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. 

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.