On the show floor, New Holland will have more than 15 pieces of equipment, from combines to high-horsepower tractors to round balers. (Image source: CNH)

New Holland Agriculture North America will debut a range of new equipment and technology offerings at the upcoming 2024 Farm Progress Show taking place from 27-29 August scheduled to take place in Boone, Iowa

From combines to high-horsepower tractors to round balers, the show will display more than 15 pieces of equipment from New Holland. For the first time in North America, the company will also unveil equipment and technology launches from across five product categories, including a new Class 9 CR combine, a new telehandler series, upgrades to the T7 tractor line, an all-new Forage Cruiser harvester and a suite of precision and digital technologies that are elevating the New Holland technology stack. 

Additionally, New Holland will participate in the havesting demos organised by the Farm progress Show, during which the company will be running in tandem its new CR11 combine, one of the industry’s biggest and most productive combines, and Grain Cart Automation, a sophisticated system that synchronises combine and grain cart movements to ensure a streamlined activity while combining and unloading simultaneously on the go. 

A notable autonomous technology company on display for show attendees is Bluewhite. In June 2024, this company which enables AI-driven autonomous farming, announced its entry into a multi-phase partnership to collaborate on the distribution, manufacturing and integration of Bluewhite’s autonomous solutions for New Holland tractors. The company will offer a window into its technology's potential  and in the future for livestock and row crop applications. 

Metal detector Vistus with conveyor is designed for demanding environments and continuous use. (Image source: Minebea Intec)

Leading manufacturer of industrial weighing and inspection technologies, Minebea Intec will be showcasing a wide range of products at ProPak Indonesia 2024, ranging from entry-level products to premium solutions, specifically tailored to the needs of the packaging industry

With foreign object detection being a major concern in the packaging industry, Minebea Intec is delighted to display its advanced metal detector Vistus at the event. With its user-friendly interface, the device ensures maximum product safety through its high sensitivity, precision, and seamless integration into existing production lines, thereby minimising false rejections. This makes the product an indispensable solution for efficient quality assurance in the packaging industry.

Specifically developed for bulk material applications, the Vistus technology which stands out with its modular design enables seamless integration into existing production facilities, while also allowing reliable detection of metallic contaminants in free-falling products, such as powders or granules, prior to being processed or packaged. Moreover, the device has an automatic reject flap that safely removes contaminated from the production process without interrupting material flow, thus making the free-fall system Vistus an indispensable component for manufacturers striving to achieve the highest standards in product safety.

The WMC6 checkweigher is one among the many highlights at ProPak Indonesia 2024. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries, the device fully complies with international regulatory stndards including GLP, GMP and many others, making it a trusted choice for ensuring product quality and consistency. This device is particularly ideal for dynamic production environments where speed and accuracy are paramount. Moreover, it also offers exceptional precision, making it suitable for numerous checkweighing applications. 

The WMC6 also meets international hygiene standards. The fact that it is easy to clean, makes it particularly suitable for use in industries where cleanliness is crucial, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals. The 10-inch color touch screen and industrial PC enhance the reliability of the production process, providing real-time product status charts that allow operators to respond intuitively to production dynamics. Additionally, the online help system makes the WMC6 user-friendly and easy to operate.

"A particular highlight at our booth will be the versatile Midrics weighing platform with load capacities ranging from 3 kg to 3 t, available in durable stainless steel," said sales director of South East Asia, Kevin Yiu. "The scale is equipped with the reliable weighing indicator Midrics and optionally offers a battery-operated mode for increased flexibility."

Weighing platforms, as offered by Minebea Intec also ensure product quality, reduce material waste and help comply with regulatory requirements. Additionally, Minebea Intec's product range includes load cells, vessel and silo scales, state-of-the-art X-ray and visual inspection systems, as well as automatic pricing systems. Starting from initial consultation to planning and commissioning, the company not only offers high-quality weighing and inspection solutions, but also supports customers throughout the entire project planning process. 

ProPak Indonesia will take place from 4-6 September at the Jakarta International Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Fully automated cherry truss tomato harvesting robot 'Artemy.' (Image source: DENSO)

DENSO CORPORATION and its group company, Certhon Build BV have designed an innovative robot that can perform a series of cherry truss tomato harvesting tasks in a fully automatic manner

The fully automated cherry truss tomato harvesting robot, Artemy can perform a series of cherry truss tomato harvesting tasks:

• Automatic Harvesting Function: It automatically runs on a running lane and uses AI to determine the ripeness of cherry truss tomatoes. Only ripe tomatoes are selected, and cherry truss tomato peduncles are cut using scissors attached to the top of the harvesting robot arm and stored in the loaded crates.
• Automatic Lane Change Function: Artemy uses sensing technology to recognise obstacles in the path and the running lane to which it is traveling so it can move safely and accurately to adjacent running lanes even in trackless environment. 
• Automatic Crates Replacement: Artemy automatically replaces a full crate.
• Automatic Crates Transfer: When all six crates are loaded, Artemy automatically moves to the trolley where the empty crates are placed and replaces all the crates at once. 

Since Artemy has replaceable batteries, it can run for longer periods without down time for charging. It is also equipped with a cluster and a peduncle detection LED to achieve a highly accurate harvest under direct sunlight during the day and under supplemental lighting during the night. These functions enable continuous operation throughout the day and night, helping increase operational efficiency, address potential labour shortages and significantly reduce heavy work for farmers.

“DENSO's expertise in mobility and manufacturing, encompassing image recognition, safe driving, and robotics, is integrated into all of Artemy's operations, from the automatic harvesting of cherry truss tomato to the automatic lane changes," said DENSO's senior executive officer in charge of the Food Value Chain Business Development Division, Hidehiro Yokoo. "Going forward, DENSO will continue to combine its technology with Certhon's cultivation know-how and horticulture technology to achieve the stable production that DENSO and Certhon aim for worldwide, making it possible for ‘Growing anything, anywhere. For everyone.'”

The focus on ventilation, structural integrity, and ease of handling reflects a dedication to humane treatment and high-quality outcomes. (Image source: Walker Poultry Trailers)

Leading provider of specialised transport solutions for the poultry industry, Walker Poultry Trailers, highlights the critical role that well-designed poultry trailers play in ensuring animal welfare during transport

Founder of Walker Poultry Trailers, Dwayne Walker emphasises the significance of using advanced poultry live haul trailers to maintain high standards of animal welfare. Properly designed poultry trailers are essential in minimising stress and ensuring the humane treatment of birds throughout the journey.

A number of factors including ventilation, structural integrity and stability and easy loading and unloading are all key features that promote animal welfare. Firstly, adequate ventilation is crucial for maintaining proper airflow within the trailer. This helps prevent heat stress and suffocation, especially in warm climates. Secondly, the design of poultry trailers must ensure the structural integrity and stability of the transport units. This includes sturdy construction, appropriate spacing, and secure enclosures to prevent injury and overcrowding. Thirdly, trailers with well-designed ramps, adjustable heights, and non-slip surfaces facilitate the safe movement of birds.

The use of specialised poultry trailers offers several benefits to poultry companies, particularly in terms of animal welfare and operational efficiency. Dwayne Walker notes that the primary goal is to ensure that birds arrive at their destination in good condition, which directly impacts the quality of the end product. 

By providing a stable and controlled environment, poultry trailers help reduce mortality rates during transport. This not only supports animal welfare but also minimises financial losses associated with bird fatalities. Maintaining optimal conditions during transport helps preserve the health and quality of the birds. This is crucial for poultry companies aiming to deliver high-quality products to the market. The use of advanced poultry trailers aligns with industry regulations and animal welfare standards, which is increasingly important as consumers and regulatory bodies demand higher standards of animal care. Efficient loading and unloading processes, coupled with reduced stress on birds, streamline operations and improve overall efficiency.

The focus on ventilation, structural integrity, and ease of handling reflects a dedication to humane treatment and high-quality outcomes. In conclusion, the role of poultry trailers in ensuring animal welfare during transport cannot be overstated. The right equipment not only safeguards the well-being of birds but also enhances the efficiency and reputation of poultry companies.