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Value Line Steering system marks a significant step toward more sustainable, efficient, and profitable farming practices. (Image source: Topcon Agriculture)

Machinery & Equipment

Global leader in precision farming technology, Topcon Agriculture has announced the launch of its Value Line Steering solution, aimed at increasing accessibility of precision farming for small and medium-sized farming operations

Advanced autosteering capabilities will now be available to a wider range of farmers and provide an affordable and easy-to-use solution compatible with a broad variety of tractors, including front-wheel-steer models and those compliant with ISOBUS-UT standards. Its simple design allows users unfamiliar with high-tech farming equipment to quickly adopt the system.

Moreover, the Value Line Steering solution enables older tractors to operate at sub-5 cm accuracy levels previously reserved for new, high-end machinery.

"With diesel, fertiliser, and chemical costs all rising, it's more important than ever to maximise efficiency," said Aaron Freeman, a fourth-generation farmer from Koolunga, South Australia. "The Value Line Steering system saves resources, reduces overlap, and boosts profitability."

Rice constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories. (Image source:

Agriculture

Aiming to reduce GHG emissions in the rice industry, leading Asian retailer, DFI Retail Group has launched a low-carbon rice cultivation pilot programme in 2024 in Thailand

DFI seeks to promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and enhance environmental awareness among its supply chains. This innovative programme successfully produced 110,000kg of certified low-carbon rice in 2024, achieving a minimum 30% reduction in GHG emissions on the rice fields compared to conventional cultivation methods.

Rice constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories, accounting for approximately 6% of total Scope 3 emissions based on 2023 data. Traditional rice farming involves flooding fields for extended periods, which creates anaerobic conditions in the soil. This lack of oxygen allows microbes to release methane into the atmosphere, significantly impacting climate change.

In response, DFI collaborated with agricultural experts, the Thai government, and researchers to develop a low-carbon rice cultivation programme. The pilot programme partnered with 30 local farmers to implement sustainable farming techniques. These include:

  • Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): The programme uses an irrigation technique called AWD, reducing flooding to about 10 days. This approach not only conserves water, but also reduces methane emissions while maintaining production yields.
  • Straw burning prohibition: Farmers were provided support to eliminate open-field burning of rice straw, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution.
  • Soil and fertiliser management: Soil quality and fertiliser application were closely monitored, with guidance from agricultural experts. Soil samples were also analysed to optimise nutrient use and minimise nitrous oxide emissions.

"Beyond value and quality, we are committed to sustainability. This programme exemplifies our dedication to pursuing sustainable goals," said group chief Legal, Governance and Corporate Affairs officer, Erica Chan. "We wish to influence the industry, our stakeholders across the value chain to take collective action towards a sustainable future." 

 

The International Dealer Centre will again serve as the central meeting point for the international agricultural machinery trade at Agritechnica 2025. (Image source: Agritechnica)

Event News

This year's Agritechnica 2025 will bring in a range of new developments aimed at advancing steady digitalisation on farms

As the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, Agritechnica 2025 will take place from 9-15 November in Hanover, Germany, bringing together manufacturers, dealers, farmers, and industry experts from around the globe, fostering international exchange and networking. This year’s edition introduces new formats aimed at enhancing visibility and connections within the sector. Registered dealers can be listed on the official website and in the trade fair app, making them easily accessible to both customers and exhibitors.

Agricultural equipment dealers have limited ability to respond to external pressures such as deferred purchasing by farms, extreme weather events, and political uncertainty – though some are countering with attractive sales or financing offers. When it comes to digitalisation, which poses a direct and internal challenge for the trade, the situation looks different: Success increasingly depends on the expertise, technical know-how, and the quality of digital solutions and services offered by machinery dealers. 

"Agricultural equipment dealers are expected to integrate digital technologies into their portfolios and provide tailored solutions to farmers. But this is often easier said than done. The technologies involved are complex and require extensive consultation, while rapid innovation cycles in systems, machines, and software demand constant upskilling," says Ralph Königs, Business segment dealer manager, Agritechnica.

The International Dealer Centre will again serve as the central meeting point for the international agricultural machinery trade at Agritechnica 2025. Trade visitors can access an exclusive lounge for dealers, business partners, customers, and employees. Daily 'Pop-up Talk Dealer' sessions will feature international speakers, followed by informal networking opportunities. An on-site information counter will also be available to address questions on training and professional development in the sector. 

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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Rice constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories. (Image source:

Agriculture

Aiming to reduce GHG emissions in the rice industry, leading Asian retailer, DFI Retail Group has launched a low-carbon rice cultivation pilot programme in 2024 in Thailand

DFI seeks to promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and enhance environmental awareness among its supply chains. This innovative programme successfully produced 110,000kg of certified low-carbon rice in 2024, achieving a minimum 30% reduction in GHG emissions on the rice fields compared to conventional cultivation methods.

Rice constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories, accounting for approximately 6% of total Scope 3 emissions based on 2023 data. Traditional rice farming involves flooding fields for extended periods, which creates anaerobic conditions in the soil. This lack of oxygen allows microbes to release methane into the atmosphere, significantly impacting climate change.

In response, DFI collaborated with agricultural experts, the Thai government, and researchers to develop a low-carbon rice cultivation programme. The pilot programme partnered with 30 local farmers to implement sustainable farming techniques. These include:

  • Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): The programme uses an irrigation technique called AWD, reducing flooding to about 10 days. This approach not only conserves water, but also reduces methane emissions while maintaining production yields.
  • Straw burning prohibition: Farmers were provided support to eliminate open-field burning of rice straw, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution.
  • Soil and fertiliser management: Soil quality and fertiliser application were closely monitored, with guidance from agricultural experts. Soil samples were also analysed to optimise nutrient use and minimise nitrous oxide emissions.

"Beyond value and quality, we are committed to sustainability. This programme exemplifies our dedication to pursuing sustainable goals," said group chief Legal, Governance and Corporate Affairs officer, Erica Chan. "We wish to influence the industry, our stakeholders across the value chain to take collective action towards a sustainable future." 

 

The Minister emphasised the availability of suitable technology to produce high quality seeds. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative aims to boost palm oil yield and disease resistance. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Livestock

Thanks to WELTEC‘s customised design, biogas plants can also be operated in areas with high snowfall. (Image source: WELTEC)

Cattle

Following the installation of several agricultural plants in recent years, WELTEC BIOPOWER has now reported an order for a 450 kW plant from the agricultural sector as well as a 250 kW biogas plant in Yamagata Prefecture, with an additional WELTEC BLUE WATER treatment, which is currently being implemented

Thanks to its many years of project experience in earthquake zones – in Japan and Greece – WELTEC BIOPOWER is able to adapt its technical solutions to seismically active areas in the shortest possible time using special structural engineering. Yamagata Prefecture has two digesters available to feed 80 tons of cattle manure per day. This is used to exclusively generate electricity and heat in the 250 kW plant. 

WELTEC's scope of supply also includes two storage tanks, a pump container, a separation unit and the combined heat and power plant (CHP). In addition to the biogas project, a WELTEC BLUE WATER plant with a processing capacity of 50,000 tons of digestate (manure and wastewater from milk production) per year is currently being constructed. The treatment technology works by separating the digestate from the biogas plant in a multi-stage process into solid and liquid fertiliser and dischargeable water. The resulting solid phase offers a wide range of marketing options, which includes its use as fertiliser in the field or as bedding in stables. This enables the operator to make additional savings on transport costs by reducing the volume of the source material. 

Output material distribution varies depending on the amount of dry matter present within the fermentation residue which comprises around 3% solid fertiliser, 29% nutrient concentrate and 68% water. Moreover, the sophisticated modular design of the industrial technology allows an ease in future expansion. 

Everyday, operators of the plant fill it with 18 tons of cattle manure, along with food waste from nearby areas. The modular digester system from WELTEC makes it possible to individually adapt the diameter and height to meet customers‘ volume requirements or local building regulations, such as height restrictions. The fermentation residue from the 450 kW plant is processed in sewage treatment plants near the sites before being used as fertiliser. A further plant is currently being planned in Nagano Prefecture. The height of the digester is also adapted as a special solution to 5.03 m and equipped with a capacity of 450 kW.  Another plant is currently being planned in Nagano Prefecture.

The WELTEC CONTROL software allows Japanese operators to get quick access to a number of important system parameters, with its intuitive user interface also simplifying feeding processes. 

 

 

 

Plukon has worked on minimising false rejections and ensuring the highest levels of metal detection by implementing Mitus from Minebea Intec. (Image source: Minebea Intec)

Paragon commits to supply of high-quality Hubbard Premium PS day-old chicks to meet the growing demand for Premium birds in Bangladesh. (Image source: Hubbard))

Equipment

Monarch MK-V tractor demonstrating V2G through Borg Warner DCFC and Gridtractor CMS. (Image source: Gridtractor)

Equipment

Gridtractor, Monarch Tractor, and Borg Warner have achieved a significant milestone by successfully demonstrating Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities utilising a Monarch MK-V tractor, a Borg Warner 60 kW DC fast charger, and Gridtractor’s cloud-based charge management system employing the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 

The platform is slated for launch later this year and focuses on both domestic and international markets. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The LightWeeder is an agri-robot that can kill weeds using a unique concentrated light method. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Technology

Illustration showing how the sponge nanocomposite material recovers phosphate and metals from water. (Image source: Kelly Matuszewski, Northwestern University)

Water & Irrigation

Researchers have created a functional sponge that is capable of efficiently soaking up certain pollutants from water and then releasing them on demand

Industrial manufacturing and agriculture, in particular, experience mineral and fertiliser loss due to runoff, leaving valuable non-renewable resources as pollutants in bodies of water. Those resources include heavy metals like zinc and copper and also phosphate. 

The innovation presents a reusable and low-cost solution for cleaning storm runoff while simultaneously recovering valuable metals like zinc and copper, as well as phosphate. Using surface iron oxide nanoparticles specialised for capturing specific contaminants, the sponge collects the minerals and then discharges them only when triggered by changes in pH. These findings were achieved by researchers at Northwestern University and published in the American Chemical Society's journal Environmental Science and Technology Water.

Doctoral student and first author on the paper, Kelly Matuszewski believes it is important to understand the interaction between these minerals and utilise them, rather than finding ways to discard them. Through her research she discovered that lowering water pH flushed out the captured copper and zinc from the sponge, while raising water pH loosened the phosphates.

In an attempt to commercialise the sponge-based technology, Vinayak Dravid, co-author and Northwestern professor of materials science and engineering has co-founded a startup with additional NSF support through the Small Business Innovation Research programme, which will further develop the material for real-life scenarios.

"The technology can be used as a universal sorbent or 'catch-all,' or it can be tailored to certain groups of contaminants like metals, plastics or nutrients," said Dravid. In their future research, the team plans to account for biofilms, clogging or water flow dynamics on the sponge's performance, while also testing the maximum mineral levels the sponge can absorb.

 

Smart greenhouses utilise sensors responsible for heat control to modify in-house conditions based on the indoor climate. (Image source: Adobe Stock))

Moisture control is a key factor in ensuring the final feed is palatable, retains its nutrients, and is consistent. (Image source: Hydronix))

Most Read

The platform is slated for launch later this year and focuses on both domestic and international markets. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The new solutions aim to help growers maximise crop production and optimize their use of resources, thus minimising the impact on the environment. (Image source: Bayer)

IAT Inks MoU with Aspekpir Indonesia to Enhance Quality Analysis for the Local Palm Oil Industry. (Image source: IAT)

With ease of use being the main focus, this advancement ensures that smart lighting strategies are intuitive and accessible for growers at every level. (Image source: Heliospectra)

Water hyacinth infestations in rural ponds disrupt ecosystems, harm fisheries, and block canals. (Image source: ICRISAT)

Monarch MK-V tractor demonstrating V2G through Borg Warner DCFC and Gridtractor CMS. (Image source: Gridtractor)

Body AI Score is a camera-based system. (Image source: SCHAUER Agrotronic)

Latest news

Illustration showing how the sponge nanocomposite material recovers phosphate and metals from water. (Image source: Kelly Matuszewski, Northwestern University)

Smart greenhouses utilise sensors responsible for heat control to modify in-house conditions based on the indoor climate. (Image source: Adobe Stock))

Moisture control is a key factor in ensuring the final feed is palatable, retains its nutrients, and is consistent. (Image source: Hydronix))

The project is designed to validate wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis as a rapid and affordable approach to drug development. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Value Line Steering system marks a significant step toward more sustainable, efficient, and profitable farming practices. (Image source: Topcon Agriculture)

Rice constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories. (Image source:

The Minister emphasised the availability of suitable technology to produce high quality seeds. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

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