Technology

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.

AF10 Combine (Image source: CNH)

Case IH is launching the new AF9 and AF10 combines, redesigned to maximise capacity and crop flow with efficient horsepower, simplified maintenance and built-in connectivity at base

Launched in early 2024, with the AF11–a Class 10+, high-capacity powerhouse, the single-rotor AF9 and AF10 combines complete the new AF series. Featuring three models across Class 9 and 10+, the revolutionary combine series helps farmers cover more acres in less time with power, efficiency and throughput.

The AF9’s 634 horsepower and the AF10’s 775 horsepower provides the power to maximise crop flow while increasing speeds, taxing the machines less. Built upon the legacy of Axial-Flow single-rotor technology, the AFXL rotor of the AF9 and AF10 is 40% longer than the 260 series, offering increased throughput. Grain handling capacity is maximised and matched from header to spreader to harvest more with every engine hour. 

The AF series offers a full suite of precision technology, including dual Pro 1200 displays, Harvest Command combine automation and RowGuide Pro technologies. Additionally, the introduction of Connectivity Included leverages subscription-free connectivity, feeding yield and machine data directly to Case IH FieldOps—providing farmers with a comprehensive management solution across their entire operation. These features are purposefully designed to create a customer experience that delivers peace of mind through a simplified harvest season. 

Case IH is also offering a corn head series that pairs with the AF series and late model Axial-Flow combines for the ultimate harvesting package. The C500 series corn head ensures peak productivity with independent drive lines for row unit and chopper drives. The series offers options to meet nearly any grower’s needs, including sizes from eight to 18 rows, chopping and non-chopping options, and narrow or standard-row configurations that boost grain savings and performance with clean and fast picking, even in downed corn. 

The Case IH harvesting lineup will be on dislay at the 2024 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Oowa. 

Another popular Case IH product: the Axial-Flow 260 series combines will be available for ordering in June 2024 and delivery in early 2025.

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.