Origin Digital, an agriculture technology company and Aspia Space, an advanced satellite imagery provider have announced ‘ClearSky’, a world-first service with an aim to revolutionise the way satellite imagery is used in precision agriculture by farmers around the world

LEMKEN, a specialist for arable farming, will invest US$20.41mn in a new machinery plant to be built in Dinteloord (North Brabant)

This new plant will also be connected to the Nieuw Prinsenland Agro Food Cluster as an additional benefit. The factory is scheduled to open its doors at the end of 2023 and will employ at least 30 additional members of staff.

In 2018, the agricultural technology company added hoeing technology, a promising field for the future, to its product range for professional arable farming. Since then, Steketee, the Dutch machine factory that LEMKEN acquired for this purpose, has grown rapidly, benefiting from the global shift towards mechanical, camera-controlled weed control. 

LEMKEN’s managing director Anthony van der Ley said, “The world around us is changing fast. That’s why everybody involved in the production chain needs to work together to ensure sustainability in food production. Primary agriculture in particular plays a pioneering role here. New technologies open up a wide range of possibilities. For example, by switching to smart mechanical weed control, we can apply crop care products more precisely and gradually reduce their use. That’s why we have been going full steam ahead with the development, production and sales of Steketee machines since 2018.” Van der Ley added that the company’s ambitions go beyond a simple expansion and modernisation: “We want to invest significantly more in product development to build on Steketee’s position as an innovator, for example with the use of artificial intelligence.”

“We are very pleased that we have found a location nearby, so that all our employees can transfer to their new workplace without difficulty. The attractive environment is also important for further recruiting requirements. In addition, we will combine the creative design of the new building with the opportunity to establish ourselves as an experienced and innovative partner for other companies, for universities and colleges, and to offer a springboard for students or start-ups,” said  Nicola Lemken, LEMKEN's member of the management board.

Iljan Schouten, managing director of Steketee, is excited about the company's future prospects, “Just three years after our takeover of Steketee, we are now taking a big step forward. I'm very proud that LEMKEN trusts the Steketee brand and our team of young talents and experienced employees. We place great value on new technologies in both our factory and our end products. We want to create not only a state-of-the-art production facility, but also a development centre and an AgroForum as a source of inspiration and knowledge for our national and international customers.”

Kacific, a satellite operator providing high-speed broadband internet service for the South East Asia and Pacific Islands regions and Farmer Charlie, an enabler of connectivity, data and agribusiness to remote smallholder farmers globally, have partnered to grow agricultural output and support sustainable development across South East Asia and the Pacific

LEMKEN, a company specialising in product development , production and sale of agricultural machinery, has recently announced the development of the ‘Carbon Farming Plough’ concept in collaboration with the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF)

New Holland has announced the launch of the F50C rough terrain forklift, adding a new product to its line-up of light construction equipment

The F50C has been designed for use in specialty crop operations such as vineyards, orchards and other fruit and vegetable applications, and features unique specifications, including an automatic load control system and integrated bin clamp.

“With the introduction of the F50C, we’re growing our portfolio with a relevant product that is designed for the specialty applications, for which New Holland is known,” said Tyler Mills, director of New Holland Construction. “Our dealers and customers know and trust that New Holland keeps fruit and vegetable producers at the forefront of our design and engineering, and we are excited to enter this new market.”

The company has designed the F50C with a suite of features organised around two main objectives – ease of operation and overall efficiency. 

Improved operating experience 

The F50C is equipped with an automatic load control system for rough terrain forklifts. This feature provides on-the-go mast cushioning to stabilise the mast under load, allowing operators to work efficiently and safely over any terrain without fear of material loss. A key by-product of load control provides a more comfortable operating experience by reducing shock from the mast. The additional stability while transporting and loading materials will help operators, as New Holland will offer a 12-foot mast with a 5,000-lb lift capacity as standard.

It also offers an integrated hydraulic produce bin clamp which allows the operator to carry multiple produce bins safely in a single pass.

“By implementing these options, it gives an operator more control and efficiency for any job they are managing, regardless of location,” Mills added. “Productivity-enhancing features are especially valuable when harvesting time-sensitive crops and we expect the F50C to be right at home in orchards and vineyards.” 

Fuel and maintenance efficiency 

New Holland has partnered with FPT Industrial again to power the F50C with the proven F34 3.4-litre diesel engine. Delivering 74 HP without using DEF or diesel particulate filters (DPF), the F34 is a workhorse engine with 600-hour service intervals and regeneration. Together, this engine and after-treatment system package ensures operators can work uninterrupted, save time and resources on routine maintenance, while retaining the power needed to lift and haul materials as expected.

Keeping in mind the variable terrain in specialty operations, New Holland has included 4WD, a 4x4 power shuttle transmission and differential lock standard on all F50C forklifts. These features, plus its 10-inch ground clearance, high-clearance counterweight, LED lighting package and crop shields all help operators navigate varying terrain and protect valuable crops with ease.

“We wanted to simplify the maintenance required for the F50C, and we did just that. Our goal is to keep it running to reduce shop time and downtime spent on maintenance,” Mills said.

The F50C rough terrain forklift will make its public debut at the 2022 World Ag Expo, February 8-10, 2022, in Tulare, California. It will be on display in the New Holland booth in the South Exhibits at the International Agri-Center.