By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday February 1, 2024

Feb 1, 2024 | 1:57 PM

The next wave of automation is coming to large square baling.

The 2024 Case IH Baler Automation is a hands-free design that delivers high-quality bales regardless of operator experience level.

Case IH hay and forage marketing manager Brian Spencer said productivity is the name of the game when it comes to the tight operating windows hay producers face.

“Baler automation is the perfect example of purposeful technology from Case IH. It aims to tackle efficiencies by taking the duty off the operator to steer and adjust in field, allowing them to add productivity while in the cab,” Spencer said.

Case IH Baler Automation is the industry’s first LiDAR (light detection and ranging) baling system that sends out laser pulses to measure the position and size of the windrows.

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The technology adjusts the speed and steering of the tractor to maximize throughput without overloading the baler, resulting in increased runtime compared to traditional baling.

With the automatic adjustments and hands-free baling, producers can put less experienced operators in the cab, or spend their time in the cab running farm operations or focusing on other business.

“This technology is built for the unpredictable yet expected challenges in baling with crooked windrows, and inconsistent widths and heights,” Spencer said. “The automatic adjustments in steering and speed ensure the bales are consistent and the baler is running at peak performance, avoiding blockages and overfilling.”

The dealer-installed automation kit connects with Class 3 ISOBUS Puma, Optum and Magnum tractors.

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A biodegradable micronutrient seed coating has been developed by Lucent BioSciences.

Nutreos is non-toxic and plant-based and was designed to address the growing concerns surrounding microplastic pollution.

Lucent Bio is co-developing and conducting trials with seed companies using the Nutreos seed coating technology.

The company said Nutreos offers improved germination, early vigour, and root growth, delivering uniform crop establishment and nutrition without compromising the environment. The inclusion of iron, manganese and zinc provides vital nutrition without toxicity or microplastics.

Lucent Bio is building the first Nutreos manufacturing plant in British Columbia targeted to become operational by the end of 2024, and aims to expand production capacity in the US, Brazil, and Europe.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW