Technology

The range is purpose-built for mixed farming operations. (Image source: New Holland)

Farmers are required to attend multiple tasks of varied nature throughout the day, which can get challenging without technical support

Keeping this in mind, New Holland has designed the T7 Standard Wheelbase tractor range, which can be used across operations from loader work and livestock activities to hay production, transport or paddock applications. 

Purpose-built for mixed farming operations, these compact-dimensioned tractors are versatile enough to suit everyday farm tasks even when maintaining the performance, comfort and technology that are usually offered by large-scale vehicles.

"Mixed farming businesses need tractors that can handle a range of jobs across the day," said Seamus McCarthy, New Holland's product manager.

"The new T7 Standard Wheelbase delivers more lifting capacity, greater carrying capacity and a tighter turning circle, giving operators more flexibility without sacrificing manoeuvrability." 

The T7 Standard Wheelbase is a refurbished range with a new front axle and front-end architecture, reducing the turning circle by 20 per cent compared with the previous generation. This is a marked improvement of manoeuvrability in yards, sheds, feedlots and headlands, allowing flexibility in confined spaces and around the farm.

New Holland has deployed for the range its latest transmission technology, including the new three-range Auto Command CVT, delivering up to 10 per cent greater operating efficiency. The Dynamic Command transmission, on the other hand, is designed to optimise power transfer and productivity across a range of applications.

Operating capacity has increased significantly, with maximum permissible gross vehicle mass rising 17 per cent to 13,500kg and rear linkage lift capacity increasing 20 per cent to 7,450kg at 610mm behind the ball ends. The upgraded platform also delivers a payload capacity of 5.5 tonnes, providing greater flexibility when handling larger implements and heavier loads.

"We've increased both the lifting and carrying capability of the machine, while maintaining the compact dimensions and manoeuvrability that have made the Standard Wheelbase platform so popular," McCarthy said.

"That gives operators more flexibility across a broader range of jobs without sacrificing ease of operation."

In terms of comfort, cab noise has reduced from 71dBA to 68dBA and a new 270-degree front windscreen wiper now provides a 64 per cent increase in coverage compared with the previous generation.

The new Horizon cab features New Holland's latest SideWinder armrest, integrated connectivity and access to the FieldOps platform, enabling operators to manage machine and agronomic data from a single system. ISOBUS compatibility and precision farming technology further support productivity and decision-making across the farm.

The T7 Standard Wheelbase are available in T7.190, T7.210 and T7.225 models.

Government is especially prioritising dairy sector to boost food security. (Image source: GAA)

The Government of Kenya has partnered with the country's farmers to commission the Sh500-million Meru Maziwa Millers Feed Mill at Mitunguu in Imenti South Sub-County

While the Government contributed Sh200mn for the project, farmers raised the remaining Sh300mn.

According to Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, farmers can look forward to increased profit margins once the new facility is operational, reducing the cost of dairy feed from the current average of Sh3,200 to about Sh2,800 per bag. With revised farm-gate rates of Sh52 per litre from Sh50 since this month, dairy farmers can expect boosted returns as well. 

Further securing quality and productivity of dairy herds for farmers, the Government has also announced reduced cost of sexed semen from Sh7,000 to Sh1,400. 

“As we celebrate the success of Meru Dairy, let us also remember what the government has done for you. We will continue increasing the supply of subsidised sexed semen across the country,” Kindiki said. 

He highlighted that the Government is especially prioritising the dairy sector to boost food security and farmers' incomes. A Sh100mn budget plan is already in place for Phase Two of the mill, while another Sh100mn through the supplementary budget will facilitate Phase Three.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, Kenneth Gitonga, the feed mill investments will be transformational for the 720,000 lpd-capacity cooperative, which is already seeing substantial progress. 

Gitonga is anticipating expansion encouraged by the promising numbers reflecting the cooperative's steady growth. Over the last three years, farmers membership rose from 11,012 to 161,874. Daily milk intake has increased from 287,000 litres to 670,000 litres, and the number of affiliated cooperative societies has grown from 139 to 168. 

The cooperative is aiming to make Sh25bn in annual sales next year, given its consistent returns from Sh9.3bn in 2023 to Sh20.1bn in 2025. 

The C1450T is built to increase capacity. (Image source: John Deere)

Farmers can now target larger acres between refills with John Deere’s latest air cart version with boosted capacity option, the C1450T

This comes as an expansion of the global agricultural equipment manufacturer’s C-Series air cart offerings. The new air cart is a combination of all the features in the previous versions and much more, including corrosion-resistant AccuRate meters, EZCal calibration system and precision ag technology. The solution makes sure to improve farmer productivity. In addition, the cart is seamlessly integrated into the John Deere Operations Center, so that farmers can achieve maximum operational efficiency.

“Seeding windows continue to get tighter, and farmers are looking for ways to cover more ground without adding complexity,” said Benjamin Zelle, who is the marketing manager for seeders and planters in John Deere.

“The C1450T is built to help them scale their operation with increased capacity, so they can stay productive and make the most of every available hour in the field.”

John Deere's EZCal system of the C-Series carts come with a push-button calibration system that is faster and more efficient than older, manual bag calibration systems, eliminating the need to crawl under the cart to calibrate while also decreasing the back-and-forth steps to complete this task.

“The C1450T combines increased capacity with the precision technologies farmers depend on every day,” Zelle said.

“Features like the ActiveCal system give operators real-time visibility into product levels and application performance, helping them make in-field adjustments and maintain accuracy without slowing down.”

The company’s slurry handling equipment come with competitive price ranges.

SlurryKat has introduced its new SlurryKat farmline range to especially cater to the needs of part-time farmers, weekend farmers and smaller livestock enterprises

Available from 1,350 to 2,500 gallons, covering a diverse range of farms, the farmline tanker boasts of advanced level durability. Farmline slurry tankers are made of high-tensile steel with premium paint system to meet the manufacturing standards for light weight agricultural slurry tankers.

The company’s slurry handling equipment come with competitive price ranges and ensure shorter lead times.

SlurryKat’s slurry tankers are now available in three ranges, including Farmline, Premium Plus or Elete slurry tanker range. The ranges are designed to serve all kinds from owner-operated farms to large-scale farming businesses and contractors.

The company brings extensive experience to the industry, which helps in generating sleek and portable slurry tankers that are equipped to perform equally well on the road as well as the field.

The tanker and spreading system are especially designed reduce overall weight by more than 20%.

Other special features include highly capable filling and discharge cycles by up to 28%; fuels-saving capacity by more than 15%, and reduced soil compaction. These tankers are equipped to operate as a fully integrated and balanced unit. 

Farmline tankers run on a powerful onboard pump (such as a 9,000 L MEC pump) and suction hoses that draw liquid slurry up from farm storage tanks or lagoons into the high-tensile steel tank. The organic waste is disposed safely across farm tracks and roads from the yard to the target field. The nutrient-rich material is directed onto crops and grassland with the help of either a traditional rear splash plate or a compact 9m/10.5m dribble bar/trailing shoe system for precise nutrient uptake.