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Monarch Tractor leads V2G revolution in agriculture

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

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) 

This collaborative effort, supported by a US$3mn grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) aimed at advancing "Vehicle to Building" technology, showcased the pioneering deployment of V2G capabilities from the Monarch MK-V tractor, which operates entirely on electricity, at PG&E’s Applied Technology Services (ATS) center in San Ramon, California.

The demonstration represents the culmination of extensive technology development, particularly in achieving high-power export capabilities from the Monarch MK-V tractor and integrating it seamlessly with Gridtractor’s open-standards charge management system and Borg Warner’s 60 kW DC Fast Charger. The MK-V tractor, designed as a versatile 3-in-1 electrification tool, functions not only as a tractor and utility vehicle but also as a potent electric generator, enabling the demonstration of high-capacity energy exports.

Once this integrated system becomes commercially available, owners of the MK-V tractor will have the opportunity to optimise charging costs and generate revenue by participating in various dynamic rate and demand response programs, complementing the already significant fuel savings achieved through electric vehicle (EV) operations. Gridtractor’s energy market integrations and load scheduling applications will play a crucial role in facilitating these opportunities.

Moreover, the system will support "automated load management," allowing for the efficient coordination of charging and discharging activities with other on-site loads. This capability will be particularly beneficial for facilities such as irrigation pump sites and wineries, where maximising the utilisation of existing electrical services without exceeding capacity is essential. With its flexible, scalable Internet of Things (IoT) architecture and seamless market integrations, Gridtractor’s platform, built on native OCPP principles, promises to connect any energy market or program with any Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) application.

The attractiveness of electrifying MK-V tractor fleets will be further enhanced by a range of incentives and grants, combined with anticipated bill savings resulting from recently approved dynamic rate programs. Agricultural customers stand to benefit significantly from these initiatives, not only improving the return on investment (ROI) of their fleet electrification efforts but also contributing to the overall reliability of the grid in their respective communities.

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The company's anniversary year 2025 brings numerous activities, retrospectives and special anniversary offers. (Image source: Pöttinger)

Agriculture

It has been 50 years since Pöttinger Landtechnik GmbH’s entry into the arable farming technology market

The family-owned company based in Grieskirchen, Upper Austria, has been delivering impressive results based on solid expertise in grassland, digital agriculture, tillage, and seed drill technologies. 

Pöttinger  has launched numerous exciting innovations, such as the new SERVO generation of trend-setting ploughs (1988), the particularly rugged LION power harrows (1991) and the SYNKRO linkage-mounted stubble cultivator. More innovative new products followed in recent years, such as the TERRADISC compact disc harrow (2003) and the new generation of TERRASEM mulch seed drills (2004), which set new standards in tillage and sowing technology. Several new innovations also joined the Pöttinger product range during the 2020-2024 period. 

The company's anniversary year 2025 brings numerous activities, retrospectives and special anniversary offers on arable farming equipment, crop care machines, grassland implements, and digital agricultural technology.

Horizontal nozzle-pressurised spinning could be a huge boost to the global dairy farming industry. (Image source: UCL)

Cattle

Researchers have developed a new technique to extract tiny cellulose strands from cow dung and turn them into manufacturing-grade cellulose

A study published in The Journal of Cleaner Production, describes the potential of a new ‘pressurised spinning’ innovation that uses cow dung as a raw material to create cellulose materials more cheaply and cleanly than some current manufacturing methods. Cellulose is one of the world’s most commonly used manufacturing materials, and can be found in everything from cling film to surgical masks, paper products, textiles, foods and pharmaceuticals.  

Professor Edirisinghe, the senior author of the study, considered the possibility of extracting tiny fragments of cellulose present in cow manure and turning it into manufacturing-grade cellulose materials. He first used mild chemical reactions and homogenisation, which was successful in fragment extraction. However, the use of pressurised spinning technology to turn these fragments into fibres failed. 

However, upon trial and error, a new technique called horizontal nozzle-pressurised spinning, proved successful. This is an energy efficient process that doesn’t require the high voltages of other fibre production techniques such as electrospinning. This advancement is a prime example of circular economy and is the first time that manufacturing-grade cellulose has been derived from animal waste

Horizontal nozzle-pressurised spinning could be a huge boost to the global dairy farming industry, given the fact that animal waste management continues to be a growing problem globally. The research team is currently seeking opportunities to work with dairy farmers to take advantage of the technology and scale it up.

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) 

Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. (Image source: Biobest)

Machinery & Equipment

The Entomatic automated dispenser stands as a game changer for spider mite control, ensuring precise and uniform Phytoseiulus distribution across crops

Phytoseiulus persimilis, a specialised predatory mite, feeds exclusively on spider mites and is an essential and well-established component of biocontrol programmes. Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. It has been widely adopted in high-tech protected vegetable crops, such as tomatoes, sweet peppers and cucumbers, as well as cut flowers and open-field strawberry production.

Beyond Phytoseiulus-System, Entomatic efficiently distributes other predatory mites, most beneficial insects, and Artemac supplementary predator feed in tomatoes. Its user-friendly, modular design allows for easy configuration across different glasshouse setups, whether mounted on existing carts, tractors, robotic sprayers, or custom driving platforms.

Sam Gui, market development manager for High Tech IPM at Biobest explained how Entomatic maximises effectiveness by smoothly and precisely releasing Phytoseiulus-System, at a controlled rate, over the head of the plants. “Aside from the increased precision, due to automatisation, Entomatic can significantly cut labour costs. Depending on the Entomatic model, we’ve seen labour costs for beneficial mite introduction cut by up to 90%.”

 

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