most self-propelled and pull-type sprayers, and features advanced sensor technology designed to boost performance and reliability. The UC7 Plus includes the dynamic chassis sensor (DCS-1) to improve the stability and responsiveness of the boom control system. Additionally, the latest MS-1 sensors with MAX Sense ultrasonic technology enhance performance even in challenging terrains. These sensors are built to endure tough field conditions with features such as corrosion-resistant GF nylon housing, a protective transducer screen, and multi-axis vents.

Nick Townsend, Vice President of Topcon Agriculture, highlighted the benefits of the technology. “The combination of proven legacy solutions with the latest in precision technology serves up an extreme opportunity for lower operating and input costs, and lower equipment repair costs,” he said. “Spraying system advances increasingly provide farmers and service providers with an opportunity to achieve a greater return on investment on their equipment, either through upgrades or new investments. The UC7 Plus directly drives those savings.”

The UC7 Plus technology also supports sustainability efforts by ensuring that only the necessary amount of spray is applied where needed, helping farmers achieve optimal crop performance while meeting compliance standards and saving on costs. Furthermore, the technology significantly reduces operator stress and fatigue by automating boom height adjustments to match land contours, removing the need for constant monitoring of field terrain.

With improved spraying performance by up to 30%, according to Topcon’s testing data, the UC7 Plus provides a practical and efficient solution for farmers, offering incremental upgrades to existing systems and further cost-saving potential.

 

This collaboration integrates their platforms, offering users the ability to monitor and track their assets. (Image credit: Razor Tracking)

Equipment

 CLAAS and Razor Tracking have formed a strategic partnership to enhance farm equipment management and support vehicle tracking

This collaboration integrates their platforms, offering users the ability to monitor and track their assets across both Razor Tracking and CLAAS Connect platforms.

The integration allows farmers to view their equipment, service vehicles, and non-powered assets in real-time. Razor Tracking devices not only provide GPS location but also offer valuable insights such as vehicle VIN, fuel levels, operating hours, engine status, location history, heading, weather overlays, and speed. This comprehensive data ensures better visibility, helping farmers ensure crew members are working in the correct fields and making deliveries to the right locations, ultimately improving operational transparency.

Eric Raby, Senior Vice President of CLAAS Americas, highlighted the importance of smart logistics in modern agriculture. “Knowledge is power. Nowhere is that more evident than on a modern farm where smart logistics and equipment tracking are crucial for saving both time and money,” he said. This partnership seeks to streamline fleet management, extending its capabilities beyond CLAAS equipment, offering a robust solution to optimise farming operations.

Eric Mauch, Managing Partner of Razor Tracking, also emphasised the value of the partnership. “We’re proud to be a GPS Telematics integration partner with CLAAS in North America,” he stated. “This partnership combines our advanced GPS tracking technology with our deep roots in agriculture, allowing customers to seamlessly monitor and manage all of their equipment across multiple farm locations from one powerful platform.”

By merging the strengths of both companies, this integration aims to provide farmers with a more efficient and transparent way to manage their fleets, improving decision-making and overall farm productivity. With the combined power of Razor Tracking's telematics technology and CLAAS' expertise, the partnership offers a holistic solution for equipment tracking and fleet management in the agricultural sector.

This new partnership builds on previous efforts between the three companies to test and promote digital technologies that improve productivity.

Agriculture

Seibu Kaihatsu Nosan Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation Tohoku Co., Ltd. have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and revitalising regional farming in Japan’s Tohoku region

This alliance focuses on improving food production, supporting local farmers, and promoting the use of smart farming technologies. The collaboration will focus on four key areas:

The first project aims to improve productivity and efficiency in agriculture by introducing smart farming technologies. These technologies, which include IoT-based work tracking, automated machinery, and agricultural drones, will be showcased through demonstrations to farmers across Tohoku. The goal is to help farmers achieve stable food production by adopting these innovations.

This initiative focuses on supporting farmers with consulting services and training programmes. The companies will collect and analyse data from farm machinery and smartphones to help improve operational efficiency. By leveraging their expertise in farmland management, they aim to sustain and grow regional agriculture, even in the face of a declining and ageing farming population.

The third project will work on enhancing the agricultural supply chain. By linking producer data with food processing and distribution companies, the alliance will help farmers better manage market fluctuations and improve product quality. The project also includes support for post-harvest activities such as sorting and drying, which will benefit producers and the entire distribution network in the region.

The fourth area of focus involves the adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices. The partners will demonstrate and promote the use of eco-friendly agricultural inputs and cultivation systems, with an emphasis on reducing environmental impact. They also plan to explore the practical application of a carbon credit programme to further boost sustainability.

Japan’s agricultural industry is facing a critical challenge, with the number of farmers halving in the last 20 years. In 2023, the average age of Japanese farmers stood at 69. Additionally, nearly 10% of Japan’s farmland is abandoned, with over 420,000 hectares left unused.

Seibu Kaihatsu Nosan, one of Japan’s largest agricultural corporations, manages about 1,000 hectares of farmland and has already been leveraging smart technologies for more efficient farming. By offering services such as spraying, harvesting, and drying on behalf of neighbouring farmers, the company is helping maintain the vibrancy of regional agriculture.

This new partnership builds on previous efforts between the three companies to test and promote digital technologies that improve productivity. Their expanded collaboration aims to address the pressing issues facing agriculture in Tohoku, driving both technological innovation and regional revitalisation.

African Farming

  • HSW ECO MATIC® 6ml _ 10ml (for injection, oral and pour-on application)

Telematics enhances efficiency and uptime for seed research. (Image source: ALMACO)

ALMACO Telematics is a next-generation system delivering remote access to real-time machine data—boosting efficiency, performance, and uptime for seed research professionals

Available on both the R1 Single-Plot and R2 Twin-Plot Research Combines, it’s the only telematics offering integrated specifically for seed research, reinforcing ALMACO’s leadership in precision agtech.

With insights into numerous machine parameters, the platform provides deep visibility into settings, location, diagnostics, software, and performance. This empowers fleet managers and researchers to easily monitor and optimise machine use for peak operational output.

Maximising uptime through smart diagnostics

A key feature of ALMACO Telematics is its remote diagnostics and repair capability, protecting uptime and reducing disruptions. Over 30% of service issues can be resolved remotely, removing the need for a field technician and delivering cost-effective value.

Simplified software upgrades

The system enables remote software updates, ensuring machines stay up to date without site visits. This reduces downtime and maintenance costs while supporting continuous tech improvement.

Enhanced fleet oversight

From their desks, managers can track machine performance and advise operators to refine seed trial accuracy. Telematics interfaces can also be remotely customised to support the specific goals of different research operations, improving data precision and machine functionality.

A smart investment for research operations

By reducing field calls, improving uptime, and enhancing resale value, ALMACO Telematics offers a strong return on investment. With its real-time oversight and proactive maintenance tools, seed research professionals can operate with confidence and lower costs.

“The integration of ALMACO Telematics marks a significant step forward in precision seed research,” said Mat Titus, service director at ALMACO. “By offering real-time data access and remote diagnostics, we are enabling researchers to focus on what matters most—developing the next generation of seed innovations.”

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Crops

Vietnam Turns Industrial Waste into Fertiliser.

Agriculture

Vietnam is set to welcome a pioneering sustainable agriculture initiative, as Japanese biotech firm CHITOSE and Vietnamese environmental solutions company TA Vital join forces to transform industrial sludge into agricultural compost

This collaborative project marks a significant step toward Vietnam’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050, aligning with the nation’s broader environmental and circular economy ambitions.

The facility, under construction in the Prodezi Industrial Park—one of Vietnam’s first recognised eco-industrial zones—is expected to begin trial production by the end of 2025. During the initial phase, the compost produced will be used for landscaping purposes within the park itself, due to variability in sludge content sourced from multiple factories.

At the heart of this initiative is CHITOSE’s advanced composting technology, which employs an industrial-scale barrel system combined with a custom microbial blend. This enables the effective breakdown and detoxification of sludge materials, converting up to 80% into usable compost. Integrated AI monitoring tools track fermentation conditions in real time, optimising temperature, moisture, and microbial activity to ensure consistent quality.

A key innovation lies in the ability to tailor the nutrient content of the compost to meet the specific needs of crops—such as dragon fruit—enhancing yield and soil health. Although initial applications will focus on non-food plants, the long-term goal is to expand into food crop fertilisation by working directly with factories producing more consistent, organic waste streams.

Another future ambition is to shift from Japanese-sourced equipment to local production, helping reduce costs and expand deployment across Vietnam and potentially Southeast Asia.

By transforming waste into high-value agricultural input, this project stands as a practical model of the circular economy in action. It not only supports industrial sustainability but also holds promise for reducing chemical fertiliser use and improving soil resilience—two critical needs for climate-smart agriculture in the region.

As Vietnam continues to advance its green agenda, this sludge-upcycling venture represents a meaningful step toward a more regenerative and resource-efficient future.

New crop varieties have already been introduced, including drought‑ and disease‑resistant wheat.

This new partnership builds on previous efforts between the three companies to test and promote digital technologies that improve productivity.

Livestock

The future of marine resources.

Aquaculture

The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to ratify a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in promoting the Senate’s concurrence to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Signed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the BBNJ treaty addresses the conservation and equitable use of marine resources in high seas and other regions beyond exclusive national control.

Although Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President ratified the agreement in 2024-a year after its global adoption - the treaty still requires Senate concurrence before the Philippines can officially participate.

Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary emphasised the agreement's relevance for the Philippines, said, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.”

As a nation composed of over 7,000 islands and located near areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Philippines has a strong stake in the treaty’s success. It was an early signatory and active participant in the negotiation process, aligning with global conservation goals and the principles of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate stressed the strategic timing of the ratification: once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will be eligible to participate in the first Conference of Parties (COP1). This milestone event is expected to take place shortly after 60 countries submit their ratification instruments to the United Nations. As of late August, 55 nations have completed the process, with momentum building towards reaching the required threshold during the UN General Assembly from September 23–26.

The BBNJ treaty represents a critical tool for archipelagic nations like the Philippines—not only to influence global marine governance but also to safeguard marine ecosystems, promote fair benefit-sharing, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on ocean resources.

Automation is increasingly essential to manage labour shortages, enhance precision, and meet hygiene and welfare standards.

The event brought together over 300 industry experts. (Image credit: Sigenergy)

Equipment

A new front axle improves ride comfort and tightens the turning circle, while retaining the compact dimensions that define this range. (Image credit: New Holland)

Equipment

The latest New Holland T7 Standard Wheelbase (SWB) tractors bring impressive advancements to the 180-225hp segment, offering enhanced efficiency, smoother operation, and cutting-edge technology

A new front axle improves ride comfort and tightens the turning circle, while retaining the compact dimensions that define this range. Additionally, the T7 SWB tractors now sport the striking Dynamic Blue colour, which will feature across future New Holland models.

“We’ve completely reimagined the key design features of the T7 Standard Wheelbase tractor range,” said Manfred Pfleger, Global Product Manager at New Holland. “Significant upgrades include a new cab design, a new operator interface and armrest, and a more compact front end. These changes aim to boost productivity and performance while ensuring greater comfort and control.”

One notable achievement is the T7.225 with Dynamic Command transmission, which set a new benchmark at the German DLG test centre. It achieved best-in-class PowerMix fuel efficiency in its power class, using just 243g/kWh. The new front axle, available in both standard and heavy-duty versions, features dual accumulators for a faster, smoother response. It also reduces the turning circle by 17%, improving headland turns and making the tractor more manoeuvrable.

Despite having the same 2,789mm wheelbase as previous models, the new T7 SWB tractors can now handle a maximum permissible gross vehicle weight of 13.5t and a higher maximum payload of 5.5t, making them leaders in their segment. The sloping bonnet enhances forward visibility and houses the Stage V FPT NEF 6.7-litre engine, which boasts a 750-hour service interval. Fuel and AdBlue/DEF capacities have been increased to 350 litres and 48 litres, respectively. The NEF engine’s new power curve delivers maximum power at a lower engine speed, reducing both fuel consumption and noise.

The T7.180, T7.190, and T7.210 models can be specified with the new 3x1-range Auto Command CVT, while the T7.225 offers a choice between Dynamic Command and Auto Command transmissions. These new transmissions deliver improved performance, with the Dynamic Command providing 24F/24R speeds and the Auto Command offering a 55kph top speed.

For greater comfort and productivity, the T7 SWB tractors feature an upgraded operator interface, including a new SideWinder armrest, IntelliView 12 touchscreen display, and refined CommandGrip multifunction handle. The cabin is more spacious, with improved climate control, expanded storage, and better accessibility to hydraulic and electrical connections.

As standard, all models come with Connectivity Included, enabling data-driven efficiency and remote dealer support for updates and diagnostics.

UC7 Plus helps farmers and crop service providers lower inputs. (Image Credit:

This collaboration integrates their platforms, offering users the ability to monitor and track their assets. (Image credit: Razor Tracking)

Technology

Enhance Agricultural Resilience with Solar Energy.

Infrastructure

The SoLAR project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is entering its second phase, aiming to deepen agricultural resilience and climate transformation in smallholder farming

Launched by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the initiative runs from July 2025 to December 2029 and expands its geographical and thematic focus, now incorporating Ethiopia and Kenya, while continuing its work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Building on the success of its first phase (2019–2024), SoLAR looks to scale solar energy solutions for agriculture and position them as a replicable and scalable model for climate-resilient agriculture across the Global South.

In its first phase, SoLAR focused on generating evidence, piloting innovative financing models, and influencing policy to integrate solar-powered irrigation systems (SIPs). These solar pumps have proven effective in mitigating climate impacts by replacing diesel pumps and promoting sustainable groundwater usage. “Across the four South Asian countries, we have seen promising steps toward scaling solar irrigation sustainably and inclusively,” said Darshini Ravindranath, Project Lead and Research Group Leader at IWMI. The project has helped governments in Bangladesh and India integrate solar irrigation into national strategies, while in Nepal, it led to a significant policy shift, including revised subsidy criteria supporting women farmers and smallholders.

Key outcomes include the promotion of gender-sensitive policies, innovative financing such as micro-financing and grants, and the adoption of solar irrigation systems that reduce carbon emissions, conserve groundwater, and support high-value crops. IWMI’s work also extended to grid-connected solar irrigation in Nepal, enabling farmers to sell surplus energy, providing them with additional income streams while promoting responsible groundwater use.

In phase two, SoLAR will expand its reach to East Africa, focusing on scaling solar-powered solutions for irrigation, cooling, and processing. With Kenya and Ethiopia facing climate and energy challenges, the project sees solar technology as a transformative tool for boosting year-round agricultural production and enhancing food security. Muluken Elias Adamseged, Deputy Country Representative at IWMI in Ethiopia, remarked, “Scaling solar-powered irrigation, cooling, and processing can boost year-round production, cut losses and costs, and enhance food security.”

The second phase aims to drive an integrated approach with evidence-based policy design, accelerated funding for solar adoption, enhanced capacity building, and the establishment of Living Labs to test solar solutions in diverse settings. The program will directly benefit smallholder farmers in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ethiopia by improving water and energy security, reducing emissions, and enhancing resilience to climate risks, according to Philippe Sas, Head of Cooperation for SDC in India.

These technologies also make farming more accessible for younger generations.

Technologies can improve farming efficiency and strengthen the supply chain.

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Latest news

The future of marine resources.

Vietnam Turns Industrial Waste into Fertiliser.

A new front axle improves ride comfort and tightens the turning circle, while retaining the compact dimensions that define this range. (Image credit: New Holland)

New crop varieties have already been introduced, including drought‑ and disease‑resistant wheat.

UC7 Plus helps farmers and crop service providers lower inputs. (Image Credit:

This collaboration integrates their platforms, offering users the ability to monitor and track their assets. (Image credit: Razor Tracking)

This new partnership builds on previous efforts between the three companies to test and promote digital technologies that improve productivity.

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