Machinery & Equipment

The software ensures precise dosing and transparently documents all steps, from small batches to complex multi-comp onent recipes. (Image source: Minebea Inc)

Leading global manufacturer of weighing and inspection technologies, Minebea Intec has launched a new recipe software to cater to the needs of companies in the food industry

ProRecipe XT helps map manual dosing processes by combining scales and software into a powerful unit, thus fulfilling the highest requirements for precision and process reliability. Moreover, it benefits not only production companies with demanding recipes but also system integrators who want to expand their portfolio with a powerful recipe management system.

From the precise weighing of ingredients to automatic documentation, ProRecipe XT eliminates errors and enables the entire process to be digitally controlled, thereby saving time and ensuring smooth flow. ProRecipe XT finds typical application in the food industry where it can be used in the production of baked goods. The baking process is quite tedious and generally involves the processing of numerous ingredients in different quantities.  

The software ensures precise dosing and transparently documents all steps, from small batches to complex multi-comp onent recipes. Thanks to the interface to existing ERP systems, order and batch data can be transferred automatically. Once dosing is complete, ProRecipe XT returns the weighing data and consumption quantities directly. This saves time, minimises input and weighing errors and ensures precise batching and an up-to-date stock overview at all times. Additionally, the software has a modular and attractively priced licensing concept that makes sensitive cost calculations easier. 

The comprehensive services - from software and weighing solutions to commissioning and qualification - come from a single source. Where necessary, Minebea Intec provides support with individual adaptations in order to offer customised solutions for specific customer requirements.

"With ProRecipe XT, we enable our customers not only to digitalise their production processes but also to make them significantly safer and more efficient," explained Lars-Henrik Bierwirth, global product manager at Minebea Intec. "Thanks to the complete traceability and precise control of all process parameters, we are setting new standards in production safety."

Josef Fliegl und Bernd Stapel. (Image source: Fliegl)

Leading international manufacturer of agricultural transport solutions, Fliegl Agrartechnik GmbH and slurry technology and special solutions expert, Stapel GmbH recently announced their strategic collaboration aiming to utilise and expand existing synergies in the field of liquid manure technology and agricultural semi-trailer tractor units

The focus lies in developing solutions that make the agricultural use of tractor units more efficient and meet future requirements. The cooperation will drive forward product development and aims to boost efficiency by pooling the respective expertise and developing more efficient solutions in the field of slurry technology and agricultural tractor units. 

“This cooperation offers both companies the opportunity to combine their strengths and jointly develop innovative products for the agricultural machinery industry," explained Josef Fliegl, Jr managing director of Fliegl Agrartechnik GmbH. "We see enormous potential in the cooperation with Stapel to be able to offer our customers even more efficient and economical solutions in the future.” 

Users of CLAAS equipment can bring their machine data into CropX for visualisation, analysis, and creation of variable rate application tasks. (Image source: CropX)

Global precision agronomy platform, CropX recently announced its new digital connection with global agri machinery manufacturer, CLAAS, allowing users of CLAAS equipment to bring their machine data into CropX for visualisation, analysis, and creation of variable rate application tasks

The CropX agronomic farm management system combines data gathered from satellites and the field with agronomic knowledge and advanced AI-assisted machine learning to offer a comprehensive understanding of what is happening in the soil.

Users receive a snapshot of field conditions and receive recommendations on irrigation timing and quantity, nitrogen leaching, and fungal disease crop protection. In addition, users can import data from the world's most popular agricultural machinery brands, of which CLAAS is the latest. The data can be visualised and used to create maps for variable rate application of seeding, fertigation, and irrigation, and harvest yield maps can be added for planning future seasons.

"With CLAAS Connect and the new interface with CropX, we offer our joint customers enhanced interoperability between systems," said Wolf-Christian von Wendorff, SVP of Global Digital Solutions at CLAAS. "The seamless integration of agronomic data into the CropX platform enables customers to boost their productivity through informed decision-making, thereby enhancing the efficiency of practices such as irrigation."

One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

As harsh weather conditions continue to hamper food security strategies globally, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leicester aims at getting more farmers in Kenya to harness the insights of Earth Observation (EO) technologies

Extreme weather events have led to reduced agricultural yields, especially for those in Sub-Saharan Africa that largely depend on rain-fed agriculture. 

A PhD project at University of Leicester focuses on exploring how EO technologies such as remote sensing, satellite monitoring and land surface models for weather predictions and soil moisture assessments can equip farmers with the necessary data to make informed agricultural decisions.

One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data, which empowers them to plan their agricultural activities with greater accuracy. 

“Earth Observation technologies provide a strategic solution to enhance better farming practices but require better strategies for communicating with farmers to allay any ethical and environmental fears and improve their adoption,” said Fiona Imbali, PhD student in the University of Leicester School of Geography, Geology, and Environment. “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the importance of working with local communities and respecting their indigenous knowledge for climate governance and this research will be working with indigenous farming communities to develop participatory science communication strategies for the adoption of EO technologies.”

In addition, she also emphasised how the disregarding women’s challenges would also hamper technology adoption. “This study will engage communities from the onset of the research to understand their challenges, priorities, as well as their socio-cultural perspectives and more so for the women who have always been considered as a homogenous group in order to develop participatory, inclusive communication approaches,” Imbali added.