NEWS UPDATE
Agricultural machinery : registrations rocket at the end of 2017
The year ' s balance records a sharp increase for tractors and tractors with loading platforms , and for combine harvesters and trailers . The entry into force of the new EU regulations on agricultural machinery ( Mother Regulation ) in January lead the manufacturers to implement more aggressive marketing strategies at the end of 2017 , in order to sell the stocks of machinery already produced .
The Italian market for tractors recorded an unprecedented rise in registrations at the end of 2017 . The figures , elaborated by FederUnacoma on the basis of the number of registrations provided by the Ministry of Transport , show a 23.8 % increase at the end of the year for tractors , with 22,705 units compared to the 18,341 of 2016 , and a 24.4 % increase of tractors with loading platforms ( transporters ), with 963 units compared to the 774 of the previous year .
Accurate & efficient dosing of micro-ingredients
There is a rapidly increasing demand for tailor-made produced feed . It challenges feed manufacturers to dose an ever increasing number of different ingredients in small quantities . Van Aarsen International , based in The Netherlands , helps to optimize the fine dosing process via the application of specialized Small , Micro , and Precision Ingredient Dosing systems . These systems allow producers to accurately dose a large number of vitamins , minerals , and additives without any loss of quality , speed and production capacity .
The addition of microingredients in animal feeds demands the highest possible precision in order to realize the desired effect for each animal in each phase of the animal ' s life . Adding too much results in wasting precious ingredients , and adding too little results in suboptimal performance . Many feed manufacturers are faced with the challenge of having to produce formulas with an increasingly diverse range of micro-ingredients , each with their specific properties such as sticky , dusty , aggressive and abrasive .
Successful trials sees UK firm begin exporting to Ghana
Levity CropScience has received its first order from Ghana , for its Tropical Albina product , which helps banana growers in the country produce greater yields , following a successful trial .
The West African nation of Ghana has 347,000 hectares of banana farms , producing 3.7 million tonnes of bananas a year ( and the sector is rapidly expanding ). However , it also suffers from Saharan winds that cause stress to crops such as bananas , leading to challenging conditions for growers .
In response , Levity is launching Tropical Albina , a product which helps the crop maintain growth yield and quality during stress periods and ensures that the plant can better resist attack by fungal diseases like Sigatoka .
In West Africa , the banana crops suffer from stress during the Harmattan season , where the weather systems from the Sahara bring dry winds that harm the crop . Tropical Albina performed well in trials there last year and now Levity has commenced shipping its product to banana farms in Ghana and other West African markets .
Levity products aid growers , in particular , Tropical Albina helps produce crops that are more resilient to stressful climates and disease , increasing yields .
David Marks , MD , Levity CropScience said : “ We ' re excited to be adding Ghana to our ever-growing list of export countries . Tropical Albina will give growers across Ghana the ability to produce greater banana yields that are resilient to disease and the harsh Saharan winds that sweep across the country .
“ All of the products are developed by ourselves and engineered to get the maximum quality , life spanand yield for users . Levity products are specially designed to help crops excel in dry and challenging climates .”
Light4Food reinforces the Priva partner network with indoor growing
Light4Food and Priva have responded to the rapid increase in the number of indoor growing activities by entering into the Priva Partnership . Light4Food , with its broad network and powerful group of customers in the seed-breeding and food production sectors , is a strong cooperation partner for Priva . Rene van Haeff , Managing Director , Light4Food and Jaco de Vries , Horticulture Sales Manager , sealed the partnership last week when they signed the contract .
Priva ' s new Light4Food partner is focused exclusively on indoor growing solutions in Europe and other parts of the world . The company offers a complete package of solutions from technical engineering , right through to the installation . Light4Food also carries out plant research , and assists in the cultivation of crops in indoor growing facilities .
14 GULF AGRICULTURE JANUARY FEBRUARY 2018