Technology

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. 

The project is set to become an exemplary climate-smart agriculture.

As part of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa's Growth and Development (TagDev 2.0) programme that has been designed to boost high value crop yield and educate farmers on Artificial Intelligence, the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has introduced an AI-powered fertigation system that digitalises irrigation and fertiliser application by leveraging real-time data

The project is set to become an exemplary climate-smart agriculture, working wonders on boosting crop production.

The installation is already operational at a greenhouse built in MUST's main campus in Thyolo, which will be supporting the growth of tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers.

“We are using AI to make farming more efficient, productive and climate-resilient while providing students and communities with practical skills that can transform agriculture,” said Jabulani Nyengere, senior lecturer in geoinformatics and postgraduate coordinator at MUST, who has been spearheading the project. He explained that the system ensures sustainability by cutting down water and nutrient waste. It works from the combined effects of AI, precision irrigation and automated fertiliser management.

The advanced technology is designed to decode crop growth data without any breaks and automatically adjusts water and nutrient levels, ensuring plants receive the right inputs while conserving resources, he said. 

The project aligns with MUST's vision on advancing research and development on innovation and technology to address food security, climate change and sustainable agricultural development. 

The smart system combines irrigation and fertiliser application, automatically adjusting in real time the crop estimates according to their growth stage. As the right quantity of nutrients are secured for the crops at the right time, less waste is generated, ensuring boosted productivity, crop quality and efficient use of resources.

The company officially launched its Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) equipment and services at its Africa headquarters in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.(Image credit: xylem)

Water scarcity and wastewater management have long been pressing concerns across South Africa, and Xylem, a globally recognised water technology company, has just made things a great deal more manageable.

The company officially launched its Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) equipment and services at its Africa headquarters in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, marking a significant step forward in accessible, practical wastewater treatment for the region.

The launch drew attention from a wide range of industries that deal with the daily challenge of treating and recycling water responsibly. Mining operations, municipalities, agricultural businesses, aquaculture farms, food and beverage producers, paper and pulp mills, chemical manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies are all in the frame as potential beneficiaries of this technology. It is a broad reach, and deliberately so.

At its core, DAF is a pre-treatment and solids-separation system designed to slot into existing wastewater management frameworks. It works as a standalone unit or as part of a larger treatment process, sitting alongside biological treatment, filtration, and water reuse systems to help facilities meet compliance targets and achieve their recycling goals. What makes it particularly attractive is its compact, modular build, which means it can be installed even in tight or congested spaces where traditional systems simply would not fit. Rental options are also on the table, making it viable for smaller operations or those with seasonal demands.

The science behind DAF is clever but straightforward. Xylem's systems use Hellbender pumps to generate microscopic air bubbles that, after the water undergoes coagulation and flocculation, latch onto suspended particles and drag them to the surface where they can be skimmed off. The result is water that is significantly cleaner, with total suspended solids, fats, oils, greases, and biochemical oxygen demand all reduced efficiently.

Three models are available, the RT-50, RT-100, and RT-240, catering for flow rates ranging from 100 to 1,000 GPM. Each unit is built from durable stainless steel, comes with an integrated flocculation tube, and includes a pre-wired control panel that makes setup relatively straightforward.

Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager at Xylem WSS (AMETI), was candid about what this launch means for local customers. "We are very excited to bring cutting-edge DAF solutions to our local customers. Xylem has introduced our DAF solutions to several other markets, where they have become a big hit among companies of various sizes. They appreciate the logistical benefits of DAF's compact designs and convenient deployment, supported by our expert technicians. South African organisations in the private and public sectors can now also leverage DAF to expand their choices for water treatment and recycling."

The support offering goes well beyond simply supplying equipment. "Xylem's expert staff and our experienced partners customise each solution as required. We deliver and manage components such as mixer tanks, weir tanks, pumps, and conveyors, as well as catwalks and accessories. Our skilled technicians can support on-site staff or run the process on behalf of our customers," added Mistry.

For too long, fully industrialised water treatment felt out of reach for many South African organisations, put off by the cost and operational complexity involved. Xylem's DAF range changes that conversation considerably, offering a flexible, scalable entry point into serious water management without demanding enormous upfront commitment. Whether a business is running a pilot programme or upgrading an established treatment system, there is a configuration to suit the need.

The launch plants Xylem firmly on the map as a hands-on, solutions-driven partner for industries and municipalities that are serious about using water wisely.