This patented technology works with most air seeders to deliver biologicals into the planting furrow easily, safely and accurately, saving farmers time while maximising product efficacy.
As the first technology to provide broadacre farmers with a scalable solution for application of dry powered biologicals, FurrowMate represents a significant milestone in the industry and was entered by Loam Bio, from Orange in NSW.
Highly commended was the DASH, the next generation spray tender system for agricultural field work, entered by PhiBer.
A total of eight machines and equipment at the cutting edge of agricultural technology were shortlisted for judging in the Henty Machine of the Year.
This award is presented to the most outstanding new piece of agricultural machinery exhibited at the field days.
It was judged by an independent panel of five regional primary producers on September 22 and presented at the field days opening on September 23.
Judging criteria included the machine’s purpose and suitability, scope of application, construction (durability and design), ease of maintenance and service, ease of operation and adjustment, availability of parts and overall value for money.
Judge Warren Scheetz described the FurrowMate as impressive for its accuracy to deliver rates as low as 20 grams/ha of biological or fine ground product across any air seeder ranging from 9m to 24m in width at normal sowing speeds.
“To get such a fine amount of product accurately across that width is pretty impressive,” Mr Scheetz said.
“The FurrowMate impressed the judges with its simplicity and design, accuracy and further development into other products is being undertaken so it is adaptable to fit almost any air seeder currently on the market.”
Designed to be water, dust, heat and motion proof to withstand the harshest planting conditions, FurrowMate units simplify inoculum delivery on-farm.
Loam Bio mechanical engineer Andrew Godwin said the units remove the need for messy and inaccurate seed treatment, while ensuring robust and reliable performance in the field.
“Prior to this ground-breaking technology, farmers had to resort to manual seed coating methods, such as using liquid-based slurry relying on an auger for mixings, to ensure an even distribution of the biological product on the seed,” Mr Godwin said.
As the Highly Commended winner, the DASH automates chemical mixing and cleaning, reducing the possibility for human error, decreasing the time needed to fill a sprayer, and increasing overall sprayer productivity.
Because chemicals are kept separate until it is time to spray, then mixed based on weight not volume, the accuracy and efficacy are second to none. Greater effectiveness of agriculture chemicals means less use, which is good for the farmer and good for the environment.
Warren Scheetz said the batching and mixing plant was mounted on a trailer with its own water supply.
“It has the ability to mix up to four products safely and efficiently without touching it and supplying that direct into a boom spray.”
Mr Scheetz paid tribute to the excellence in design displayed by all entrants, which varied from the world’s widest draper platform down to the FurrowMate which is mounted on an air seeder.
“We had a good range of new and innovative equipment to appraise with some being improvements on products already in the marketplace. It’s all good for agriculture,” he said.
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