Posts Tagged ‘AGCO’

A Delegation of Chinese agricultural and engineering representatives recently toured AGCO Australia’s Sunshine distribution and corporate offices.

The study tour  focused on the promotion of shared innovation and farming practices as China moves towards modernising its agriculture sector while balancing environmental and population challenges.

A vital industry in China, agriculture employs a staggering 300,000 million farmers – roughly 21% of its population, with a history stretching well into China’s ancient past. Rice has been cultivated in China for 7,700 years making it one of the oldest agrarian civilisations.

More contemporarily, China ranks highly in worldwide production of rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oil seed, pork and fish. Accounting for 10 percent of arable land worldwide, China produces food for 20 percent of the world’s population – that’s 1.4 billion people.

Having also visited Europe and North America, the group were interested in analysing case studies of AGCO products that illustrate the real world benefits new technologies have had on farming operations in Australia and the adoption rate amongst local farmers.

China’s agricultural sector is large but also one of the least efficient in the world. The study group’s main focus was on farming methods that will help drive change in traditional methods.

The representatives came from a variety of regions in China, keen on gathering strong evidence of the benefits of different farming practices and their potential to transform traditional techniques, helping China forge ahead with modernisation while mitigating the worst effects of air and water pollution.

Emission reduction technologies and fuel efficient machinery were of particular interest to the delegation as China increases mechanisation of agriculture.

The contrast with Australia’s agricultural sector could not be starker. As a country with a small population, agriculture in Australia employs 307,000 people – that’s 1% of its population. The majority of farm output is destined for offshore markets with Australia ranking 5^th in global wheat exporters.

The potential for improvements in Chinese farming practices is enormous and could have huge benefits for not only for China but also the world, as future food scarcity looms as a potential threat to the global population.

It is hoped that these experiences will help Chinese agricultural specialists and policy makers compare global agricultural practices and adapt new technologies to Chinese farming conditions.

As part of the Fuse^TM Technologies “open approach” to precision farming, AGCO has maintained a focus on developing new industry partnerships as well as expanding existing partnerships – all to provide our customers with the best possible solutions. Recently, AGCO and Appareo Systems have agreed to enter a joint venture, building on the existing Intelligent Agricultural Solutions (IAS) business structure, to allow for breakthrough agricultural innovation. This collaboration will focus on the need for more advanced electronic technology centered around data collection, wireless communication, advanced sensors and intelligent machine control.  

The joint venture will develop technology for advanced machine control systems, sensing applications, automated subsystems, machine prognostics and machine health monitoring, specific protein and grain control systems, and development of innovative electromechanical devices and systems. This will provide AGCO and Appareo Systems a key vehicle to deliver advanced technology and equipment management solutions, supporting a variety of crop types and markets globally.

“Global agriculture is going through a period of revolutionary change. The need for more advanced electronic technology focused on data collection, wireless communication, advanced sensors/sensor fusion and intelligent machine control has grown exponentially. As we continue to build on AGCO’s Fuse strategy, we intend to leverage the new partnership with Appareo as a key driver in building the most adept and most open data system available to the industry”, said Eric Hansotia, Senior Vice President, Global Harvesting, Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS). “As the agricultural industry shifts, there is a greater need for more advanced technology, and we anticipate that this partnership will provide breakthrough innovation making our customers more profitable while supporting their mixed fleet operations.”

Visit www.appareo.com to learn more about Appareo’s developments in agriculture.

For more information about the Fuse Technologies open approach, click here.

To see the full press release about the new joint venture between Appareo and AGCO, click here.

Massey Ferguson has been recognised by the government of Zambia for its enduring contribution to the country’s commercial development.

Vice President, Guy Scott presented the farm machinery manufacturer with the Award for Long Standing Brand at Zambia’s 50th Anniversary Independence Ball in Lusaka.

Sue Chuzu, Marketing and Communications Manager, AGCO Zambia receives the Award for long standing Brand

Massey Ferguson tractors, harvesting machinery and farm equipment have been helping to develop the country’s agriculture for over 60 years. Today, the brand and its familiar red-liveried machines continue to play a major role in Zambian farming.

MF tractors are the country’s top selling models with an estimated 20% market share.  Massey Ferguson is also an integral part of AGCO’s Future Farm and Training Centre initiative based at Chalimbana near Lusaka.

“This Award Ball gives the government an opportunity to congratulate individuals, families, companies and brands on their impact on the economic, social, historical and financial development of our country,” commented Vice President Scott. He said that the government wished to recognise and commend those who have demonstrated “prolonged existence and performance within the areas of commerce, trade and industry and, specifically, those who have maintained excellence and continuity over the years.”

Receiving the award on behalf of Massey Ferguson, Sue Chuzu, Marketing and Communications Manager, AGCO Zambia said: “It’s a great honour and privilege for us to receive the award. We would like to thank the farmers who have supported Massey Ferguson throughout its long presence in Zambia and also the Zambian government for creating a conducive environment which has helped agriculture to thrive.”

Massey Ferguson was one of only four organisations to receive the Long Standing Brand Award

AGCO is pleased to announce that technicians employed by dealerships handling one or more of its four principal machinery brands within the United Kingdom and Ireland will be able to register on a nationally-recognised technician accreditation scheme developed and backed by the AEA and IAgrE, with support from BAGMA.

AGCO Training Centre

Known as the Landbased Technician Accreditation scheme (LTA), the programme has become available to all AGCO dealer technicians following independent assessment and accreditation of the training and facilities provided by AGCO to technicians supporting its Challenger, Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra farm machinery brands.

The move to have AGCO’s training programmes recognised at a national level, accredited to the same standards of other leading farm machinery manufacturers and suppliers, was spearheaded by Freddie Pullan, Manager, Technical Training UK and Ireland for AGCO Ltd.

“The LTA Scheme provides a clear and accepted means of benchmarking, monitoring and assessing the competence of technicians employed nationwide within the landbased sector,” commented Mr Pullan. “AGCO was keen to ensure that the training it provides to technicians employed by Challenger, Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra dealers matched this standard, providing a clear and documented career path for AGCO apprentices and technicians wishing to progress within the agricultural engineering industry.”

In consultation with scheme administrator, IAgrE, AGCO’s training programmes were scrutinised and fine-tuned to ensure that they satisfied the accreditation criteria laid down by the LTA scheme. Independent assessment was carried out on behalf of IAgrE by consultant, David Kershner, with accreditation centre approval being granted to AGCO, taking effect in September 2014.

Agricultural engineers employed by AGCO dealers are now able to follow a nationally-recognised four-tier progression from apprentice (LTA1) through to master technician (LTA4), passing through technician (LTA2) and advanced technician (LTA3) tiers as they progress.

Upward movement from one tier to the next involves satisfactory completion of a range of general and product-specific training courses across a number of different categories, as laid down by the LTA scheme. All technicians attaining LTA3 standard become eligible for IAgrE membership and Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) registration, on payment of an annual fee.

“AGCO is committed to supporting an initiative which provides encouragement and recognition for dealers and technicians who voluntarily commit to continual professional development.” commented Mr Pullan. “We believe that the Landbased Technician Accreditation scheme will bring sustained improved efficiencies within dealers’ service departments and further boost customers’ perceptions and confidence in technicians working on their tractors and other farm machines,”

“We are delighted that AGCO has joined the LTA scheme,” commented Alastair Taylor, chief executive of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE). “The move will give service engineering technicians employed across the AGCO network the opportunity to gain professional recognition nationwide for their important work.

“We very much look forward to welcoming AGCO’s first LTA3 technicians as members of IAgrE as well as handling their registration as Engineering Technicians with the Engineering Council. It is only right and proper that skilled technicians performing such important work are recognised as professionals. We believe that AGCO customers will reap the benefit of having their farm machinery serviced by technicians who are at the top of their game.”

From the Auckland Harbour Bridge to the northern-most tip of the New Zealand, AGCO dealer Bryant Tractors has proudly served the Northland Farming industry for 35 years.

From humble beginnings employing just four people, the locally owned Whangarei business owned and operated by Murray Bale and Keith Martin is the largest independent agricultural dealership in New Zealand’s Northland region.

Celebrating their success and thanking their loyal and large customer base, the Bryant Tractor team invited over 320 guests to a function at Whangarei’s Toll stadium.

Bryant Tractors Team

Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner, live entertainment and listened to the inspirational story of New Zealand Paralympic champion swimmer, Cameron Leslie.

The spacious facilities of the Northlands Rugby Union home ground also allowed Bryant tractors to display a large range of the latest AGCO products which guest were able mill around while catching up over a social drink or two.

Congratulating the Bryant Tractors team for their long history of service, Guest Speaker AGCO NZ Manager Peter Scott outlined AGCO’s Vision of the Future and an overview of the NZ tractor market.

Commenting after the event, Peter said “Bryant Tractors has been a fixture in the local agricultural industry for a generation, consistently providing the Northland region with professional service and support and  offering a range of AGCO products that meet the demands of modern farming practices in New Zealand.”

Attending the event customers Ian and Coleen Taylor took the opportunity to pass on their best wishes to Murray and Bryant tractors staff.

“We thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the machinery Bryant Tractors had on display, it is amazing what a change there has been even in our lifetime! We were very interested to hear the story of AGCO, its impressive results, with such rapid growth throughout the world.  We look forward to seeing what is coming off the production line next,” Ian and Coleen Taylor said.

Murray and Keith thanked their customers and made special mention of past and current staff who have contributed to the success of Bryant Tractors including co-founder Bill Bryant.

AGCO congratulates Bryant Tractors for 35 years of dedicated professional service and looks forward continuing a successful partnership in the vibrant New Zealand agricultural industry.