Farms & Farm Machinery Issue 441 September 2024

CONFIDENCE THAT LASTS.

PLUS, THE MAXAM AGRIXTRA RANGE DELIVERS MINIMAL SOIL COMPACTION, A COMFORTABLE RIDE AND IMPROVED TRACTION WHICH SURPASSES ALL AGRICULTURAL TYRE EXPECTATIONS. WHEN PACKAGED WITH ONE OF THE BEST WARRANTIES IN THE INDUSTRY, THE AGRIXTRA DELIVERS THE PERFORMANCE YOUR FARM DESERVES!

36 Bobcat telehandlers the only choice for Queensland poultry company

45 Hercules graders excelling for Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales

48 Jetland Loading Ramps provides easy access to solutions

68 Cobra Equipment Sales’ Shantui machines proving handy on farms

Industry news

15 National research program to evaluate fertiliser efficiency

15 New round of On Farm Connectivity Program launched

16 Commercial food waste turned into animal feed

16 Telstra and Optus further delay 3G network shutdown

17 GRDC urges grain growers to assess silo safety

17 Virtual farm fencing technology trialled

18 Plan launched to protect grains industry biosecurity

18 Victoria invests into biosecurity projects

Market news

58 Tractor sales declined in July, however smaller tractors defied the trend, TMA’s Gary Northover says

Opinion

60 WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington says a growing global middle class will drive increased grain demand

Event news

65 World’s biggest tractor to be unveiled in Carnamah

Regular items

4 Editor’s note

62 Calendar of upcoming events

78 List your item for sale!

81 In the loop

Upgrades to the D3 Distributed Control System will help eliminate guesswork around valves, Valmet says

81 AC Easy

Eniquest signs generator distribution deal with Power Equipment

Image: Vircura

Welcome

to the latest edition of Farms & Farm Machinery

At Farms & Farm Machinery, we aim to bring readers a variety of content in each edition covering every aspect of Australian agriculture.

New machinery releases have always been a primary focus of the magazine –and we have ticked that off thanks to New Holland’s exciting CR11 combine harvester which was launched last month.

We talk with dealers Intersales about the benefits this new harvester will bring to the farmers that work the land in Australia daily.

For machinery which has had time to be established in the market, we love to speak directly to Australian farmers who are using it in their daily lives to get genuine feedback and opinions.

This month, we have spoken to a Queensland farmer and contractor – who also dabbles as a TikTok star – to hear about how JCB’s Fastrac iCON 8330 tractor’s speed is making major changes to his efficiency.

We also chat to another Queensland-based business – Woodland Enterprises – and get one of the most glowing endorsements imaginable for its fleet of Bobcat telehandlers.

Tornado Pumps & Sprayers is so much more than simply an Antonio Carraro deal er, as we discover the long history between t he brand and dealership and the suitabili ty of the Italian-made tractors for Lismore’s macadamia industry.

In other cases we go straight to the source and speak with Jetland Loading Ramps, Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales and Cobra Equipment Sales about their products and what they can do for you.

We have spoken to BYPY Transmissions to discuss more about the importance

of servicing shafts and gearboxes before using older machinery.

Technology is continuing to change agriculture – and we have profiled Sververken’s F 100 Auto Steer System along with Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Farm Emissions Profile, both of which are providing new opportunities for Australian farmers.

New innovations and opportunities present themselves in all sorts of ways.

T his edition goes into depth about how agricultural waste could present a new economic opportunity in the form of sustainable aviation fuel, along with a profile on a v ineyard owner who has become the first in South Australia to plant agave crops which are used to produce tequila.

There is also plenty of industry news to keep readers across what is happening, along with a look ahead to an exciting and quirky upcoming event – the unveiling of the Big Tractor in Carnamah, Western Australia.

The Farms & Farm Machinery team also attended last month’s AgQuip and an extensive wrap of all the highlights from Gunnedah will feature in our following

Lincoln Bertelli Editor

($100) & 10x Signed Framed Tickford Racings Polos ($750). Prize Pool 2 prizes: 20x Weber Baby Q ($568), 20x Makita 18V brushless 2pc kit combo ($800), 10x Castrol Branded Bar Fridges ($1k), 10x

Sveaverken

Connect Your Auto Steer System's Best Ally Farm Management System

solu�ons that maximize yields while keeping costs under control. Let's take a look at Sveaverken's Farm Management System (FMS), and how it tackles challenges faced by modern farmers.

Sveaverken's FMS Solu�on

Imagine a farm's command center, right in your hands. That's the aim with the FMS, allowing you to get a real-�me map of your fields right from your office. Plan your plants, and monitor your equipment, with a system that allows you to assign your whole team and provide live updates to your farm.

Sveaverken's FMS integrates with their F100 Auto Steer System and leverages ISOBUS TC technology, allowing for a holis�c approach to farm management.

At the heart of the FMS is its ability to collect, analyze, and u�lize vast amounts of data. From weather pa�erns to your current equipment performance, the FMS provides farmers with the insights needed to make informed decisions.

Time is a precious commodity on the farm. So you'll want to know that with each decision you make, you've made an effec�ve one. By automa�ng tasks, reducing paperwork, and providing ac�onable insights, the FMS frees you up to focus on bigger decisions.

Precision at Every Turn

By integra�ng with the F100 Auto Steer System and u�lizing ISOBUS TC technology, the FMS enables precise control over agricultural machinery. Whether you're plan�ng seeds, applying fer�lizers, or spraying pes�cides, as you're working through your fields, it works to ensure you're working op�mally.

Say goodbye to overlap, skips, and wasted inputs - you’ll achieve be�er results while minimizing your environmental impact, too.

A Sustainable, Profitable Future

Easily create accurate boundaries and generate precise guidance lines using a user-friendly map interface, enabling seamless task assignment to the auto steer system.*

File Sync

Effortlessly import and export boundary and guidance line files in GeoJSON/Shapefile formats, simplifying the transfer process to auto steer systems.*

*Note: This feature is available on F100's Advanced Mode only.

Streamlining Opera�ons

Ul�mately, the ability to gain this overview of your farm's opera�ons and delegate tasks means op�miza�on. And if you're op�mizing opera�ons, you've spent your �me strategically - such is the vision of employing the FMS. Your team can be assigned roles and keep you updated on their progress right within the FMS interface, giving you a true visualiza�on of what's happening at any given moment. Any worker is able to contribute and keep tabs on inventory and their tasks, giving you peace of mind that you know exactly what's going in and out, and what the situa�on is on the ground. Truly the digital age of farming!

A Sustainable, Profitable Future

From field mapping and task planning to equipment monitoring and maintenance, the FMS helps you op�mize how you run your farm, saving you �me and money. Sveaverken's FMS takes care of the complexi�es and translates it into something all farmers can understand, allowing you to focus on what ma�ers most – growing your business. From precise field management to real-�me monitoring and data analysis, the FMS provides a comprehensive solu�on for modern agriculture. Get in touch with Sveaverken to learn more about their growing list of precision agriculture solu�ons and more.

The Power of Data

Planting spirit

Used to produce tequila, agave crops have been commercially planted in South Australia for the first time. Jackson Haddad caught up with vineyard owner Oli Madgett to find out how this first step could help build a new industry in Australia

Based in McLaren Vale, South Australia, The Madgett’s Block vineyard is now the site of the state’s first commercial agave tequilana plants – growing what is a key ingredient in tequila.

Also known as blue agave, up until this point the crop had only been grown and distilled in certain areas of Mexico, but The Madgett’s Block vineyard has taken the first step to change this.

The vineyard is set to grow 1,200 agave tequilana plants, primarily to produce agave spirit, while also experimenting with other agave varieties that can be used for animal feed and as a source of fuel.

The Madgett’s Block Originally emigrating from London to McLaren Vale, vineyard owners Oli and Tara Madgett have now been grape growers for nine years.

Agave tequilana plants are used to produce tequila. Image: Vircura

The Madgetts use the crop for distillation, but also trial different varieties that could be used to produce renewable biofuel.

Image: The Madgetts Block

FARMING

Coming from non-agricultural backgrounds, the Madgetts purchased the 6.5-hectare (16 acre) established vineyard on a hunch that it felt right, with the previous owners helping to kickstart the takeover period.

“We didn’t have much knowledge of what we were taking on and we were probably led by our hearts more than our mind. The previous owners have done an amazing job on this block, so that helped encourage us take on the risk,” Oli says.

A previous grape-supplying contract with Treasury Wine Estates was in place when the vineyard was bought, so this was then inherited to the new owners to help get them up and running.

“It was a really smooth transition, the help was invaluable,” Oli says.

“Having the previous owners available to hold your hand through the first year made all the difference.”

Making change

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,

Oli describes the wine industry as having been a roller coaster, which has made it hard for him as a smaller producer.

In 2020, tariffs were imposed on Australian wine exported to China – one of Australia’s biggest wine export markets.

Because of this, less wine was being exported and more was being backed up in tanks, Oli says. With an oversupply and more wine in storage, demand softened, with Oli describing the industry as being hit by a ‘perfect storm’.

“Suddenly we found that the market had flipped, from growers not being able to meet the demand, to there being a significant oversupply,” he says.

Facing a lack of demand, he decided enough was enough and some of the vines started being removed at The Madgett’s Block to reduce the economic losses, with the Madgetts looking about at what they could do to diversify.

Working with plant-based technology company Vircura, a solution was found –planting agave crops.

Agave

The agave crop has many varieties, presenting a range of opportunities including being used as a fuel source – alongside the ability for it to be distilled into tequila.

Although the primary goal is to use the crop for distillation and spirit production, other agave varieties will be trialled for the creation of renewable biofuels.

This could be a huge win for sustainability, as the crop produces biomass that can be used to produce renewable biofuels.

Oli says there may be requirements for using alternative fuels in the near future, so he plans to look at whether the crop’s leaves can be harvested for this biomass.

“We’re looking at whether we can harvest these leaves while the agave is still growing, and trim them off at set points in time,” he says.

Agave usually takes up to 10 years to grow in Mexico for distillation, without any irrigation, and now Oli wants to see if environmental changes will lead to a quicker harvest.

Oli and Tara Madgett have planted agave crops at their South Australian vineyard. Image: Vircura

“We can give the crop water that it usually wouldn’t have, put it into better soil and place it an environment that it wouldn’t normally be grown in,” he says.

“In these conditions, we want to see if we can speed up the harvesting process.”

In addition to being distilled for tequila, Oli says agave can be processed as silage for animal feed. Because it is also fire resistant, it could be strategically planted as firebreak to protect crops from bushfires.

Looking to the future of the crop, Oli sees agave as an option for growers that are looking to diversify in the wine industry.

Although he is taking a risk as the first to commercially plant this crop in South Australia, Oli says he’s willing to take on the challenge, as it will provide invaluable information for other interested growers.

“It’s an emerging space and we’re wanting to help to create an agave industry in Australia,” he says. I’m looking forward to sharing the journey that we’re on and the learnings that come from it, and hopefully we see more people step in and help build the industry as well.”

Pressurized cabins as low as 1.74 m. narrow as low as 1.05 m. Our Range reaches 110 hp manual or true Hydrostatic! NO COMPROMISE on power!

Visit your closest dealer

web: www.antoniocarraro.it/au

Oli sees agave as a logical option for growers that are looking to diversify in the wine industry. Image: Vircura

Antonio Carraro tractors made in Italy since 1910. The perfect tractor for orchards, vineyards and steep terrain Constant 4WD, oscillating chassis give the tractor amazing stability and traction Reversible seat position.

Star SPEEDY

A Queensland farmer and contractor is impressed with his new JCB Fastrac iCON 8330 tractor and has been showing his online fan base

The Fastrac iCON 8330 is a star of JCB’s range.

Image: CEA

He is a TikTok star with his finger on the pulse of farm machinery worldwide, so

Lance Wise’s decision to go with JCB’s Fastrac iCON 8330 tractor was not one taken lightly.

The Queensland farmer and contractor has more than 35,000 followers on the social media platform, sharing videos of his life working the land in the state’s Darling Downs region.

His videos give his audience an insight into real-world farm machinery use, while the knowledge sharing goes both ways as

Lance is also exposed to new machines, techniques and ideas thanks to the platform.

Having spent much of his farming life using another brand of tractor, it was after a demonstration of the Fastrac iCON 8330 early last year that Lance made his first leap into JCB machinery.

“We were pretty impressed with it, so we decided to go ahead towards the end of last year and it’s been running well,” Lance says.

“It’s just very smooth, doing every operation you put it towards – smooth in the

paddock, and smooth on the road.

“We’ve normally run other tractors and this is just far better and a lot more comfortable to ride in.”

Lance is primarily a grain farmer, operating across 1,650 hectares at Bowenville near Toowoomba, while also doing contract harvesting around the Darling Downs region and hiring out some machinery.

One of the features which JCB tractors are known for, particularly the Fastrac iCON 8330, is their speed.

The towing capacity can handle demanding implements. Image: CEA

A modified Fastrac broke a Guinness World Record in 2019 for the world’s fastest tractor, while the ‘standard’ Fastrac iCON 8330 boasts a top speed of 70km/h.

This additional speed is invaluable for an operation like Lance’s, where hire and contracting machinery can be located at different sites and travel time between these can be significant.

“When we’re moving machines around, you can’t tow them with a truck or ute or anything like that, so the tractor reaching 70km/h means you can get there fairly quickly and cruise home at 25-30km/h with an implement on the back,” he says.

“Some instances could take six hours or more to get one machine and move it on to the next person, and I’ve almost halved it –or definitely taken off one-third of the time.

“It’s just made that a lot quicker and then obviously the suspension is a lot smoother as well. “That’s one of the reasons why we bought it, and it just fits in with our farming quite well.”

The Fastrac iCON 8330’s speed is a huge point of difference, but the tractor is far from a one-trick pony.

JCB’s iCON suite introduces a host of in-cabin upgrades. Image: CEA

Tow behind spraying is one job which Lance Wise uses his Fastrac iCON 8330 for. Image: Lance Wise

The iCON part of the name refers to the manufacturer’s new technology and control suite, which was only launched in Australia less than two years ago.

JCB says iCON has been designed to bolster the tractor’s technological capability while remaining simple and efficient for users.

It features a new armrest console and 30cm touchscreen display with fully integrated ISOBUS connectivity, precise GPS guidance and implement control applications, plus simplified operation on the joystick.

One simple change for operators is now pushing the joystick forward to increase tractor speed, rather than tapping to the right-hand side.

There are five configurable buttons and a roller thumb control on the main joystick, and another four with a rocker switch on the second joystick.

This has also made a difference for Lance, with JCB’s intentions when introducing the iCON suite being reflected in h is experience.

“It’s very user friendly and very easy to configure the controls to each implement

that you hook up to it,” Lance says.

“Once you work out your configurations and how you want to run the machine and control layout, it’s just far easier to use than other tractors.

“Everything’s one or two clicks away instead of needing to dive into the screen and go through five, six or seven steps to find out how to do something.

“It’s all just there and it’s been quite good that way.”

JCB’s Fastrac iCON 8330 is a powerful unit, producing 348 horsepower (260kW) and 1450Nm of torque.

Its rear lift capability of 10,000kg means it can handle even the most demanding of implements with ease.

It is one of two models in the JCB Fastrac iCON range, with the smaller 4220 model offering 235hp (175kW) of power, 1000Nm of torque and 8,000kg rear lift capacity.

For Lance, it is the 8330’s versatility and strength which makes it ideal for his needs.

“We’re mainly using it for the running around type jobs - so tow-behind spraying, spreading, three-point linkage spreading, chaser bin, those type of things,” he says.

“It definitely pulls harder than our other 350 horsepower tractor, so it can do that work quite well.”

Many farmers may know Lance through his TikTok profile ‘Lancey86’, where he is showing the benefits of his machines such as the JCB Fastrac iCON 8330 while also learning from other farmers around the world.

“It’s seeing what people do in different parts of the world, how they do it and how that can translate to what you do and give you different ideas,” he says.

“That’s been a good experience for us, looking over the fence and seeing what’s around.

“You’re also showing a different point of view to people that want to watch.

“It gives them a thought process where they might go for this piece of gear instead of that piece of gear - they’re actually getting a point of view from somebody who’s using the thing.”

Fastrac iCON tractors are distributed nationwide by JCB CEA’s extensive dealer network.

JETLAND is a leading supplier of high strength & heavy duty Aluminium loading ramps in Australia. High quality raw material and safety testing systems ensure a safe and reliable product.

No manufacturing delays, all ramps listed online are in stock at our warehouse in Mordialloc, Victoria.

We can also supply Custom built ramps - made to your specifications for your particular needs.

connected fertilisers

As part of the project, a network of field trials in representative soils and cropping systems will be established across the nation, where commercially available EEF technologies will be put to the test alongside conventional nitrogen fertilisers.

The EEF technologies will include urease inhibitors (to reduce ammonia loss), nitrification inhibitors (to reduce nitrous oxide, nitrogen and leaching loss), dual (urease and nitrification) inhibitors and controlled release fertilisers (both target-

EEFs trialled will target key nitrogen loss mechanisms (denitrification, nitrate leaching, volatilisation) in different cropping regions and measure crop nitrogen uptake to determine nitrogen use efficiency and return on investment. This will be achieved using nitrogen-15 stable isotope labelled fertilisers, allowing the fate of fertilisers to be tracked in soils and plants.

GRDC sustainable cropping systems manager Cristina Martinez says EEFs have been raised across several GRDC National Grower Network forums, particularly in Western Australia, and were front-of-mind for many growers – given increasing sus-

“Enhanced efficiency fertilisers are a potential option for reducing on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while

A research project will examine the potential of enhanced efficiency fertilisers to improve nitrogen use efficiency. Image: Arjun Pandey/ University of Melbourne

tions,” communications minister Michelle Rowland says.

“We listened to stakeholder feedback from industry and after a successful first round we are expanding the eligibility, enabling more farmers across more agricultural sectors to take part.”

also improving nitrogen use efficiency,” Martinez says.

With current adoption of EEFs low among grain growers, Martinez says this is due to premium prices compared to standard fertiliser products, uncertainty about how they perform and return on investment.

The four-year research program aims to address these queries by demonstrating the effectiveness of these technologies and by providing growers with clear recommendations on what performs best, to maximise return on investment.

Project research partners include the University of Melbourne, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Western Australia, University of Queensland, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO, Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Queensland University of Technology, La Trobe University, Birchip Cropping Group and South Australia’s Hart Field Site Group.

Technologies that have been invested in are already assisting farmers to optimise soil quality and nutrient levels, monitor livestock, improve efficiency of water use and streamline farm logistics. The OFCP is also allowing farmers to invest in on-farm safety and safeguards for farming equipment, livestock and fuel supplies.

OFCP round one closed in May, with

Funding of the OFCP program has been boosted. Image: DiedovStock/ stock.adobe.com

more than $13 million provided in rebates to suppliers. Equipment funded through round one of the program included:

• Soil moisture probes

• A ntennas

• L iquid level monitors

• L ivestock monitoring systems

• Weather monitors

• B oosters and repeaters

• Radio transmitters

• C ameras

• Water flow and pressure monitors.

Valuable waste

Australian company Food Recycle has developed technology that can turn commercial food waste into animal feed

Food Recycle has developed a food waste to animal feed technology, that it says could reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill and reduce carbon emissions – while contributing to a circular economy.

Its technology efficiently processes food waste from a variety of sources such as restaurants, abattoirs, farms and processors – turning it into animal feed.

According to the Australian government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water,

globally 30 per cent of all human food is wasted, but Food Recycle is taking action to change this statistic.

Food Recycle CEO Norm Boyle says each food waste stream is processed individually, analysed and stored separately as ingredients.

The nutritional and amino acid profile of each ingredient is then mixed together to make complete feeds, Boyle adds.

Delayed shutdown

Telstra and Optus have delayed their 3G shutdown, giving Australian farmers and businesses more time to prepare

Previously set to turn off their 3G networks in late August, Telstra and Optus have now delayed their network switchovers to October 28, in a move that has given farmers and businesses more time to prepare.

Originally set to be switched off on June 30, Telstra and Optus faced backlash from farmers and others living in

According to the company, two tonnes of food waste can be converted into one tonne of complete feed suitable for poul-

Food Recycle CEO Norm Boyle (pictured) co-founded the company to tackle the global problem of food waste. Image: Food Recycle

try, pigs and aquaculture.

Food Recycle’s processing of food waste also eliminates most biosecurity risks, at no additional cost, the company says.

A series of trials conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Western Sydney University and University of New England have tested the viability of Food Recycle’s technology.

“The trials show that the technology works, food waste is taken out of landfill and put back into the food chain, with our animal feed producing larger, healthier hens and eggs, and fish – for example,” Boyle says.

Food Recycle is now seeking to commercialise the technology in Australia and New Zealand through a crowd-fund platform.

aboutmomentsimages/stock.adobe.com

rural areas, with claims these groups were being left behind.

With limited mobile phone reception in rural areas, NSW Farmers rural affairs committee chair Deb Charlton says farmers and others rely on 3G networks to communicate, especially in emergency situations.

She adds that one of the problems that rural and regional farmers are having is trying to identify everything on their farm that is still operating through the 3G network –including machinery.

“There are still a lot of things operating under this network that will be effected by the shutdown, including water monitoring systems, fuel systems and remote diagnostics in tractors,” she says.

D ue to this, she had been pushing the telecommunication companies to delay the network switch off until everything using the network was identified.

Much to her delight, this is now the second time the network shutdown has been delayed, firstly delayed from June 30 to August 31, and now to October 28.

National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) president David Jochinke says while farmers now have longer to prepare, it’s important that they don’t leave it to the last minute.

“This is not the time to take a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude,” he says

“I urge people to check their devices urgently and make sure they are compatible w ith the 4G and 5G networks.”

Beyond mobile phones, the NFF urges rural Australians to think about what other technologies might be using the 3G network.

This includes ag tech such as livestock and dog trackers, weather stations, soil moisture probes, yield monitors and variable rate technology.

If you don’t know whether your device runs on the 3G network, you must contact the manufacturer to find out,” Jochinke says.

Both telecommunications companies have now also committed to undertaking a national public media campaign, ensuring Australians are informed of the impacts for some handsets.

The public media campaign is expected to reach more than 90 per cent of Australians and will emphasise the impact on both t raditional handsets and other devices that rely on the 3G network, such as personal medical alarms, emergency lift phones and fire alarms.

Silo safety

After a series of on-farm collapses, the Grains Research and Development Corporation is urging growers to assess the safety of their silos

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) grain storage extension team specialist Chris Warrick is calling on growers across the nation to assess and either maintain or decommission their older silos.

Recent on-farm incidents, including the collapse of silos in southern Australia, has proven to be a reminder of the dangers of silos that haven’t been maintained.

While silos can last more than 30 years if taken care of properly, Warrick says growers should check, assess and recognise when they’re no longer fit for purpose or when its structure has been compromised.

“The potential risks to family members or farm staff if a silo fails is very serious, there are also implications for grain or other losses, so this is an issue that growers need to pay attention to,” he says.

If silos are not structurally sound, Warrick recommends seeking an alternative storage option, making repairs or decommissioning it to prevent further damage, i njury or silo failure.

“Storing pulses and fertilisers can be higher risk than cereal grains, with higher bulk density and different flow characteristics

Out of bounds

placing greater loads on silos,” Warrick says.

“This can cause them to fail if structural weak points are apparent in either the design, materials, corrosion, damage or modifications undertaken.”

He adds that these commodities require stronger wall sheets and/or wall supports, as well as stronger cone bases than for central grains. Known contributors to silos failing under load include cracked concrete bases, unlevel bases, damaged silo legs or wall sheets and corroded rivets or bolts.

Warrick says a checklist for growers assessing silo integrity should include:

• I s the foundation the silo is sitting on stable?

• A re the support legs and base rings free of damage and rust and in sound condition?

• A re the wall sheets free of damage and rust?

• A re all fixings (rivets and bolts) in sound condition?

• I s the ladder structure (if applicable) in sound condition for safe use?

• D oes cleaning and operating the silo pose a safety risk?

Agriculture Victoria and New Zealand-based company Halter have partnered to trial the use of virtual fencing technology

Virtual fencing is a step closer to reality for Victorian farmers, after Agriculture Victoria and Halter partnered to trial virtual fencing technology at the state government’s smart farm in Ellinbank.

Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) welcomed the partnership, with president Emma Germano saying it is a step in the right direction in making the technology more accessible.

“This year the VFF has been engaged in direct discussions with the minister for agriculture to progress the use of virtual fencing technology on Victorian farms,” she says.

GRDC grower relations manager – north, Graeme Sandral also urged growers to take extra care when outloading fertilisers as they can absorb more moisture than stored grain.

“Growers should be aware that the northern and western sides of silos often have lower moisture, with higher moisture in the southern side of the silo,” Sandral says.

“This can present risks when outloading with the dry side generally emptying first, in the worst-case scenario this can lead to silo collapse.”

In addition to structural integrity, Warrick encourages growers to consider safe operation as part of the assessment.

“Whether it be for maintenance or monitoring grain, access to the top of silos is necessary, so safe access is a requirement,” he says.

“Many older silos have unsafe ladders, some silos have been purchased without

“The VFF has been encouraging the Victorian government to work on the regulations that will be required to enable its use commercially.”

Germano adds that virtual fencing would bring great benefits to Victoria, which has already been seen in other states and territories who already can use virtual fencing, i ncluding Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

International markets such as New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the USA also already have the ability to use virtual fencing technology.

“Virtual fencing has a broad application across the livestock sectors but will also provide substantial benefit for our dairy industry,” Germano says.

“It will save farmers’ time, improve safety outcomes for farm workers, better manage pastures and improve environmental outcomes.

Advocating for this technology in Victoria, she says there is already scientific evidence that virtual fencing creates and supports animal welfare benefits.

GRDC is urging growers to assess the safety of their silos. Image: Hamish/ stock.adobe.com

Halter’s virtual fencing technology will be trialled at the Victorian government’s Ellinbank-based smart farm. Image: Halter

Biosecurity plan

A new plan has been launched to further safeguard the Australian grains industry from biosecurity outbreaks

The Australian Grains Industry Biosecurity Plan will give industry, governments and stakeholders an expert framework to help prevent, prepare for and respond to grains-specific biosecurity issues.

More than 1,300 different plant pests and disease threats have been identified in the plan, that was developed in collaboration with industry leaders and biosecurity experts.

These include Plant Health Australia (PHA), Grain Producers Australia (GPA), Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, GrainGrowers and state and territory governments.

The plan also details the specific programs and activities needed to take proactive measures and protect growers, industry and the economy from biosecurity threats.

GPA chair and WA grain producer Barry Large says the launch of the plan is a good news story for all Australian grain producers and the wider grains industry and economy – and the start of a longer journey, to increase biosecurity capacity and capability.

A new plan has been developed to protect the grains industry from biosecurity threats. Image: Phoebe/ stock.adobe.com

“This plan, however, will implement the projects and initiatives we need to fight back against these pests and diseases that pose a constant threat to our livelihoods.”

A series of threat summary tables were developed in the plan, identifying exotic pests known to affect grain crops overseas. These were assessed by their overall risk to the industry based on four criteria –entry, establishment, spread potential and economic impact.

The plan also includes details on current mitigation and surveillance activities being undertaken and identifies contingency plans, fact sheets and diagnostic protocols that have been developed for pests relevant to the grains industry.

More than 50 new and existing activities have been identified by PHA and GRDC as targeted investments to strengthen biosecurity efforts.

Bolstered system

“Khapra Beetle is public enemy number one for our industry, with a potential $15 billion plus hit to the economy – and that’s just one of many grains-related biosecurity challenges we face,” he says.

16 organisations will receive grants to deliver projects that aim to improve livestock biosecurity in Victoria.

Image: Olga K/stock.adobe.com

$6.1 million has been invested into Victorian projects that help prevent, monitor and control diseases in varying industries

Victoria’s biosecurity system is set to be bolstered with a $6.1 million investment by the state government.

The investment will go towards projects that help prevent, monitor and control diseases in cattle, sheep, goat, swine and honeybee industries.

As part of this, 16 organisations will receive grants, allowing them to deliver 38 projects that provide solutions and

use emerging technologies to improve livestock biosecurity in Victoria.

“The Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program helps industry meet emerging challenges at a time when biosecurity risks and threats are constant, and allows us to be more proactive as we protect our state from pests and diseases,” Victorian minister for agriculture Ros Spence says. By raising funds through duties on the

These include ramping up surveillance efforts and their coordination, expanding the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program to drive plan activities and increasing education, training and simulations to prepare industry for a potential biosecurity outbreak.

The plan will also be regularly reviewed and updated for any newly identified biosecurity issues .

sale of livestock and beekeeper registration fees, the Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program will reinvest back into the sector to help meet emerging biosecurity challenges head-on.

Warragul-based Veterinary Support Services will receive $1.4 million to deliver a two-year Victorian Livestock Veterinary Scholarship program.

This will include supervision and training that provides early-career veterinarians with the skills, experience, networks and support to launch and sustain a livestock veterinary career in regional Victoria.

Western Plains Pork has been awarded $155,000 to run a pilot program to map contact between feral and domestic pigs to understand disease transmission risks.

This program will enhance participation and engagement from land managers – helping the industry prepare for and reduce the impact of diseases on the Victorian pig industry.

For a full list of the 2024 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program recipients as well as Livestock Compensation Advisory Committee members, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/ livestockbiosecurityfunds.

Special pair

The TRX is reversible, making it perfect for both front and rear mounted implements

Images: Antonio Carraro

“They have the benefit of reversibility, meaning that their steering and driving position can be changed, which renders them very good for a lot of implements that require a machine that’s concise in

“Orchards today are becoming more and more dense in terms of their plant, tree and vine density - land is very expensive and labour is very expensive.

“These tractors are made very small because their row densities in a lot of orchard situations are very tight, so that’s one of the pinnacles of why they work very well in very specialised orchard scenarioseven under igloo type or hothouse type conditions - they’re very strong and very versatile,” he says.

Numbers game

Antonio Carraro’s TRX 9900 is powered by an 89hp (66kW) four-cylinder Kubota engine and offers a 2,400kg lifting capacity.

This makes it one of the more powerful tractors in the manufacturer’s offering, but still comes with the choice of either a rollbar or fully-enclosed cabin while also

Antonio Carraro tractors are versatile enough to handle unique needs

The ROPS option makes it ideal for low environments

providing 16 forward and 16 reverse gears.

The TRX in its model name is an acronym, with the letters representing steering front axle (T), reversible console (R) and equal size wheels front and rear (X).

Bianco also praised the tractor’s strength in hillside conditions, with the TRX9900 able to handle up to 33 degrees of incline without overturning, and up to 38 degrees when stopped on an incline.

It is also fitted with the manufacturer’s patented Actio chassis, where the front and rear axles oscillate independently up to 15 degrees, which helps the tractor crawl over uneven ground and keeps it in constant 4WD.

History lesson

To fully grasp the mutually beneficial relationship between Antonio Carraro tractors and the macadamia industry requires delving into the history of the latter, with Bianco and Tornado Pumps & Sprayers being key players.

“Trying to harvest macadamias back in those early days was very difficult,” Bianco says.

“It was all done by hand and there was no real machinery for harvesting, except for a hand rake, bags and a lot of labour.”

A company in the Lismore area saw the benefits of an American machine with small spikes on the wheels which was primarily used to collect golf balls from fairways, Bianco says, and converted this with reasonable success into a macadamia harvester that was paired with conventional tractors.

At the time, Bianco was in business with his uncle and regularly bought products for the macadamia industry from Paul

Blassuto, who is now his boss at Tornado.

Blassuto was bringing in Antonio Carraro tractors to Australia, which first exposed Bianco to their unique capabilities such as the reversible driving.

“It’s not the modern thing you see today, but it was obviously a step in the evolution of it,” Bianco says.

“Both my uncle and I saw what it was capable of. We both looked at one another and said ‘we’ve got to build a harvester for this’ because the tractor was reversible with its seat and steering position.

“That’s where it ended up evolving from. We had another man that made the harvester for us, we put it on the linkage and we turned the seat and steering around and we drove into the orchard.

“A year on, and all of a sudden we had a new concept that the industry was able to take advantage of.

“The first three or four machines were difficult to sell because it was a bit out of left field – nobody had seen them before and nobody knew what they were - but if you look at the numbers that are out there today, there are literally thousands of them out there that are doing this exact job.

“The TRX 9900 is the pinnacle of what is sold here because it’s a great package fitted with a macadamia harvester that’s also manufactured here in Lismore.”

Mutual benefit

Antonio Carraro is the only tractor brand sold by Tornado Pumps & Sprayers, given these clear benefits for the industries in which it specialises.

Bianco’s admiration of the Antonio Carraro product – including the TRX 9900 - comes from the considerable and

long-term benefits he has seen for the macadamia industry, but also from the experience of dealing with the family-owned manufacturer directly.

“They’re very family oriented, they’re very good people to get on with and the product is extremely well supported worldwide,” he says.

“This is this whole thing about the company - you are somebody to them. I know it sounds a bit far-fetched, but I’ve had the experience.

“I’ve been over to Italy quite a number of times and you’re like family over there when you go over.

“One year I went to the factory and the Australian flag was flying outside because I was there on that day.”

Tornado is also a manufacturer, primarily of sprayers for the macadamia and grape sectors.

Bianco says Tornado’s philosophy is to offer personalised and specific service to ensure their machinery will do exactly what is required – getting maximum benefit from both that machine and the Antonio Carraro tractor it is frequently paired with.

“We want every product to be right for them and we’ve always done that - I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he says.

Antonio Carraro’s full tractor range can be viewed at www.antoniocarraro.it/au

The tractor is suited to horticulture applications

The TRX 9900 is also available without a cabin

Major rebuild

New Holland’s newest product, the CR11 combine harvester, has been praised by Intersales, the newest member of its national dealer network

New Holland has unveiled a big addition to its combine harvester lineup, adding new technologies and capacity thanks to a full ground-up rebuild.

The CR11 combine was debuted at Perth’s Convention and Exhibition Centre last month and it has already got eastern states dealership group Intersales excited.

The CR11 boasts a 15.9L engine producing 775hp (578kW) along with a 20,000L grain tank capacity.

New Holland’s CR10, which is a companion model coming to Australia later in the year, offers a 12.9L engine producing 635hp (473kW) and a 16,000L grain tank.

These twin-rotor combine harvesters are the result of extensive planning and testing by New Holland, promising to increase profitability for farmers by reducing the total harvesting costs.

Intersales general resource officer Jarrod

Stephenson attended the Perth launch and says the CR11 is an exciting machine which boasts significant benefits.

“One of the most impressive things about it is that it’s a full ground-up rebuild,” he says.

“It’s not just adding a couple of features to what’s currently in the CR10.90s and 9.90s - they’ve taken it back to the drawing board over the last 10 years and redesigned the cleaning area and bigger rotors, right the way through.

“Obviously there’s a few commonalities, but rather than just looking at a couple of improvements, it’s been restarted from scratch - looking at what works and what doesn’t and focusing on the good things.

“It’s an enormous machine and I don’t think anyone matches it for capacity and efficiencies out there on the market.”

New Holland’s latest combines have

been built at the company’s Centre of Excellence in Belgium and has undergone comprehensive validation testing in Australia.

The CR11 was also awarded the Gold Medal Innovation Award at Agritechnica in Germany last November, which was the first time the machine had been seen globally.

Its next step for the local market will be in-field demonstrations and limited production of new machines for the 2025 harvest.

Stephenson believes the trend towards larger machines such as the CR11, along with ongoing labour shortages in Australian agriculture, will make it popular with not only Intersales’ catchment area but across the nation.

With dealerships in Temora, Griffith, Wagga Wagga and Albury/Wodonga,

The CR11 combine harvester was launched in Perth

Images: New Holland

Intersales took on the sale of New Holland products earlier this year after acquiring Cadmac Machinery.

“Looking at the way the global market is going, we are adopting bigger and bigger machines,” he says.

“I think it’s certainly got a place for multiple unit farms or the bigger contractors.

“The west will definitely take it on in a big way and we will have some of our bigger guys over this way use it along with the corporates.

“The other thing is that good people are hard to come by in this day and age.

“If you could have two machines doing the job of three or four, or one machine doing the job of two, it cuts down on an extra driver.”

Close to zero grain loss, improved residue management and maximum uptime

provide greater capacity for the crop to circulate and the grain to be threshed and separated.

The CR11 provides a 210L per second unloading rate while the CR10 offers 159L/ second.

They both feature a revised and improved IntelliSense automation system, which will make automatic adjustments according to the chosen harvest strategy – whether it be limited loss, best grain quality, maximum capacity, or fixed throughput.

Another big development has been a totally new cleaning shoe.

The Twin-Clean cleaning shoe consists of two sieve systems in sequence, New Holland says, with each having its own upper and lower sieve and clean grain auger.

This cross-distribution mechanism

difference, it is this new cleaning shoe which will help users maximise the combine’s benefits.

“One of the things that New Holland has always been good for is that they don’t lose grain out the back of the machine,” he says.

“It’s all well and good to punch horsepower and pull more material through a machine, but if you haven’t got the cleaning area to get the capacity out of it and still keep the grain in the header then there’s no point.

“The new cleaning area design is where they’re getting the extra capacity from and this is an impressive feature.”

New Holland has also introduced a totally new residue management system to the CR combines.

The IntelliSpread feature uses twin radars which continuously measure, in-

The CR11 was unveiled after a full ground-up rebuild

A driveline which New Holland says is the cleanest in the market will significantly reduce downtime and maintenance, while the number of drive components have been reduced by 25 per cent and all drive chains have been completely eliminated.

All of this leads to a machine which aims to reduce the cost of harvesting and be a savvy long-term investment for Australian farmers and contractors.

“One of the big focuses for New Holland is that whatever they’ve done to this machine had to show that it was going to reduce the cost of harvest,” Stephenson says.

“Bigger machines cost more money, but at the end of the day, they need to be able to satisfy the farmers’ need to reduce their cost at harvest time.

“Whether that’s in efficiency with the ma chine, reducing grain loss down to next to nothing means you’re not wasting money out the back.

“New Holland has already got the header which holds the record for the highest ca pacity - and they’ve gone and redesigned and improved it. It’s pretty impressive.”

To find out more, visit Intersales online at www.intersales.com.au

Reduced downtime and maintenance are promised with the new look

The CR11 harvester boasts a 20,000L grain tank and 775hp engine

Understand your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and consider production efficiency strategies to reduce emissions.

Get started today. Speak to a farm sustainability specialist.

To find out more, scan the QR code or visit NutrienAgSolutions.com.au/FarmEmissionsProfile

Self-driving

Able to be retrofitted, Sveaverken’s F100 Auto Steer System increases cost efficiency for farmers, by enabling automated driving of tractors

Accuracy is key in the world of precision farming, but it requires high attention to detail, otherwise human errors can be easily made.

To eliminate this issue, Swedish farming solutions company Sveaverken has recently introduced its F100 Auto Steer System into Australia, increasing cost efficiency for precision farmers.

Able to be installed onto existing tractors, the system essentially turns older t ractors into a self-driving machine that can follow accurate driving paths.

Powered by global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and real-time kinematics (RTK), the F100 system can achieve an accuracy of 2.5cm, even in low-light conditions – no matter what kind of path the farmer wants to follow.

It could be as simple as following a straight line, or making a U-turn, or more complex shapes and paths, the system allows a tractor to do it all by itself – with high accuracy and precision.

With this technology the possibilities are endless, it could be used to make

life easier when spraying or sowing, as well as automating the harrowing and harvesting processes.

Australian market

Already well-established and popular in European markets, Sveaverken has identified Australia as a landscape where the F100 could thrive.

“With rising economic pressures and increasing labour shortages, we believe there’s a huge need for more efficient automated agriculture systems,” Sveaverken vice president of global operations Felix Tian says.

“Our auto-steer system can increase the efficiency and lower the cost for farmers all around the country.”

There are already some farmers in Victoria and New South Wales that have adopted the F100 technology and have been thrilled with the benefits, Tian adds.

Some of the benefits which Tian says farmers have seen include savings of fuel, fertiliser and inputs such as seeds.

“This is because paths are pre-planned

and optimised, so any potential for human error is eliminated,” he says.

Without the potential of mistakes, it can help reduce farmer fatigue as they don’t have to concentrate as hard on the task at hand. This can then help to increase the wellbeing of Aussie farmers and make their lives easier when doing demanding work.

Without the use of the F100 Auto-Steer System, farmers must be highly focused in precision applications, but this technology allows them to sit back, relax and watch the technology do what it does best – achieving accurate paths.

In Europe, happy customers have said the technology has also helped them to improve their yields, while reducing the costs associated with precision farming, according to Sveaverken.

Features

Sveaverken’s F100 includes automatic terrain compensation that can adjust for slopes and bumps, ensuring lines stay precise – no matter the field conditions.

The technology is able to be retrofitted onto existing tractors

Images: Sveaverken

The system is ISOBUS compatible, with Tian saying that the technology not only controls a tractor, but also can communicate and control with other implements or equipment that are connected to the tractor.

This two-way communication eliminates the need for separate screens controlling different systems, and puts all valuable information in one place –known as the universal terminal.

“All the implements come to one screen, where you can see the data, progress and control everything,” Tian says.

“ We’re very excited about the progress of this feature, we believe it’s very important and valuable to Australian farmers.”

Various kinds of guidance line templates are included as part of the F100 system, giving customers more options to suit their needs. From straight lines to curved ones, and different U-turns, the F100 can follows the path – regardless of the shape of a farm.

An optional field management platform can also be included, which helps manage tasks, monitor progress and collect valuable data.

Readily available

Tian says he’s proud of the job that Sveaverken has done in making the F100 readily available to customers.

Helping more farmers get access to this kind of technology at an affordable price, he believes that a lot of other similar

Sveaverken’s farm management system monitors progress and collects data

technologies are only available for those farmers that are willing to spend big.

“A lot of these precision navigation technologies are quite expensive, and it makes it difficult for the majority of farmers to gain access to them,” Tian says.

We think we’ve done a pretty good job at helping more farmers adopt this

technology at a reasonable price.”

For those farmers open to new technologies and automation, the F100 is a match made in heaven, with Tian saying it can reduce the need for new machinery.

“Some farmers may be looking to buy a new sophisticated tractor that comes with auto-steering functions, but the

The F100 Auto Steer System follows guidance lines by itself

Farmers in Victoria and New South Wales are already using the F100

F100 reduces the need for a new machine, because it can be installed onto an existing tractor,” he says.

“The F100 serves as an upgrade on their tractor, to make it drive automatically.”

With farmers in Victoria and New South Wales already reaping the benefits of the F100 Auto Steer System, Tian expects many more across the nation to adopt this technology to make life easier for themselves.

“Imagine you’re sitting in a tractor and you don’t have to be fully focused on if it’s driving on a straight line, if you’re making too much overlap, if you missed a spot or if there’s too much gap,” he says.

“With the F100 Auto Steer System, it gets rid of all your accuracy worries.”

For more information on Sveaverken’s F100 Auto Steer System, head to www.sveaverken.com

Safe hands

As farmers look to get machinery out of the shed ahead of spring, BYPY Transmissions has the know-how to keep it running smoothly

BYPY Transmissions wants to get farmers out of the “she’ll be right” attitude when it comes to parts servicing.

Before farmers start to bring machinery out for a new season, BYPY says it is important that gearboxes, shafts and clutches are given adequate attention to ensure these oft-forgotten but crucial parts are functioning at their best.

“For a lot of farmers, as soon as they get their slasher out for the first time in spring every year, they just literally drag them out, put them behind the tractor, turn it on and hope for the best,” BYPY’s Ashley Male says.

“That’s not the way it should be done, so farmers need to think about this.

“With a lot of clutches on agricultural equipment, if they’re left out in the open, even during winter, they can actually rust up and basically form a solid connection instead of being a clutch.

“When farmers then expect that clutch to go off with an overload situation, it doesn’t. It can then break the machine and be a lot more costly in the long run.”

This year is shaping up as a particularly important one, Male believes, as the wider economic climate and tightening of belts will lead to more farmers looking to get additional use out of older equipment.

He says BYPY Transmissions is already seeing evidence of this occurring, making the need to adequately prepare this older machinery even more important.

“The economic environment is making people get some older equipment out of the shed and trying to get it up and service able again, and we’re seeing a little bit more of that already,” he says.

“I think this year is going to highlight this, due to the reduction of the instant tax write offs along with obviously the economic environment.

“Some of the shafts in this machinery may have sat for several years. Farmers will get the machine serviced, and they should service the shaft as well to make sure that’s operable rather than just pull it out of the shed and hope for the best.

“We can provide the services around doing that.”

While specialising in Bondioli & Pavesi products, BYPY can also test other clutches.

Image: BYPY Transmissions

BYPY’s shelves are stocked with a full range of spare parts for customers.

Image: Prime Creative Media

One of the many services which BYPY can offer comes through the state-of-theart clutch tester in which it has invested.

Imported from Europe, Male says BYPY invested around $30,000 to purchase the clutch tester and believes it is one of very few such testers in Australia.

Available at a “realistic charge” to customers, it enables BYPY to test and repair most clutches regardless of brand, giving customers a printed report on their clutch’s performance ahead of it being used.

BYPY is based in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong and welcomes customers from around the country sending their clutches to be assessed, tested and repaired if required.

“Safety is probably the primary concern with any of this equipment because it is so dangerous, and we don’t want people getting hurt using older equipment that is not up to the safety standards,” Male says.

“It also gives farmers the knowledge that it will work as it should when they’re going to start using it for the season.”

Safety covers are another area in which BYPY Transmissions is well versed, giving

BYPY specialises in the Bondioli & Pavesi product. Image: BYPY Transmissions

BYPY has invested in a state-of-theart clutch tester from Europe.

Image: BYPY Transmissions

farmers further confidence they are dealing with a company that can meet all their needs.

BYPY’s specialty is Bondioli & Pavesi, a brand used by many of the world’s leading agricultural machinery manufacturers and for which it is the Australian distributor.

The Italian-made Bondioli & Pavesi product is backed by over 70 years of history and is increasing in popularity in the likes of New Holland, Case IH and Kuhn machinery, Male says.

While quality European manufacturing makes Bondioli & Pavesi shafts well suited to Australian needs, Male says customers can come to BYPY for support regardless of their existing shaft brand.

“Not only do we have complete brandnew shafts, we do have the full range of spare parts to repair their existing Bondioli & Pavesi shafts and access to the market to get the parts to repair their shafts in general, regardless of the brand,” he says.

BYPY urges farmers to consider drive shaft maintenance. Image: BYPY Transmissions

Ruling the roost

A fleet of Bobcat telehandlers is ensuring a Queensland poultry company can get the job done every single time

There can be no greater endorsement of a machinery manufacturer than a realworld user staking his job on being able to use that brand exclusively.

For Woodlands Enterprises clean out manager Mick O’Keeffe, the fleet of Bobcat TL30.60 telehandlers which he oversees has proven such a winner that he simply would not consider doing the job without them.

“Put it this way – if the big boss said to me tomorrow ‘that’s it, we’re not buying any more Bobcats, we’re going to another brand’, I’d say ‘well I’m not the manager any more’,” O’Keeffe says.

“I wouldn’t do it and I can’t do it. It’s impossible. I mean every word of it.”

It is a huge call to make, but one which is based on several years of experience using Bobcat telehandlers, along with having previously test driven other brands for comparison.

Woodlands Enterprises is a major poultry producer based at Beerwah on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Daily life is a constant cycle of turning over chicken sheds for their next use, with O’Keeffe in charge of making sure the sheds are cleaned properly and sanitised, ready for the next lot of baby chickens to go in.

“We turn over probably 170 chicken sheds every couple of months with broilers, then we’ve also got our breeders and our layers as well,” he says.

“I’ll push out 15,000 cubic metres of manure every month - it’s a non-stop event, and I’ve got two full time crews running.”

These crews are operating a fleet of six Bobcat TL30.60 telehandlers, the first of which was purchased about five or six years ago, and which have excelled despite the constant work in tough conditions they are subjected to.

Given this, it is little surprise what O’Keeffe cites as the most important feature.

“Comfort is one of the big things, but I think the biggest thing I praise them for is the reliability. That’s a big factor for us,” he says.

“If I have a machine down for two or three days, that’s a big no-no because we are on a time schedule.

“I’ll get to a farm and it might have 10 sheds. I get a placement date saying the chickens are coming on the following Wednesday, so I’ve got until that Wednesday to get everything cleaned.

“We just can’t afford breakdowns because we’ve got chickens coming and we can’t stop that.”

The trusted telehandler for Woodlands - the Bobcat R-Series TL30.60 - offers a 3,000kg rated lift capacity, 5.8m lift height and 3.1m maximum reach.

Powered by a 100 horsepower (74kW) engine, it offers 90L/minute of auxiliary standard flow, while the unit itself weighs in at 5,300kg and measures 4.5m long, 2.1m wide and 2.14m high.

Like many machines, it has had subtle upgrades with each new year to add extra convenient features – many of which are making a difference for the Woodlands team.

Mick O’Keeffe’s Bobcat telehandler fleet is worked hard. Image: Mick O’Keeffe

Bobcat introduced the R-Series in 2021, with standout features including a five-inch LCD display, all-in-one joystick with improved ergonomics, plus intuitive automotive-style controls.

Another upgrade cited by the manufacturer when the R-Series was launched was a new engine hood with steeper profile, which along with the new dashboard design reduced blind spots and increased overall visibility.

O’Keeffe says this increased visibility has made a difference for Woodlands, also mentioning a change to the positioning of the windscreen wipers, which has removed a small gap in its coverage.

Two other changes also show Bobcat’s desire to innovate and meet real-world customer needs, O’Keeffe believes.

The first of these is reducing the time before the reverse fan kicks in from 30 minutes to 15.

“This is handy if you’re really in a dusty environment that it can come on,” he says.

“I’ve never had an issue with overheating, but they can obviously because they’re in a dusty shed.

“If the radiator is getting clogged up, you’ve got to hit that reverse fan so you

The telehandler excels in spaces which can be tricky to access. Image: Clark Equipment

The TL30.60’s controls are designed for easy use. Image: Mick O’Keeffe

clear everything and the machine can breathe, so that was a good thing that they changed that to 15 minutes.

“There’s also an override button, for instance, which they’ve moved and is a lot easier to get at if you do need it, which we very rarely do.

“Bobcat have certainly been thinking about them, put it that way. They are a good machine.”

Using telehandlers in the poultry industry creates a different set of circumstances and challenges compared to more ‘standard’ uses, such as broadacre farming, he says.

The first of these comes via the additional dust created in chicken sheds, which O’Keeffe mentioned in the context of its reverse fan, but he also praises the Bobcat’s reliability in terms of its air-conditioning in this environment.

“A chicken shed will be very dusty once the brooms start working, but the aircon just holds up,” he says.

“We do change the filters every 500 hours, but it holds up and it keeps cold.

“With every other brand I’ve tried, you get to 500 hours and the aircon is no good so you’ve got it in the workshop for three days trying to fix it, because you can’t

have no aircon in a chicken shed.”

Telehandlers, by definition, are designed to reach heights which other machines cannot – however their use in a poultry setting means they must do so while being low-profile and nimble enough to work comfortably in tight spaces and under a chicken shed roof.

Once again, Bobcat passes this test with flying colours for O’Keeffe and the Woodlands team, thanks in part to the flexibility of using different sized wheels for specific needs in their fleet.

“I’ve got a couple with 20-inch wheels on, which I use for the broiler farms, and

Bobcat’s TL30.60 has a low profile for use under roofs.

Image: Clark Equipment

we’ve put 17-inch wheels on the other ones, which we can get under nesting boxes and all that sort of thing,” O’Keeffe says.

“They’re not too high and they fit in the shed perfectly, and also you need something that’s going to also reach into a truck.

“My main truck we use is 4.2m high, so you’ve got to get that telescopic boom up over top of it as well and they fit that bill perfectly.”

Bobcat telehandlers are distributed nationally by Bobcat Australia, which is a division of Clark Equipment.

O’Keeffe’s nearest branch is Clark Equipment Sunshine Coast, based at Kunda Park.

He is full of praise for the entire team’s service, particularly the branch’s service coordinator.

“I can ring Amanda up and she’ll juggle things - she will either be there that afternoon or the next morning first up,” he says.

“I can’t fault them.”

The full Bobcat range can be viewed at www.bobcatofaustralia.com.au

Harvest plans

WA co-operative grain exporter CBH is providing growers with an online software to map their crop and hectares planted – enabling accurate harvest plans

Said to be Australia’s largest co-operative and grain exporter, CBH is owned by 3,500 Western Australian (WA) grain growing businesses.

As a leading agribusiness, CBH operates the grain supply chain in WA on behalf of its members – from upcountry storage and handling, transport and logistics, port terminals, marketing and trading, shipping, fertiliser and grain processing.

Ahead of the upcoming harvest season, CBH has put the annual call out to growers to submit their hectares planned

for 2024/25 through an online software system.

Paddock Planner

Paddock Planner is an interactive online software package that allows growers to map their properties and enter what hectares and crop they have planted – down to a paddock-by-paddock level.

This enables CBH to better prepare and plan for harvest, while also aiding it in making more informed long-term network decisions.

FARMING

Growers can access this software by logging into their account on CBH’s online transaction portal – LoadNet – which CBH chief operations officer Mick Daw says makes doing business with the company easier.

“It is important that growers tell us what they have planted so we can plan accordingly and to enable the network to operate as efficiently as possible,” he says.

“Growers can adjust their hectares at any time in Paddock Planner as the season progresses, and it’s helpful for us if they

Newdegate grower Rochell Walker has been using CBH’s online software since 2019

FARMING

start letting us know early what they have planted.”

In previous years, Daw says some sites experienced grain delivery amounts that were more than what had been submitted – which had the potential to result in short falls and to impact services to growers at those sites.

By submitting hectares and crops planted into the software, Daw says the in formation provides CBH with a better level of accuracy and validation that facilitates its long-term investment in storage.

Daw says the role Paddock Planner played in identifying the need to build 95,000 tonnes of additional permanent storage at CBH’s Munglinup site in the Espe rance Zone is the perfect example of this.

“This investment will cater for a growing crop size, broaden the site’s service offer ing for growers and enhance supply chain agility within the Esperance Zone,” Daw says.

The online software also identified CBH’s Shark Lake receival site in the Esperance Zone as a precinct that needed to increase its permanent storage capacity.

“The information helped us identify where grain deliveries were coming from and gave us the confidence to expand the site with 157,000 tonnes of permanent storage to accommodate the needs of growers in the area,” Daw says.

Increased up-take

Now in its eighth year of using Paddock Planner, Daw says CBH is seeing a con tinued increase in the use of the online software.

Newdegate grower Rochell Walker has been using the software since 2019 and has seen value in the program both on farm and for CBH.

“We’ve been using Paddock Planner for a several years now and the process is really quick and simple,” she says.

“You just enter the commodity, variety and start creating your paddocks – the preloaded data helps make the process even quicker.”

Emphasising how easy the tool is to use, Walker says she has used it to help CBH plan for her deliveries this season.

“It really helps to inform segregation decisions based on our real information,” she says.

Whilst helping both growers and CBH accurately plan for harvest, Daw says Pad dock Planner is also playing a key role for

Growers can use Paddock Planner to map their properties and enter what hectares and crop they have planted

CBH in achieving its ‘Path to 2033’ strategy target of exporting a peak of three million tonnes per month by 2033.

Daw reinforces that the Paddock Planner software is straightforward to use and says that growers can adjust their hectares planted as the season progresses.

“Knowing what growers have planted is critical for CBH to offer the services and segregations they need locally on site.”

Growers who need help submitting their hectares planted can call the CBH Grower Service Centre on 1800 199 083 or their area manager.

FARMING

The data entered provides CBH with a better level of accuracy that facilitates investment in storage

CBH is owned by 3,500 Western Australian grain growing businesses

tronics, engine control unit (ECU) and sensors clusters, Ragenovich says mechanical lever controls make it much easier for farmers to operate and maintain.

“The functions of the grader range are simplistic, so any farmer can operate it without the complicated electronics seen

Most of BMES’ grader customers own rural and heavily isolated farms, Ragenovich says, so if breakdowns ever occur these farmers need to be able to work on

Ragenovich says the Hercules range is well-suited to these farmers, being easy to maintain and able to be worked on without any of the training that may be required for other graders.

“The Hercules range are built for the Australian outback and isolated farms, so in the unfortunate event of a breakdown, maintenance can be done easily,” he says.

Having the ability to perform maintenance by themselves, Hercules grader customers can reduce the costs of calling

The HG140 has the largest blade in the range at 14 feet (4.3m) long

One of the optional attachments available are 360-degree bush guards

out external parties, such as mechanics, air conditioning specialists and hydraulic fitters.

Easy and quick maintenance also makes for reduced downtime and increased on-farm productivity, so farmers never waste a second with their Hercules machines.

“These graders don’t rely on ECU sensors, so they’re straightforward and easy to maintain without needing special software to repair them,” Ragenovich says.

“If there’s ever a breakdown, you don’t need a program or a computer to plug into the ECU to see what’s wrong.”

To complement the ease-of-maintenance that the Hercules machines provide, BMES and Hercules provide a ‘one stop shop’ for parts, attachments and servicing.

With dedicated staff, BMES and Hercules have everything on-hand for farmers needing to maintain their machinery.

Attachments

All Hercules grader models come with a host of optional factory attachments. One example of this is a hydraulic front blade, that can tilt left to right in addition to the

up and down motion that the standard blades provide.

Optional scarifiers and three-tyne or five-tyne hydraulic rear rippers are also offered as heavy-duty attachments, easily capable of loosening and breaking up hardened soil.

For farmers wanting extra safety features, 360-degree bush guards are also offered, providing enhanced protection inside the cabin.

With increased popularity in the Hercules graders, it seems that the success of the Hercules loader range in Australia has contributed to further diversification – a new dozer range.

“Hercules machinery will be bringing two new dozer models to Australia pretty soon,” Ragenovich says.

“The Hercules brand has been a success story throughout Australia, starting off with its loaders, it’s now been successful with its graders, and we hope the same can be said for the dozers.”

For more information on the Hercules grader range available from BMES, visit www.brisbaneminiexcavators.com.au or call (07) 3807 4333.

The Hercules grader range is available from Yatala-based Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales

All Hercules grader models come with a host of optional factory attachments

Jetland Ramps: easy does it

Jetland Loading Ramps aims to provide easy access to a variety of products suitable to all agricultural needs

Agriculture can be complex, but Jetland Loading Ramps aims to make one part of the job easy.

Firstly, by offering a huge variety of ramps, farmers can shop with confidence knowing that something will be available to suit their individual needs.

Next, Jetland offers free delivery around Australia to any commercial address with loading facilities, while the company also has access to a network of depots where its products can be delivered.

For those within the vicinity of Melbourne, free pickup can also be organised from Jetland’s warehouse in the south-eastern suburb of Mordialloc – meaning a customer could be using their new ramp on the same day as it is purchased.

Its ramps are designed to be strong and robust enough to handle the heavy ma-

chinery moved around Australian farms such as tractors and excavators, while simultaneously being lightweight enough to ensure they are portable.

As a result, Jetland’s ramps are increasingly appealing to Australian farmers –a long with more urban environments such as earthmoving contractors and plumbing businesses.

Its ramps can be divided into four different series – A, B, C and D - all of which are bu ilt to handle Australian conditions.

Jetland’s A Series ramps are suitable for rubber track machines and models are available with load capacities between 2 and 6 tonnes and in lengths between 2.5m and 4.5m.

The B Series is suitable for rubber track and rubber tyre machines. This is available in 2 to 6 tonne load capacities and 1.8m to 4.5m lengths.

Like the B Series, Jetland’s C Series is also suitable for both rubber track and rubber tyre machines but it offers an increased capability.

C Series ramps come with 4 to 21 tonne load capacities and 2.5m to 4.5m lengths.

Jetland’s heaviest duty offering, the D Series, is suitable for steel track, rubber pads on steel, rubber track and rubber tyre machines, and is available in 2.5m to 4.8m lengths.

These ramps are one of Jetland’s star attractions, having also recently been upgraded to support much heavier loads.

Designed by Japanese engineers, the D Series now supports up to 42 tonnes, where it was previously only rated up to 21 tonnes.

Jetland says this makes it the only 42-tonne rated loading ramp available in Australia and also highlights the company’s commitment to innovation.

Jetland’s ramps make it easier for farmers to transport tractors

Images:

Jetland

While the nature of a customer’s machinery - such as its track or tyre style, overall weight and length - will largely determine which ramp is best suited, Jetland says there are also other factors to look at when making a decision.

The company says it is important for customers to consider the machine wheelbase when evaluating their ramp loading capacity.

Jetland also advises that a customer should choose a ramp with an internal width that is at least 5cm wider than the wheels or tracks of the loaded machinery.

Regardless of which path a customer ultimately goes down, they can be assured t hat high-quality aluminium in the ramps and various safety features have created a product which will meet their needs.

The Jetland team has ensured its ramps not only meet but exceed safety standards, firstly being fitted with safety pins to g uarantee the ramp remains securely in place during use.

The ramps also feature anti-slip surfaces, helping to provide maximum traction for vehicles and machinery during both loading and unloading.

Other features available across various Jetland models include a non-skid surface, flat rungs for smooth loading and heavy-duty raised tread on flat rungs.

All Jetland ramps are also backed up by a 12-month warranty, giving users additional peace of mind in their purchase.

For a company that provides ramps for everything from ATVs through to 42-tonne machinery beasts, along with other items such as walk ramps, the choice can be overwhelming.

The choice of four different series, plus a host of models and sizes in each, means that Jetland’s expertise can be invaluable in helping farmers decide exactly what they need.

In addition to providing excellent customer support, Jetland’s website is also a significant resource.

Rather than just providing a generic catalogue, it is continually updated to reflect t he stock which is physically available in its Melbourne warehouse.

This means that customers can browse and purchase with confidence, knowing what they see is what they can immediately get – rather than finding the perfect ramp before ending back at square one due to it being unavailable.

The company’s full range, along with delivery options, can be viewed online at www.jetlandramps.com.au, while its warehouse is located at the rear of 211219 Boundary Road, Mordialloc.

Four series of ramps are available, depending on individual needs

Jetland offers ramps rated up to 42 tonnes

Skid steers are another popular machine for Jetland ramps

Sustainable solution

Using government and industry approved models, Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Farm Emissions Profile helps farmers understand the source of their emissions

When sugarcane farmer Christian Lago wanted to measure his on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, he turned to his Nutrien advisers.

With increasing pressures to reduce these on-farm emissions in response to the COP21 Paris Agreement and Australia’s national target of net zero by 2050, farming businesses like Lago’s may need to understand their own GHG footprint sooner rather than later.

According to Nutrien Ag Solutions, Australia’s agricultural industry accounts for approximately 14 per cent of the nation’s total GHG emissions.

While online calculators offer insights into this information, Nutrien Ag Solutions sustainability field manager for Queensland and New South Wales, Charles Starkings, says accuracy and consistency are important.

“The quality of the output of digital tools is dependent on the data input, every farm is unique and many tools don’t offer the flexibility that is required to perform these complex calculations - this can lead to a

misleading output,” Starkings says.

Instead of farmers doing complicated calculations on their own, Nutrien Ag Solutions offers a solution, combining the knowledge of Nutrien’s local farm advisors and its team of sustainable farming specialists, with its Farm Emissions Profile.

It uses government and industry approved models to help farmers understand the source of their emissions and put that data into a context that is more understandable.

On-farm benefits

Lago worked with Starkings to develop a Farm Emissions Profile for his sugarcane operation, based in far North Queensland.

The third-generation farmer says the insights have helped inform his priorities for future emissions reduction activities.

The report showed that most of his emissions were due to the application of nitrogen fertilisers, then highlighted techniques for reducing these nitrogen losses.

“We wanted to get an understanding of how our farming carbon footprint is calcu-

lated, and what the major contributors are in our system,” Lago says.

“It was a very informative process and demonstrated that while we’re on the right track, there are some areas where we can concentrate our efforts to achieve better environmental outcomes.”

Quite often it can be difficult to paint the full picture of a farm business through data alone, which is why Starkings says Nutrien Ag Solutions will often follow up with additional conversations to make sure the information is an accurate representation of the business.

“Pressures to reduce overall net farm emissions may increase in the future,” Starkings says.

“The key for us for now, is to help farmers create strategies to reduce emissions, while improving their productivity and input use efficiency.”

Emissions profile

By speaking to Nutrien Ag Solutions’ sustainable farming specialists, farming businesses can use the Farms Emissions

Nutrien Ag Solutions sustainability field manager Charles Starkings says a Farm Emissions Profile will help businesses understand the source of their emissions

Images:

FARMING

to be asked about their emission profiles, particularly from finance providers, grain accumulators and retailers in the red meat and horticultural industries.

“This will only increase as the pressures

about their footprint and what it means for their business, this report can help them understand where their business stands and what can be done to reduce emissions. Using data capture forms that ask

questions in an intuitive way, Starkings says confidentiality is provided given the sensitive nature of this information.

By providing confidentiality, Nutrien Ag Solutions can have conversations with farm businesses, discussing the data in a comfortable environment.

“Once we tell businesses what the key drivers of emissions are and how they can improve their footprint, they can use this information to inform the farm strategy,”

“There’s going to be more data sharing with the supply chains, but the overarching message we want to send is that improving productivity and efficiency of the inputs farmers use will benefit an emis-

As mentioned, the agricultural industry accounts for 14 per cent of Australia’s total

According to Nutrien Ag Solutions, 77 per cent of that total is due to the emission of methane, 19 per cent to the emission of nitrous oxide, and the remaining 4 per cent to the emission of carbon dioxide.

Starkings says the main source of the methane emissions is enteric methane, a by-product of the natural digestive process of livestock such as cattle and sheep.

Nitrous oxide emissions are a result of losses of nitrogen from the soil, through denitrification, while carbon dioxide emissions can come from lime and urea use.

For more information on Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Farm Emissions Profile, visit www.nutrienagsolutions.com.au or contact the regional sustainability field

North East sustainability field manager

Charles Starkings – 0438 400 988

South East sustainability field manager

Todd Price – 0418 508 755

West sustainability field manager

Kirsty Smith – 0428 637 242

Christian Lago (right) is one farmer that has benefited from the Farm

Fuelling flights

Australian farmers could play a key role in moves to decarbonise the nation’s aviation industry, which also presents a huge economic opportunity. Jackson Haddad takes a deep dive into what sustainable aviation fuel is and how it could provide farmers with a new revenue stream.

With increased pressures to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the global aviation industry is looking towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the future.

M ixed in small amounts with aviation fuel – known as kerosene – SAF can power an aircraft with fewer emissions produced than kerosene used on its own.

A irbus chief representative for Australia and the Pacific, Stephen Forshaw, says aircrafts are currently certified to fly with up to a 50 per cent blend of SAF.

“The beauty of SAF is that you can blend

it with kerosene fuel, and it will power an aircraft, no matter if it’s a one per cent SAF blend or solely powered by SAF,” Forshaw says.

“For every litre of kerosene that is replaced with SAF, an 80 to 90 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved.”

Due to Australia’s isolation from most other countries, Forshaw says most of our flights are long-distance and has led to Australia being the eighth largest consumer of aviation fuel in the world.

Aviation’s contribution to the nation’s emissions is forecast to rise, Forshaw says, as efforts to transition the electricity generation to renewables deliver lower emissions from power generation.

Since SAF is made from agricultural waste and food products, such as wheat, sugarcane and used cooking oils, the production of this fuel would help decarbonise the aviation industry and presents a huge economic opportunity for Australian farmers.

Agricultural waste can be used to create sustainable aviation fuel.

Image: Airbus

Farm fuel

Although it is not currently produced in Australia, Forshaw insists that our agricultural industry would be perfect to fuel a SA F industry, and to potentially create a new revenue stream.

Waste products would be sold to SAF producers, who would then either extract fatty acids, or distil sugars from the waste, to create the lower carbon intensity fuel.

The Airbus chief representative estimates that 18,000 jobs could be created because of this, which would all be in regional a nd rural areas – benefiting farmers and the agricultural industry.

“This opportunity would essentially turn the farming sector’s waste into a new fuel source which could contribute $13 billion to Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) annually,” Forshaw says.

Still a very new technology, Forshaw estimates that less than one per cent of the world’s current aviation fuel is made as SAF.

This is because there is little available global quantity, which means SAF comes at a premium price. Due to this, Forshaw says airlines like Qantas use a one or two per cent blend when re-fuelling overseas.

With such a small percentage of SAF being used on commercial flights, Forshaw is concerned that it’s not going to be enough to make a meaningful impact in reducing emissions.

“If larger amounts of SAF aren’t adopted and no changes are made, aviation fuel will become one of the largest contributors to Australia’s emissions within the next two decades,” he says.

To combat this, Forshaw is adamant that SAF should be produced in Australia, due to the size of our agricultural industry and the large amounts of biomass a lready produced.

Seizing the opportunity

What Forshaw finds concerning about the SAF industry is not the fuel itself, but that Australia is falling behind in its development and production.

There’s big SAF projects already happening in Europe, USA, Singapore and Japan,” Forshaw says.

“We’ve got a long way to catch up and if we do nothing, we’re going to face the consequences of missing a huge economic opportunity.”

FARMING

Currently, large amounts of Australia’s agricultural waste are sold to Singapore, which Forshaw says is already embracing the SAF opportunity.

I f Australia doesn’t also seize the opportunity, the SAF inputs will continue to be sold to other countries and the agricultural industry will lose the opportunity for new jobs and revenue.

“Singapore has built a one billion litre per year SAF refinery that is ready to start operating,” Forshaw says.

“They don’t have the biomass that we do, so if we don’t start producing SAF in Australia, they will keep importing our agricultural waste to produce their own.

“We risk losing the opportunity to faster-moving countries.”

A s the domestic demand for SAF grows, it is critical for Australia to have its own supply, rather than importing it from other countries – which Australia exports to in the first place.

Aiming to kickstart this movement, Airbus and Qantas have entered a partnership where $US200 million is being i nvested into Australian companies looking to develop and produce SAF.

Stephen Forshaw, Airbus chief representative for Australia and the Pacific. Image: Airbus

FARMING

Airbus and Qantas are investing in Australian companies looking to develop SAF. Image: Airbus

One of the companies that’s reaping the benefits is Jet Zero Australia.

Australian SAF refinery

Jet Zero is looking at developing a SAF refinery in far north Queensland, using a solution known as alcohol-to-jet (ATJ), which is ethanol created by sugars in agricultural food products.

T he original company which developed the ATJ technology, US-based LanzaJet, has signed a licence and engineering

agreement to allow Jet Zero to use their ATJ technology in Australia.

The north Queensland facility is forecasted to be three times the size of LanzaJet’s F reedom Pines facility in Georgia, USA.

“This presents an opportunity for farmers to sell their waste products into a supply chain that ultimately ends up as SAF,” Forshaw says.

“If they’re not getting the prices they want on their other products, then they have optionality by selling to SAF producers.”

In order for the fuel to be classified as sustainable, the inputs can’t be taken from the human food supply chain. He says this is because there is a fine line between solving the problem of decarbonisation and creating another one – reducing the food available to the global population.

“There will be all sorts of agricultural waste that are inedible and are being thrown out,” he says.

“This waste could have value for Australian farmers.”

Looking to the future, Forshaw hopes the aviation industry will rely on SAF without being blended with kerosene.

“If Australia doesn’t take up this opportunity, our rich and valuable commodities will be exported, allowing someone else to add the value, and we’ll have to re-import the finished product,” he says.

“I would like Australia to look at SAF and realise how critical it is to us in our ability to decarbonise, but also in providing economic opportunities for the ag ricultural industry.”

LanzaJet’s Freedom Pines SAF facility in Georgia, USA. Image:

Small wins

Tractor sales declined further in July, however smaller tractors recorded an increase compared to this time last year

Sales of agricultural tractors were down again in the month of July, with just over 800 units sold across Australia.

This was 7 per cent less than the same month last year and brings the year-todate position to a level which is 28 per cent behind the corresponding period in 2023.

As the TMA flagged last month, June 2023 was the last month of the federal government’s temporary full expensing program which saw last minute sales at unprecedented levels.

The TMA now has the basis for a more realistic comparison, which shows ongoing softness in the sales picture.

Expectations for the full year are of fewer than 12,000 units being sold across the nation.

Looking at the state-by-state picture, Queensland enjoyed a solid month and was up 8 per cent against the same month last year to now sit 23 per cent behind for the year to date. Victoria was also up, this month by 13 per cent, to be

25 per cent below last year overall. New South Wales was down 29 per cent and remains 37 per cent behind for the year, while Western Australia reported a small rise of 3 per cent to be down 15 per cent compared with the same time last year.

South Australia had another big drop of 26 per cent and is now down 32 per cent for the year to date.

Tasmania was off 4 per cent for the month and sales in the Northern Territory finished 40 per cent down.

Sales in each of the reporting categories were well down this month, except for the small under-40hp (under-30kW) category, which was up by 22 per cent and now sits 22 per cent behind for the year to date.

The 40hp to 100hp (30-75kW) range was down again, this time by 24 per cent, and is now 39 per cent behind for the year to date.

The 100hp to 200hp (75-150kW) category was down 6 per cent in July to be 28 per cent off for the year and finally, the

200hp plus (150kW plus) range was 11 per cent down compared to the same month last year and is now 16 per cent behind for the year to date.

Sales of combine harvesters are off to a slow start and remain 48 per cent behind the same time last year.

Baler sales enjoyed a small bounce, up 17 per cent for the month, but remain 17 per cent behind year to date.

Sales of out-front mowers were again up, this time by around 5 per cent in the month.

TMA conference

This year’s TMA conference was held in July and around 200 delegates attended the event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

Speakers’ presentations can be found on the TMA website and the association again thanks its sponsors for their ongoing support.

You can also follow the TMA on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Sales of under-40hp tractors recorded an increase in July.

Need for feed

A growing global middle class will be a major driver of increased grain demand, according to WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington

Let me explore the potential of the world’s growing global population to drive the long-term price of cereals from its current price of US$6.64 a bushel to above the magical US$10 mark.

If I were any good at predictions, I would be sitting on a big yacht in Monte Carlo writing this. But if nothing else, the following should be food for thought.

Let’s start by looking back at the history of global grain prices. Adjusted for inflation, from 1960 to today, the prices of the four biggest crops have declined in real terms, meaning the “good old days” were indeed better than today when it came to making a dollar out of farming.

This is counterintuitive, given that in 1960 there were vastly fewer people in the world to feed.

With a rapidly growing world population, why haven’t grain prices risen as fast or faster than the globe’s population? The answer is that farmers got better at farming faster than the world got better at growing its population.

increased 2.5 times, while food production has increased 3.7 times.

In simple terms, this means per capita food production was nearly 50 per cent higher in 2020 than in 1960.

So where are we today with global population growth, and what’s coming over the horizon? Fortunately, someone is keeping count, because as of August 7, 2024, there were 8,123,315,575 souls on planet Earth—a number that is increasing by 70 million a year, or 192,000 a day.

This is equivalent to adding the population of the combined Wheatbelt and Great Southern in Western Australia to the world’s headcount every single day.

Another way of looking at it is that Australia produces enough food to feed around 70 million people at our standard caloric intake, which happens to be equivalent to one year of global population growth.

Trevor Whittington is CEO of WAFarmers

At this rate, we will need five Australias by 2030, as we are on track to add 350 million people by the end of the decade, which is equivalent to the entire population of the United States.

If we extend this to 2050, that number goes up to 1.7 billion additional people on planet Earth, which is like adding the population of Europe and Africa over the next 25 years.

By any measure something has to give sooner or later. Scientists are smart, but they are not that smart.

Eventually, the race between production and population will swing back towards population growth when the production can’t keep up.

Since 1960, the global population has Grain production will need to keep increasing to feed a growing middle class. Image: LiveLove/stockadobe.com

All the world needs to do is add Australia’s farm output every year to be able to keep up with the global increase in population.

In fact, if the environmentalists get their way with their mad net-zero targets, this shift may happen sooner rather than later, if government climate policies are strictly enforced on farm production systems.

Putting aside climate change policies, there is another factor in the new “population bomb” that is going to help drive up g lobal grain prices beyond simply having more mouths to feed -and that is how wealthy and greedy those mouths are.

Currently, around 115 million people are joining the global middle class each year.

The best part is that most of them seem to be emerging in the right countries for our exports.

Guess what? They are just above us on the map. India, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, and the Philippines - all within easy sailing distance for our grain and, for a few more years, our livestock ships.

We can already see this happening. A key indicator of what’s changing in the global grain market is the rapid growth in demand for animal feed. From 2010 to 2020, the amount of grain used for animal feed rose from 770 million tonnes per year to 987 million, rapidly catching up to the amount consumed by humans.

According to someone’s calculations, if the world’s pig population were a standalone country, it would rank at the very top

of the grain-consumption league tables, chomping through as much grain as 2 billion people.

This is good news for us, but not so good news for the climate catastrophists and others worrying about livestock methane emissions.

What’s the split between population growth and middle-income growth as a global driver of demand?

The statisticians tell us that population growth accounts for most of this increase in demand, but only just – at 54 per cent. The rest is due to people getting wealthier and eating more of everything, but particularly meat.

In the 20 years up to 2018, developing

50Kmtransmission Frontsuspension 110L/Mhydrulics. S759. TA1190033. $218,000

$14,990INCGST LEYLAND TERRIER 1980, Verygood condition for its age Airbrakes Goodsolidtray Runsanddrives verywell .S813. TA1222975. $14,990

countries accounted for around 85 per cent of the rise in global meat consumption, while meat consumption in the developed world seems to have plateaued, thanks to the influence of vegans plus an aging population.

To show how much upside is possible in a developing country, between 1998 and 2018, Chinese meat consumption increased by 72 per cent while their population grew just 12 per cent.

W hat’s the takeaway? We might have avoided the population bomb, but I suspect we won’t avoid the middle-class bomb. In fact, let’s hope it goes off with a big bang and drives up the global grain prices to the US$10 a bushel mark.

$19,990INCGST

$23,000INCGST

KUBOTA F3690-AU-SN 4-cylinder36HP Diesel 4WDc/wdifflock

4postroof Hydraulicdecklift Powersteering Airsuspension seat 72"reardischarge deck Justhadamajor serviceandnew blades.S804. TA1220460. $18,990 CASE580SUPER RSeries2 2006, Extendablearmon hydraulics, Workshopservice andcheck.S784. TA1203327. $42,990

KUBOTA RTV-X900W-A 2019,Oneowner RTV-X900W Hydraulictipper 3cylinderdiesel Powersteering High/Lowrange Difflock Roof windscreen Towbar Verylowhours. S811. TA1222968. $23,000

Events Calendar

Here are upcoming field day and agricultural events for 2024. Information was current as of going to press.

Royal Adelaide ShowWayville, SA

Established in 1839, the Royal Adelaide Show is now South Australia’s largest ticketed event. Attracting on average around 500,000 people, the Royal Adelaide Show hosts more than 450 exhibitor stands and offers businesses a once-a-year opportunity to expand into new markets, boost revenue and significantly increase their brand awareness.

When: August 31-September 8, 2024

More info: www.theshow.com.au

Berry Small Farm Field Days –Berry, NSW

Held at one of the most attractive showgrounds in NSW, the Berry Small Farm Field Days is one of the cutest field days on the Australian calendar. With equipment and machinery displays, demonstrations and farm animals galore, this is an event for everyone.

When: September 6-7, 2024

More info: berryrotary.org.au/ small-farm-field-day

Henty Machinery Field DaysHenty, NSW

Located in the heart of southern NSW, Henty attracts the best of the best when it comes to farm machinery, agribusiness and rural living. More than 60,000 people flock to Henty Machinery Field Days each year and for good reason – book this one in your calendar.

When: September 17-19, 2024

More info: hmfd.com.au

Riverland Field DaysBarmera, SA

Held over a two day period, the Riverland Field Days are a staple in the region. With over 350 exhibitors and approximately 30 caterers, there is something for the whole family. The field days include the latest in agricultural machinery, equipment and services, demonstrations, information sessions, activities, entertainment, tastings, trade exhibits and much more. When: September 13-14, 2024

More info: riverlandfielddays.com.au

Agrotrend - Bundaberg, Qld

Agrotrend provides two days of farming and lifestyle-focused activities for the whole family to enjoy, whether you are keen to check out and invest in the latest farming technologies or after a great afternoon out with the family. Events include an alpaca competition, agility dog display, poultry show, vehicle displays and the Rum City Vintage Machinery Display.

When: September 20-21, 2024

More info: agrotrend.com.au

Royal Melbourne ShowMelbourne, VIC

The Royal Melbourne Show is Victoria’s largest showcase of agriculture and is conducted annually by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV). Visitors to the Royal Melbourne Show will be entertained all day with a huge range of all-inclusive, interactive and fun activities and attractions.

When: September 26-October 6, 2024

More info: royalshow.com.au

Elmore Field Days - Elmore, Vic

From humble beginnings in 1964, Elmore Field Days has gained recognition as one of Australia’s premier agricultural Field Days. Elmore Field Days is focused on providing an unbiased service to agriculture and community with flow on economic benefit to regional areas.

When: October 1-3, 2024

More info: elmorefielddays.com.au

World Dairy Expo - Wisconsin, USA

World Dairy Expo serves as a forum for dairy producers, companies, organisations and other dairy enthusiasts to come together to compete, and to exchange ideas, knowledge, technology and commerce.

When: October 1-4, 2024

More info: worlddairyexpo.com

World’s Biggest Tractor unveiling - Carnamah, WA

The Big Tractor Project and the North Midlands Agricultural Society are teaming up to host a day to unveil the World’s Biggest Tractor. At Niven Park, the Country Carnival will entertain guests where they can enjoy food and entertainment all afternoon, along with agricultural themed games, food vans, artisan stalls, children’s activities and live music.

When: October 5, 2024

More info: carnamah.wa.gov.au

Wandin Silvan Field DaysWandin East, VIC

Wandin Silvan Field Days’ focus

Images:

is showcasing horticultural and agricultural producers and their products and services. This enables visitors to have direct contact with the local growers and producers of this region.

When: October 11-12, 2024

More info: wandinsilvanfielddays.com.au

Shepparton ShowShepparton, VIC

Running since 1899, the Shepparton Agricultural Show is a family-focused event with animal shows, arts and crafts, horticulture, competitions and more.

When: October 11-12, 2024

More info: sheppshow.com.au

Visit

Elmore Field Days will again be held in the northern Victorian town

WANTED TO BUY TRACTORS FOR WRECKING

CASE

585, 595, 685, 695, 800, 830, 832, 870 2WD, 885, 895, 900, 930, 932, 956, 970, 1030, 1032, 1070, 1194, 1270, 1370, 1390, 1394, 1594, 1690, 2090, 2094, 2096, 2290, 2290, 2294, 2390, 2394, 2470, 2590, 2594, 2670, 2870, 3394, 3594, 4230, 4496, 4694, 4994, 7110, 7210, CVX 170, CX60, MAGNUM 275, MAGNUM 290, MAGNUM 305, MX80C, MX255, MX285, PUMA, STX 375 QUADTRACK, STX425, STX440 QUADTRACK, STX450, STX485, STX500

CASE IH

1896, 4690, 4890, 4894, 5120, 5130, 5140, 5150, 7120, 7130, 7140, 7150, 7220, 7230, 7240, 7250, 8910, 8920, 8930, 8940, 8950, 9130, 9150, 9170, 9180, 9250, 9260, 9280, 9350, 9370 QUADTRACK, 9380 QUADTRACK, 9390, MX90, MX130, MX135, MX150, MX230, MX240, MX200, MX220, MXM175, MX270, MXM190, STX375, STX440, STX480

CATERPILLAR

CHALLENGER SERIES – 35, 45, 55, 65, 65C, 75, 75C, 75E, 85C, 85D, 95E, 65E TRACK MACHINE, MT765D, MT765C, MT865C

FORD

3000, 3610, 4000, 4600, 4610, 5000, 5610, 5640, 6000, 6600, 6610, 6700, 6810, 7000, 7600, 7700, 7710, 7840, 8000, 8210, 8230, 8340, 8401, 8600, 8700, 9000, 9600, 9700,, TW5, TW10, TW15, TW20, TW25, TW30

INTERNATIONAL

385, 414, 434, 444, 484, 514, 554, 564, 574, 585, 624, 660, 674, 686, 696, 706, 756,766, 786, 856, 866, 885, 886, 956, 976, 986, 1056, 1066, 1086, 1256, 1466, 1468, 1486, 1566, 1568, 1586, 3288, 3388, 3588, 3688, 3788, 4166, 4186, 4366, 4386, 4568, 4586, 4786, 5088, 5288, 5488, 6388, 6588, 6788, 844S, AW6, AW7, AWD6, AWD7, B250, B275, W6, W7,

JOHN DEERE

950, 1050, 1130, 1140, 1640, 1750, 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2250, 2450, 2650, 2850, 3010, 3020, 3120, 3130, 3140, 3350, 3640, 3650, 4010, 4020, 4030, 4040, 4050, 4055, 4230, 4240, 4250, 4255, 4430, 4440, 4450, 4455, 4555, 4560, 4620, 4630, 4640, 4650, 4755, 4760, 4840, 4850, 4955, 4960, 5010, 5020, 5310, 5515, 5300, 6030, 6110, 6170R, 6200, 6220, 6300, 6310, 6320, 6330, 6400, 6410, 6620, 6630 Premium, 6810, 6820, 7210, 7330, 7510, 7520, 7600, 7610, 7700, 7800, 7810, 7920, 7930, 8100, 8200, 8230, 8285R, 8300, 8310, 8320R, 8330, 8345RT, 8360RT, 8370RT, 8400, 8400 TRACK, 8410, 8430, 8440, 8450, 8520, 8520T, 8530, 8630, 8640, 8650, 8760, 8770, 8850, 8960, 8970, 9400, 9410R, 9420T, 9430T

NEW HOLLAND

7840, 8430, 8560, 8870, 8970, 9482, 9682, 9860, 9880, 9882, 9482, 9484, G210, G240, L85, L95, T6020, T7030, TG230, TG235, TG255, TG285, TJ375, TJ425, TJ450, TL70, TL90, TM125, TM135, TM195, TN55D, TN95F, TS100, TS100A, TS110A, TS125A, T9060

STEIGER

KP525, KP 1350, KP1325, KP1400, BEARCAT 3 & 4, COUGAR 2 & 4 CM250, PANTHER 2, PANTHER 3 ST310 & ST325, PANTHER 4 CM325, TIGER ST470,

VERSATILE

500, 700, 800, 835, 836, 855, 875, 895, 900, 935, 945, 946, 950, 956, 975, 976, 1150, 1156

Jaw dropper

An 11.5m tall Chamberlain 40K replica, said to the world’s largest tractor, will be unveiled at an event in Western Australia

On October 5, the Big Tractor Project and the North Midlands Agricultural Society will unveil what they say is the world’s biggest tactor in Carnamah, Western Australia.

The 11.5m tall tractor is a large replica of the Chamberlain 40K, which holds holds significant history in WA, as it was the first tractor to be built in the state.

Currently being finished off by Diab Engineering, Geraldton, the huge orange tractor i s the culmination of a long-time dream of Bob Lukins, one of the founding members of the Vintage Tractor & Machinery Association of WA.

It was his vision from almost 30 years ago that has finally come to fruition – honouring the Chamberlain 40K with a large replica, the event hosts say.

President of the Big Tractor Committee Brendon Haeusler has been working with

community members raising funds and awareness of the project.

“This tractor will bring visitors to our region from all over the world, as the Chamberlain tractors are very popular and were the backbone of early agriculture in Australia,” he says.

“We have managed to raise over $600,000 without grants, thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals and companies statewide who have put their hand in their pocket.”

To celebrate the unveiling, the Big Tractor Project and the North Midlands Agricultural Society have teamed up to host the Country Carnival, which will see a vintage tractor parade and a community festival with food and entertainment.

Approximately 50 vintage tractors from the Carnamah Tractor Museum owned by

the town’s Niven Park where they will be on display.

Local farmers will be able to start the old engines and put this vintage collection on the road for all to see.

The Opening of the Big Tractor is a free event, however tickets to the Country Carnival are $20/$10 and children under 12 are free. People can buy tickets at the gate or online at https://events. humanitix.com/worlds-biggest-tractoropening-and-country-carnival.

Shantui SD26-B3 bulldozer 26,760kg bulldozer (including ripper) with Cummins NT855-C280 187kw (251hp) 1850rpm engine, semi U blade, single or three shank ripper, 510 / 560 / 610 / or 660mm track shoes, air-conditioned interated ROPS/FOPS cabin with suspension seat and radio. The C3 version has a Weichai 206kw (280hp) 1900 rpm engine.

Shantui SD17-C3 bulldozer 18,831kg bulldozer (including ripper) with Weichai WP10G190E354 140kw (188hp) 1900rpm engine, straight tilt blade, three shank ripper, 510 / 560 / 610 / or 660mm track shoes, air-conditioned interated ROPS/FOPS cabin with suspension seat and radio.

Image: Shire of Carnamah

The large replica of the Chamberlain 40K is 11.5m tall

CASEIHOPTUM300CaseihOptum300 2021,UsedCaseih Optum300, Pro 700and372Receiver 600/70R30FrontWheels,800/70R38RearWheels. TA1229696. $308,000

CASEIHUNKNOWN2130 2021,CASEIH213012 row Stacker PrecisionPlanter,12 row on30or40inchspacing,Pneumatic downforce,pneumaticclosingwheels,Vset2seedmeter electricdrive,ResidueManagers,Liquidinjection.Onlydone 190hectares,Updatingtobulkfillhopperunit.Contact IntersalesGriffith. $176,000

CASEIH4430 2015,CaseIHPatriot4430,2015 yr, approx 4850enghrs,7000lttank,Aimcommandpro,620wheelsand wideguardsPro700,372rec,NavcontrollerRTXsteering,36m tri foldboom,5heightsensors,autofold,Bluelights.. TA1219561. $319,000

CASEIHADX3360 ADX3360,CBJ0005019,8 run aircart,set upfor7,30.5l-32RearTyres,21.5L-16.5FrontTyres,Ground Drive,TwinFan,3Bins,FlexicoilMonitor12000LitreTow Behind. TA1219153. $74,800

KUHNAXIS50.1W 2014,3pointlinkage,PTOdrive,Home madehopperextension,manualfoldingcover,KUHNQuantron E-2monitorwithRauchsectioncontrol,newvanes,ladder, onespinnerhasbeenreplaced,319hrsoninspec.... TA1213075. $30,800

CASEIH8240Header 2018,1840EngineHoursand1470 RotorHours,DualIF580/85R42FrontTyres,750/75R26Rear Tyres,PoweredRearAxle,CropscanProteinMonitor,UHF Radio,FullGuidance(RTX)2018MacdonD145DraperFront, UpperCrossAugerandIntersales4Axle. TA1208556. $660,000incGST

CASEIH4430 2018,2018yr,CaseIhPatriot4430,appox 3400Hrs.aimflexnozzlecontrol,36.5Mtboom,approx.7000l tank,5autoheightsensors,autofold,blueboomlights, rev camera,ledlightbar, pro 700,navcontrol,372receiver,nav controlautosteer,Boomprime,engreversefan,electronic tankgauge,cropdividermountsandairkit,620/70r38tyres 30%,autogreaser. TA1219560.

$451,000

CASEIHMAGNUM340 2011,2011CaseIH340Magnum, approx8600hours,pro700/372/navIII,Fronttyres540/65R34 &Reartyres710/70R42s.. TA1219149. $110,000

CASEIHPUMA225PumaCVT225 2017,UsedCaseihPuma 225CVTTractor,frontlinkage, Pro 700Screenandwith372 receiver. 600/65R28FrontWheels,710/70R38RearWheels. TA1229695. $187,000

GRAINLINE8X41 2014Grainline8x41grainauger,HondaGX motorwithelectricstart.. TA1219123. $15,400

CASEIH7240 2020,2017CaseIH7240Boughtnewin2020, Approx1095enginehours880rotorhours,Dual620/70R42 drivetyres,600/70R42steertyres, Pro 700,NavII,372, Chopper.. TA1206064. $522,500

Cobra clearing

With dozers commonly seen on construction sites, Cobra Equipment Sales’ Shantui machines are also proving to be handy on-farm with their attachment and towing capabilities

Shantui’s DH Series dozers have been a highly popular machine at Cobra Equipment Sales, and it’s not hard to see why.

If you could describe these dozers in one word it would be versatile, as this type of machine is commonly used in earthmoving applications to push large quantities of materials, but the Shantui dozers are also thriving on-farm.

More than capable of towing farm machinery, Cobra, the authorised dealer and distributor of Shantui equipment, is seeing the dozers being used in a similar way to larger tractors.

With the use of the dozer blade, land clearing is made easier and the Shantui machines can perform jobs that tractors aren’t suited to.

“We’ve got customers who are towing farm machinery on the back of their dozers to clear regrowth,” Cobra Equipment

150XCcombination roundbalerwrapper,one owner,lowbalecount.In excellentcondition.S45. TA1103402. POA

Lachlan Smith is towing a disc plough on the back of his Shantui dozer

Sales founder George Nason says.

“The dozers are much more suited to these tasks because they have tracks instead of wheels, and the tyres on a tractor would be damaged.”

Owen Lane, owner of earthmoving business Hiregrade, has a heavy-duty drawbar on the back of his Shantui DH17-C3 crawler dozer to tow an anchor chain.

This has enabled his 20-tonne and 204 horsepower (152kW) Shantui dozer to pull the attachment to clear brigalow scrub.

The anchor chain is hooked between the Shantui and Lane’s other branded dozer to knock over regrowth timber that gets in the way.

“This is the first major job I’ve done with the Shantui dozer, but I’m already impressed,” he says.

“It’s highly manoeuvrable and easy to operate.”

Fuel efficiency

Lane has also been pleased with the fuel-efficient Weichai engine, which he says is saving him a significant amount of money in fuel costs.

In comparison to equivalent dozers of other leading brands, he says the Shantui

Owen Lane is towing an anchor chain on the back of his Shantui dozer to clear brigalow scrub

machine uses 30 to 40 litres less diesel fuel over a 12-hour shift.

Considering the high price of diesel fuel in the current market, Lane says the Shantui engine is making all the difference.

“Over a period of time, the fuel savings all add up,” Lane says.

Cobra founder Nason attributes the fuel-efficient engine to Shantui’s research and development.

“Shantui have acquired a wealth of knowledge from other machines over the years, and they’ve come up with their own engine,” he says.

“They’ve been building it for many years, and now you can see the benefits through fuel-efficiency and power.”

Another Cobra Equipment customer, Lachlan Smith, owner of H.L. Smith Earthworks, says his Shantui DH17-B2 dozer is also providing significant fuel savings.

“Shantui’s engine is much more fuel efficient compared to other dozers,” he says.

“It consumes half the amount.”

Based in Casino, New South Wales, Smith has attached a 4m wide disc plough

Rocky River Ag Services

George Nason (left) and Peter Campbell (right) with the Shantui DH24-C3 crawler dozer

to the back of his dozer for a land development project – involving rehabilitating scrub and improving pasture.

Impressed with the dozer’s power and towing capacity, Smith says the dozer is a perfect alternative to tractors when having to work in rough terrain.

“The regrowth I’m driving through would damage or even destroy a tractor, but my Shantui dozer isn’t affected when it runs over the top of the regrowth,” he says.

Performance, price and reliability were big selling points for Smith, a key factor in deciding to go with the Shantui brand over other dozer manufacturers.

Selling points

Reinforcing these reasons for going with Shantui, Lane also says the affordability of the dozers were a big standout.

“I think the quality is just as good as some of the other leading brands, but the Shantui machines are less than half the price,” Hiregrade’s owner says.

“I believe the Shantui brand is going to continue to become more popular in

Australia, and the dozers will retain their resale value.”

In addition to his dozer, Lane also owns a Shantui grader which he finds highly affordable, and says that he hopes to add a Shantui excavator from Cobra Equipment to his fleet soon, to help with future work in the region.

Farmer Peter Campbell is also fond of the Shantui brand, and is using his DH24-C3 crawler dozer on his own rural property in Goondiwindi on the border of New South Wales and Queensland.

His dozer has been fitted with a variety of attachments, including a tree spear, stick rake, blade plough and heavy-duty forestry protection guards, to clear country for his cattle and prepare the ground for crop planting.

Another standout of the Shantui dozers for these customers has been the large cabin space, providing plenty of room to make sure that comfort is maximised throughout the day.

What Cobra’s founder finds most special about these dozers is the independent

hydrostatic drive of each track, providing easy manoeuvrability of the machine.

“When you steer, it speeds one side up and slows the other down, but you never lose traction on both sides,” Nason says.

“Being hydrostatic drive, our customers are finding that the dozers are much easier to operate.”

Customers trust the Shantui machines, as Nason says the company is the world’s largest manufacturer of bulldozers - with the local machines in good company.

“Shantui is the number one seller of bulldozers in many countries, due to its affordability, reliability and ease of operation,” he says.

“At Cobra Equipment, we’ve been selling a lot of DH17s up to the DH24s, suitable to smaller contractors and farmers.

“Interest in larger models is also growing due to Shantui’s proven track record.”

For more information on the Shantui range of dozers, visit www. cobraequipmentsales.com.au or call (07) 3379 9419.

Openpumpimpeller,chopper device,stainlesssteelplates, heavydutyjockeyjacks,hand primeroneffluentpumps,pto shaft,heavydutyframe

AIRCLEANERSHEAVYDUTY

From10hptoto 200hp. VEL14307. TA10926. Pricesstartingfrom$130

TACHOMETERSFORDIESEL

ENGINES

Tinytach for dieselenginesgives adigitalRPMreadingregardless ofthenumberofcylinders.A transducertakesapulsereading fromtheinjectorlineSimplybolt thetransducertotheinjectorline, supplya12-24VDCsupplyand awayyougo!Itevenhasa built-inhourmeter,service functionandmaxrpmrange. S22. DPLIn27532. $264

INDUSTRIALRADIATORS 20hp$275 40hp$360 60hp$585 120hp$820 S11. DPLIn27501. From$275

PERKINSGENERATORS 6,8,10,13,15,20and30KVA generators,singleand3-phase, poweredbywater-cooledPerkins heavydutydieselengines,keyor remotestart,fueltankbase,full engineprotection,500hours serviceintervalsIdealbackupor primepowerCall for yourspecial price!.AW54939-ST190912. DPLIn27583. POA

JAPANESEDIESELS

Partsavailable for small Japanesediesels. AW54939-FM077-060-07. DPLIn27496. POA

BLADES

To fit smallJapanesetractors. From$8.80eachincGST. AW54939-FM077-060-08. DPLIn27497. $9

andhandprimingpumpThe Pluttoexhaustprimer automaticallyprimesupyour pumpwhenyousarttheengine Primingkit.S18. DPLIn27578. $490

IRRIGATIONHOSEHOSE SuctionanddeliveryhoseCall for yourspecialprice!. AW54939-FM077-043-01. DPLIn27516. POA

SELFPRIMING4PUMP 4selfpriming,beltdrive. AW54939-FM077-043-02. DPLIn27541. $654

TOSCANOMULCHERH/D 2023,H/Dconstruction,doubleorsinglesidelinkage, optionalhydraulicsideshift,sizesfrom1.5to4mtr

SAMMUTTRUCKTRAYS H/DAustralianmade.3mmor5mmfloor.Custombuild. Chassismodifications.Newandusedtrucksavailable. S360. TA1025472.

SAMMUTHARDOXTIPPERBODIES H/Dbuild. Onepiecesides,2waygate.Optionalwell hoistortwinunderbody.Optionaldropsides.Custom build.Colourofchoice.Sandblastedandfinishedin

UNITEDIMPLEMENTS(USA)NEWTRAILINGBOX GRADERMADEINUSA 2022,MadeinUSA,heavydutybuild Hydraulicliftwheels,hydraulicangleadjustment 1800mmto3600mm.S363. TA1025493. Pricefrom$6,900+GST

GEARMASTERTRAILINGTURFMOWER 2020,Buydirectfromthemanufacturerandsave.We havebeenmanufacturingmowersinAustralia for over 25years!Australianmade,onepiecestainlessdeck, fullgeardrive,stainlessdeck,75HPgearboxes,3plor trailing,sizesfrom1.5mtrto12mtr,suitable for Turf farms,golfcourses,councils,contractorsandmore. S364. TA1025498.

Pricefrom$17,000+GST

SAMMUTSPREADKING5000ORCHARD/VINEYARD SPREADER 2020,H/DAustralianbuild,frontorreardelivery.Sizes from2m3to18m3,optionaltelescopicconveyor, optionalendrotororendspinner,custombuilttosuit

SAMMUTMILLMUDSPREADERS,AUSTRALIAN MADE 2020,H/DAustralianmade Fullhydraulicdrive,singleor3row Frontfeed,Singleordoubleaxle,optionalrear spinners Sizesfrom8m3to30m3.S365. TA1025500.

Pricefrom$28,000+GST

TOSCANOSTONEBURIEREXTRAHEAVYDUTY

2020,Extraheavyduty Hydraulicliftroller,geardrive Anti-panblades 2200mmto3200mm.S369. TA1025532. Pricefrom$17,900+GST

SAMMUTSPREADERS

2020,H/DAustralianmade,fullhydraulicdrive Wecancustombuild.Optionalfrontfeed Optionalsidedelivery.Chainorbeltfloor Sizesfrom2m3to30m3.S367. TA1025524.

Pricefrom$18,000+GST

TOSCANOSPEEDDISC 2022,Buydirectfromtheimporterandsave! Heavyduty,Hydraulicliftcrumbleroller,560mmdiscs ,3plandtrailing,2.5mtrto6mtr(trailing).S368. TA1025525.

Pricefrom$13,900+GST

FIMAKSVERTICALFEEDMIXERS

2020,Hardenedbinandfloor,H/DComerItalian gearboxes,sizesfrom3m3to30m3,scales,incab controls,ptionalfoldingconveyorwithoptionallength, reductionbox.S371. TA1025537. From$25,000+GST

FIMAKS18TONE,TWINVERTICLEBEATER,MULCH /MUCKSPREADERS

2022,BuyDirectfromtheimporterandsave!From5 toneto30tone,heavyDutyconveyorchain,slurrydoor, incabcontrols,twinverticalbeaterswithbottom spinner,suitable for allyourhardtospreadproducts etcWetcowmanure,mulch,greenwasteetc,18TONE MACHINE(ASPICTURED).S373. TA1025543. From$69,000+GST

For more info please visit us at www.sammut.com.au

$26,450INCLGST

CASEIH3230TRACTORWITHFRONTFORKATTACHMENT Case International3230TractorwithBenWyeKBF3000FrontFork AttachmentwithForks,4wheeldrive,60 horsepower approximately,3pointlinkage,rollframe&roof.7351. TA1227753.

$22,000INCLGST

JOHNDEERE315CBACKHOE JohnDeere315CBackhoe,4 cylinderdiesel.7314. TA1217240.

$36,000INCLGST

NEWHOLLANDTN55DTRACTORWITHBURDERFRONTEND LOADER 4in1bucket,4wheeldrive,3cylinderdiesel,withremotes, aircab,approx.1,466hours,newlugtyresallround,60 horsepower approx.7249. TA1182872.

$12,850INCLGST

SAMEDELFINO35TRACTOR SameDelfino35Tractor,4 wheeldrive,3pointlinkage,approximately35 horsepower. 7281. TA1193905.

$24,850INCLGST

ZTrakRideonMower,diesel,approximately6'decksidedelivery, with copyofmanual,1,671hoursasindicated,year2021 approximately, likenew.7353. TA1227757.

JOHNDEEREZ997RZTRAKRIDEONMOWER JohnDeereZ99R

KUBOTAK008-3MINIEXCAVATOR 1,800hrsapprox,3 cylinder diesel,2xbuckets:-450mmGP,900mmtiltingmudbucket, SWL65kg, folddownrollframe,hydraulictrackadjustment,newrubbertracks, excellentcondition.7062. TA1121629. $18,250INCLGST

4wheeldrive,QuickReleasefrontendloader,forks& bucket,rollframe&roof,approximately1,600hours/60 horsepower, immaculate,withbooks.7262. TA1190218. $29,000INCLGST

CASE3230TRACTORFRONTENDLOADERFORKS& BUCKET

$43,000INCLGST

JOHNDEERE5525FWATRACTOR JohnDeere5525FWATractor,year approx.2005-2008,4wheeldrive,FrontEndLoader,withbucket&forks,ROPS& roof,91horsepowerapproximately,PTO,withfrontweightframe(no weights), approx.1,900hoursindicated,3pointlinkage (2OF).7089.TA1133372.

GMS10KS-AU,415/240volt,3phase,self-excitedwhichallowsfor automaticswitchingfromyourmainspowersupplytobackup diesel generator,21,421hours,Kubota10KVA,fullyserviced.7367. TA1231786. $12,000INCLGST 2OF

PRPOWER10KVAGENSET PRPowerGenset, model

2,589genuinehoursindicated,rearextenderboom,3x buckets,nooilleaks.7135. TA1159450. $89,000INCLGST

JCB3CXBACKHOELOADER,4CYLINDERDIESEL approx.

$32,000INCL GST

JohnDeere5820Tractor,4 wheel drive,3pointlinkage,9,000hoursapproximately,airconditioning, PTO, approximately88horsepower,hasbeenthroughworkshop&readyto go.7365. TA1228908.

JOHNDEERE5820TRACTOR

wheeldrive,withVision-Lift50FrontEndLoader,3pointlinkage, with 4pronghayfork&bucket,approximately115horsepower,2,900 hoursapproximately.7355. TA1227784. $78,000INCL GST

CaseIHMaxxum115Tractor,4

CASEIHMAXXUM115TRACTOR

adjustablefullwidthroller,withnewspareblades&bolts,3 pointlinkage.7250. TA1184478. $11,650INCL GST

AMAZONE ZAM 2TN 3PL

CONNOR-SHEA 7FT 3PL

WARRATAH 10FT 3PL SLASHER

FARM MASTER HAMMERMILL MIXER

COACHLAND DOUBLE

HORWOOD RAGSHAW

OTHERROTOWIPER 3.2mtr, TrailingWeedwiper.50mm standardballhitch.Excellent workingcondition,7368. NSW. DIY1222546. 0414 862 377. $5,800

DAKENSL4051.5 2021, slasher.approximately10 hoursuse.Excellent condition,926.NSW. DIY1209701. 0458 173 525. $2,500ONO AKSA2008AKSA AS275KVA

2008,JohnDeere335HPTurbofitted toaStamfordgenerator-super silenced-Totalhours6,484-thisunit hashadthegeneratorstator completelyrewoundwithnew AVR boardfitted.FileTank470Litres Weight2,720Kgs,N/A.QLD. DIY1231514. 0419 780 712. $21,780IncGST

JOHNDEERE5075E CAB 2022,Ingreatcondition,193 hours,2ndowner,air conditionedcabin.Also includesXSSloader,Cosmo bullymulcher,palletforks, assortedbracketsand manuals., 1PY5075ETNE615956.QLD. DIY1221446. 0414 692 806. $75,000

KINGHITTERSERIES2I This Sidemountedpostdriver makesfencingquickand easyinallconditions. www.au.kinghitter.com, S2i360. VIC. DIY1206314. 03 7044 1940. $25,602

JOHNDEERE9570R 2019,Hours:889.3,HP570.Excellentcondition withLowHours.GreenStarGPSequipped. Rearwheels1374K/g,Front1800K/g,Rear611 K/g,5Slice rear hydraulics, 1RW9570RTKP062530. OV. DIY1222368. 02 1318 450. $700,000

HYSTERH16.00XM-6 2010,lowhoursandin greatconditionwithMichelinXZMradialtyres, forkpositioningsideshiftand2,440mmForks. R3525. TA730601.

ForSaleorHirePOAPh:1800688788to Inspect

HYSTERH12.00XM 200811,740kg4500mm lift,sideshiftcarriageand2440mmforks.Hire orBuyFreeCall1800688788.R3405. TA369982. POA

HYSTERH18.00XM-12 withforkpositioning sideshiftcarriage,2440mmforks,Cummins engine,fullyenclosedairconditionedcabOption20x40sideliftcont.frame.R3632. TA1124211. POAForSaleorHirePh:1800688788

KALMARDRT450-65S 2013,Stacksladen 20x40containers5high.CumminsQSM11 dieselengine.Dana15.5HR36000XMSN. H10300280. TA1153805.

ForSaleorHirePOAFreeCall1800688788

OMEGA16-12W Idealfurnitureremovalist solutionRated12,000kgwithELME558 sidesliftabletostackuptofourhigh20and40 footcontainers..353AUFL443. TA1154000. ForSaleorHirePOAFreeCall1800688788

ISOLOADER21RubberTyreStraddleCarrier LoadUnloadandTravelwith32t20'andor27t 40'containers.Lowcostlightweight containerhandlerideal for lessrobust pavementorgoodhardstand.S113. TA1222701. POA

HYSTERH18.00XM-12 2008,stacks12,000kg highcube20'&40'3high.ELME55820x40 spreaderwithtopentrytwistlocks.Frontline unitreadynow.R3547. TA829125.

ForSaleorHirePOAFreeCall1800688788

ISOLOADERHL-PC-35 2006,Two(2) ISOLOADERPrecastConcreteHandling RubberTyreGantriesbuyoneorboth for tandemliftandtraveleachwithSWL 35,000kg.R3696R3697. TA1222670. POA

HYSTERH650C 6newContinentaltyres, Cummins6CTenginethisbudgetpriced forkliftisready for work.Option20'or20x40 toppickcontainerspreaders..R3712. TA1216675. ForSaleorHirePh1800688788POA

HYSTERH10.00XM 2006,Cumminsengine. WideForkPositioningSideshiftCarriage wouldsuitlongloadse.g.pipe.R3689. TA1216676. POAForSaleorHirePh:1800688788

KALMARDRT450 2014,SOLD-Another Available.Only11081hourswithoriginal Cumminsengine.Stack45,000kg1strow 31,000kg2ndrow.ReadyNow.R3603. TA998021. POAForSaleorHirePh:1800688788

PRENTICE7,000KGSWL forklifttruckramps (8)topickfrom.Ideal for shippingcontainers. Forsaleorhire.R3274. TA96974. $12,000+GST=$13,200ForSaleorHire

In the loop

Upgrades to the D3 Distributed Control system will help eliminate guesswork around valves and enable a new controller to be used, new owner Valmet says.

New controllers, a new operating system and its new PID Loop Optimizer are some of the key changes Valmet is rolling out in its DC Distributed Control System.

The Version 16.3 update is the first significant update since Finnish automation and flow control solutions company Valmet acquired the D3 Distributed Control System (DCS) automation platform from NovaTech Automation last year.

Valmet Automation Systems North America senior product manager Mike Davis says the update includes bug fixes, security and usability enhancements to boost the platform’s reliability and performance.

“Our goal is to provide a seamless forward migration path so processors can keep their systems running for decades to come,” says Davis.

He says that integrating Valmet’s PID Loop Optimizer into D3 is one of the most significant value-added improvements it has made – having come from Valmet’s portfolio of existing automation solutions.

“There are PID tuning parameters that affect how a valve will behave, for example, whether it reacts aggressively or slowly to the changing process. Getting that tuning correct can impact the material, the process, how much energy is consumed, and how tightly it is controlled.”

Valmet says that many process engineers need to essentially estimate PID tuning numbers. To resolve this issue, Valmet replaced a third-party software solution and integrated its own PID Loop Optimizer. The optional layered product supports tuning PID and PRF loops and

can be launched from Valmet ProcessVision.

“By having the PID loop tuning software directly embedded in the D3, the operator can call up the loop tuning software directly from their workstation, and it will analyse the performance of the loop and make recommendations for tuning that can be copied or downloaded directly back to the controller,” Davis says.

“Mistakes are reduced since no math and no manual copy-pasting is required… Operators have total control over the tuning selection and can even tune specialised loops like cascade, pH control, and level controllers.”

Two new prompts have been added to the digital input (DIN) block type to support an alarm delay when an alarm is triggered and upon a return to normal. Delays can be placed on the change from normal and change of state (CFN and COS) alarms.

“This specific improvement was based on requests from multiple customers, and we were able to bring the feature into the product,” says Davis.

In addition, the D3 v16.3 also supports the newest controller in its PCM4 line, the PCM4100A, which has a 5-slot backplane rather than the 4-slot backplane of the PCM4100, providing room for an extra I/O card.

“The big advantage for D3 customers is they can now upgrade a 20-plus-yearold Robo CPU to new hardware without losing any I/O slots in a redundant controller configuration,” Davis says. “All part of the effort to help customers maintain long-lived systems at their plants.”

A new distribution arrangement will allow the team behind Eniquest generators to focus on designing and building better products, its managing director says

Power Equipment will distribute Eniquest’s AC diesel generators across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific under a new agreement.

Including Eniquest’s Husky, Ranger and Stockman generator ranges, Power Equipment CEO Luke Foster says the distribution agreement is an important milestone for both companies.

“Eniquest’s generators are renowned for their reliability, durability, and superior engineering,” he says.

“They are a premium machine manufactured in Australia – we couldn’t ask for a better addition to our portfolio of products.”

Eniquest managing director and development engineer Don Pulver said the Australian company focussed on building premium products across its range.

“We’re not just about quality – we’re here for the long term and this partnership with Power Equipment allows us to focus on what we do best – designing and building better generators,” he says. Power Equipment currently supplies Yanmar and John Deere diesel engines to Eniquest, which the manufacturer says helps improve efficiency.

“These generators are designed with a controller that utilises no relays, which when combined with an alternator that has no electronics inside creates less possible failure points in sensitive componentry making the machines more robust overall,” Pulver said.

The Husky model – designed for agricultural applications - is available in 3kVA and 5kVA single-phase capacities, with optional 3-phase power output.

The larger Ranger and Stockman models deliver from 3.7kVA up to a powerful 44kVA across 14 variants in single and three-phase outputs.

Don Pulver with an Eniquest generator. Image: Power Equipment.

Using Valmet’s D3 Distributed Control System (DCS) automation platform, industrial processors can now integrate numerous reliability and performance enhancements. Image: Valmet

EnforcerWalkie-ElectricTowTug(NO42).NO42. TA1198251. $5,500

2.5TonneBrandNewManual.PALLETJACK. DPLIn53187. $523

2.5TonneLPGForkliftWith4.59MetreLift ClearviewMast..P040. TA1207778. $13,200

2.5TonneLPGForkliftwith4.3MetreLift ContainerMast.P003. TA1206087. $13,200

HysterLPGForkliftsForHire! AsLittleas$100+GSTPerWeek!.D017. TA644792. $110

1.2tonneelectricwalkiereachtruckwith4.27 metrelift.N054. TA1178245. $13,200

viper. TA1160389. $21,450

19-29 Curlew Cresc

Tamworth NSW 2340

www.philhuntparts.com.au brendan@philhuntparts.com.au

ALLISCHALMERSHD16DP JustinforDismantling,Semi UBullBlade,SwivelTynePacificRippers,Good Undercarriage,SweetRunning16,000HEngine, PowershiftTransmissionandConverter,AllParts Available,PhoneBrendan-0267624466.S181.

ALLISCHALMERSHD11EP JustinforDismantling, SweetRunningTurboed11,000SeriesEngine, PowershiftTransandConverter,FinalDrivesinGood Order,SwivelTynePacificRippers,AllPartsAvailable, PhoneBrendan-0267624466.S184. TA1221914. POA

PHIL HUNT PARTS PHIL HUNT PARTS

The HUNT stops here

NEW AND S/H PARTS

ALLIS-CHALMERS/HANOMAG/MASSEY

JOHN DEERE INDUSTRIAL

PARTS FOR Dozers, Loaders, Drotts, Graders, Scrapers

WRECKING DOZERS

ALLIS-CHALMERS: Model “M”, HD5, HD6B,E, HD7W, HD7G, HDIIB, EP, HD15-16, HD16DC, HD16DP, HD19-21, HD41B

FIAT: 451C, 555, 605, 50CI, 70CI, AT7C, 8B, BD10B, FD10E, BD20

HANOMAG/MASSEY: 2244, 200, 300, 3366, 400, 500, L400C, L600C, D600D Super, D700C

JOHN DEERE : 1010C, 850 LOADERS

ALLIS-CHALMERS: TL12D, TL14, TL20, 545, 605B, 645, 745B,C

FIAT: FR20B

LD3, LD5, LD7 & LD9 Scoopmobile

HANOMAG/MASSEY 22,33C,44, 55, CL55C,66C-D, 77 GRADERS

ALLIS-CHALMERS: D, DD, M65, 65B, AD30-40, 45, 145, M100A, B, FG95 DRMCO/CHAMPION 562, 600, 720, 740

JOHN DEERE 570, 570A, 670A, 770, 770A, 772A

ALLIS WHEEL TRACTORS

AC D17, D19, D21, XT190, 7000, 7010, 7020, 7040, 7060, 7080, 8010, 8050, 8070, 7580, 8550, 440

ALSO AVAILABLE

Track Chains, Rollers, Idlers, Sprockets

Various 4-1 Buckets, POA

Allis Chalmers • Fiat Allis • Hanomag •

FIATALLISAD10 JustinforDismantling,2500Original Hours,AngleTiltBlade,ExcellentSwivelTyneRippers, AllPartsAvailable,PhoneBrendan-0267624466.S182. TA1221911. POA

ALLISCHALMERSHD11B JustinforDismantling, ExcellentUndercarriageAllRound,SweetStartingand RunningHD516Engine,AllPartsAvailable,Phone Brendan-0267624466.S183. TA1221913. POA

Massey • JD Industrial

KUBOTA BE READY

MGEH420E 1998,4RollHydraulicPlateBending/Rolling Machine.4100mmwidex410mmdiametertoproll. Variable side&bottomrollaxisforconingcapabilities. Moveablecontrolpanelwithdigitalreadouts.Overhead

FRAMAXRFCI6-6-1DPS 2005,AbsoluteBargain.The BootlegrotaryFramaxBottlingline.Thisisasixhead, rinse,purge,counterpressurefillandcapper.Also includedisaseparatelabellerandrotaryaccumulation tablesoninfeedandoutfeed.Unithasbeenstoredwithin thebrewery,butnotusedforseveralyears.Withalittle

CROWNCG50C-5 2017,2017model -Low2674hrs -5tonforklift -Forkpositioners -Containermask(4125mm) -LPG -NewPneumatictyres -New1500mmForktynes -Fullyserviced-readyforwork. -PriceIncgst-invoiceprovided., FGB04-2600-00147.QLD. DIY1229347. 0412 036 858. $44,000

STEVESTRANSPORTABLES12MX12M 2019,12mx12mofficeblock(4modules)featuringtwolarge offices,areceptionarea,aboardroom,andakitchen.Thisunitis 5yearsoldandinexcellentcondition.Itisfullyair-conditioned andheatedwithfourreversecyclewall-mountedunits.Theoffice