MACHINERY NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Next Raptor arrives The Next-Generation Ford Ranger Raptor is incoming and features a 3.0-litre V6 Twin Turbo EcoBoost engine producing up to 292kW (392hp) at 5650rpm and 583Nm of torque at 3500rpm. The 3.0-litre V6 petrol has a compacted, graphite-iron cylinder block, which is around 75 per cent stronger and up to 75 per cent ‘stiffer’ than the iron used in traditional castings, according to Ford. Raptor’s anti-lag system – available in the vehicle’s Baja2 mode – keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, allowing for faster resumption of acceleration out of corners or between gears when the driver gets back on the accelerator.
Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission – each gear is programmed with its own boost profile. An electronically controlled active valve exhaust system amplifies the engine note in four selectable drive
Be guided
modes (Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja2). Drivers can choose their preferred engine sound by pressing a button on the steering wheel, or by selecting a drive mode that uses one of these settings.
Grain growers are urged to consider their disease management plans for winter crops, using Agriculture Victoria’s 2022 Cereal Disease Guide. Produced with support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the guide provides updated information on crop disease ratings and advice on how to reduce the risk from disease. Agriculture Victoria senior research scientist, Dr Grant Hollaway, said an example of a disease that will be
important this season is stripe rust, which can cause significant yield losses in wheat. “There will be disease carry over on volunteer cereals growing over summer due to recent above average rainfall,” Dr Holloway said. Dr Hollaway recommends using the tablet-based app StripeRustWM, to support in-crop fungicide decisions. The app is free for iPad and Android tablet users and can be downloaded from the Apple App or Google Play stores. More details: https://agriculture. vic.gov.au
analyse data they are generating on their farm to make more informed decisions. “Digital farming integrates detailed information on factors such as weather conditions, soil moisture, soil nutrient
levels and crop health to improve on-farm decision-making, leveraging application technology and data science to maximise efficiency and productivity,” Staff said.
Smart field option Bayer has announced that it will be launching its digital farming platform, FieldView, in Australia. Bayer says the platform will enable Australia’s cotton and cereal farmers to work smarter, by combining expertise and knowledge of the land with modern, digitally-enabled tools. The decision follows two seasons of working with growers across Australia to beta-test FieldView in local conditions and ensuring the platform is suited to the specific needs of Australian growers. Bayer’s Head of Digital Farming ANZ, Chris Staff, said enhanced digital capabilities will support Bayer’s efforts to help Australian farmers gain a deeper understanding of their operations, allowing them to collect, visualise and
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Farming Ahead March 2022 No. 362
www.farmingahead.com.au