The new product weighs dumplings mainly into 400g packs but is able to handle a large variety of pack weights. (Image source: Ishida)

Wierzejki, one of Poland’s largest meat manufacturers has installed a new Ishida multihead weigher, significantly improving the line throughputs

This has been achieved when packing the company’s new range of dumplings, with the investment resulting in a payback of approximately 18 months. Previously a laborious and time-consuming hand packing operation that required six people to achieve the 1.2 tonnes of dumplings to be packed every hour, the Ishida CCW-RVE-214W-1S-30-WP has considerably reduced overall losses from 5% to less that 2% per pack. 

The new product weighs dumplings mainly into 400g packs but is able to handle a large variety of pack weights, including multiple weighments into the same pack for very large foodservice packs, using the 'multi-dump' mode. This gives Wierzejki the flexibility to respond quickly to market and customer demands. Equally important, the consistency of pack weights that the Ishida weigher delivers helps to enhance the consumer experience to support Wierzejki’s premium brand image.

Featuring a patented Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technology, the Ishida RVE model provides greater control of the infeed of product at the top of the weigher and during transfer to the hoppers. By being able to automatically vary both the amplitude and duration of vibration, the vibratory feeders deliver a controlled and consistent flow of product in order to maintain speed and efficiencies while virtually eliminating overfill in the hoppers. Embossed surfaces facilitate a smooth product flow throughout the weigher. A special distribution system beneath the Ishida weigher provides a fast and efficient transfer of dumplings into the thermoforming machine.

Thanks to its intuitive touch screen operation, the Ishida multihead which is in operation for 12 hours each day requires only one operator to supervise the line, with set up and changeovers being easy to undertake. Moreover, the weigher’s modular design allows easy removal and replacement of contact parts for a fast and thorough daily clean down.

This is the second Ishida multihead weigher to be installed at Wierzejki and like the first, which Wierzejki reports has been working perfectly for over two years, the new model has proved extremely reliable. The weigher was installed by Ishida’s long term local partner in Poland, Fenix Systems, with the installation being completed in under two days. Fenix also hosted a a one-day workshop to help operators familiarise themselves with the machine, as well as providing ongoing remote technical support.

“Precision is everything in our business and this was the driving force behind our investment in the Ishida solution,” said Adam Zdanowski from Wierzejki. “Our new Ishida weigher has given us increased accuracy and efficiency, and no downtime, together with excellent service and support, all of which are delivering significant improvements to the bottom line.” 

RegenIQ offers a standardised approach to assess the impact of field-level regenerative agriculture efforts, enabling food and beverage companies, agronomists, and growers to meet ESG goals and Scope 3 requirements. (Image source: Agmatix)

Leading agricultural data and AI-powered technology company, Agmatix announced the launch of RegenIQ at the Regenerative Agriculture Summit in Europe

Designed to drive the adoption of regenerative agriculture, RegenIQ offers a structured approach to assessing the impact of field-level efforts, supporting both environmental health and productivity. By connecting agrifood companies to real-time field-level activities, RegenIQ enables them to tailor regenerative practices to specific crops and conditions through a standardised, data-driven approach. Moreover, the approach also addresses one of the most pressing challenges: the lack of a consistent and acceptable measurement system at scale. Companies can therefore, confidently track and achieve their ESG goals and Scope 3 requirements by actively working with growers at scale.

RegenIQ offers a scalable and adaptable approach to assessing the impact of local practices on environmental outcomes and crop yields across four key areas including soil health, water, biodiversity and climate. By integrating remote sensing data with ground-truth data from Agmatix’s Sustainability Solutions, RegenIQ ensures adaptability to any crop and location, providing comprehensive assessments across key impact areas including soil health, water, biodiversity and climate. 

“In an industry where profit margins are tight, growers are understandably cautious about investing in farming techniques that don't guarantee strong returns," said CEO of Agmatix, Ron Baruchi. "RegenIQ addresses this concern by focusing on efficient resource use and financial viability, helping to derisk investment decisions. It provides essential data for food and beverage companies, agronomists, and growers to evaluate the viability and potential impact of regenerative practices on their operations. From smallholder farms to large commercial operations, RegenIQ helps make fields more productive while minimising environmental impacts and ensuring a more resilient supply chain.”

Staff can monitor soil temperature and humidity as well as pest and disease conditions in real-time through computers or smartphones, greatly improving the comprehensive agricultural production capacity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

According to a recent report from Weihai Daily, the local media's visit to the Xinyuan Modern Apple Planting Demonstration Base in East China's Weihai city has revealed the continuous advancement of modern technology in the city's apple industry

An orchard featured with various technologies including integrated water and fertiliser irrigation facilities, online environment monitoring systems, visual management systems and big data management centres enables staff to monitor soil temperature and humidity as well as pest and disease conditions in real-time through computers or smartphones, greatly improving the comprehensive agricultural production capacity.

The base's 80 mu of apple orchards are planted with 20 apple varieties and these apples are about to enter the peak production period, said Qu Jiashuai, the person in charge of the base adding that all apple yields per mu can reach 4,000-5,000 Kg, which comprises twice the yield of traditional orchards. Self-propelled picking platforms have also significantly improved the picking efficiency, allowing 500 Kg of apples to be picked by a single person per day. 

The apple production technology and innovation centre at the orchid which was set up by the local authorities last year, not only serves as a highland of technology but also as a cradle for talent cultivation. Discussions, internships and training activities related to the apple industry have also been organised throughout the city. Moreover, experimental research has also been conducted, injecting new vitality into the high-quality development of the industry.

Pöttinger has introduced numerous interesting and innovative new products and features. (Image source: Pöttinger)

From ploughs to power harrows, flat cultivators and seed drills, Pöttinger has presented many interesting and innovative new products and features

1. PLANO VT 6060: The new PLANO VT 6060 trailed stubble cultivator has a working width of 6 metres and 6 rows of tines. During development, great importance was attached to shallow and all-over cutting, making the cultivator the specialist for conserving groundwater, preventing erosion, mechanically suppressing weeds and tillage for catch crops. With a working depth of up to 15 cm, it is perfectly equipped for a wide range of tasks, including precision for shallow, all-over cutting.

2. AEROSEM VT with Profiline control system: The trailed pneumatic seed drill combinations AEROSEM VT 5000 DD and AEROSEM VT 6000 DD with working widths of 5.0 m and 6.0 m respectively are now equipped with the Profiline comfort control system to make them as versatile as the range of applications they handle in the field. Profiline is the comfort control system that covers all the hydraulic functions of the AEROSEM VT.

3. AEROSEM FDD: This unique seed drill concept from Pöttinger teams up high output with versatility. It features the new coulter rail, 15 cm row spacing on seed drill with pressurised front hopper. Perfect placement of the seed is always the most important factor, and on this machine it is guaranteed by a precision universal metering system and ingenious DUAL DISC coulters. The front hopper also offers the capability of sowing two different components together at the same time.

4. New SERVO 2000: The SERVO 2000 ploughs are available with 3 to 4 furrows, as well as various underbeam clearances and point-to-point spacings. The lightweight compact hitch-mounted reversible ploughs now round off the range for compact tractors up to 130 hp. The design of these new ploughs stays true to that of the larger series, the SERVO 3000 and SERVO 4000, adapted to the power requirements. In addition, the SERVO 2000 N features the well-known NOVA hydraulic stone protection. The standard plough is fitted with mechanical stone protection and hydraulic furrow width adjustment.

5. SERVO 4000: These ploughs are now equipped with on-land ploughing options that are being given an additional equipment package for even more operating versatility. The on-land beam link allows travel not only in the furrow, but over unploughed land too. 

6. New FOX 3000 D compact combination: Pöttinger has upgraded its compact combinations so they are even easier to pull and save more fuel. The FOX 3000 D has a neater configuration and the narrow, yet strong headstock improves the view of the machine from the tractor cab. The new hydraulic depth adjustment system is available as an option to enhance operating convenience. Combined with a Pöttinger seed drill, this implement becomes a cost-effective sowing combination.

7. New LION V 6040: This power harrow range featuring the folding LION V series is designed for tractors up to 320 hp. What's new is that Pöttinger - the arable farming specialist – is expanding the series up to a working width of 6.0 m. The speed of the rotors can be matched to the site-specific conditions.