From the circle of sports journalists of Bahia Blanca. He worked for the magazine Encestando (1985-2000). Currently, since 1987, he is the editor of the La Ciudad section of the La Nueva provincial newspaper. He has been a journalist specializing in agriculture since 2001. Member of the Buenos Aires Association of Agricultural Journalists (APOBA). Responsible for the website of the Cattle Breeders Association (AGA).
ARMSTRONG, Special Envoy – Regardless of the situation, the innovative agricultural machinery industry continues to chart the future. This is done with the technology used for precision agriculture, which amazes day by day and seems to have no limits, but it does not stop focusing on environmental issues.
In the last edition of AgroActiva, in the city of Armstrong, Santa Fe County, such care was appreciated in all projects for iron terminals.
“We know the consumer’s opinion, but we also know the producers’ opinion,” said Rodrigo Alandia, CASE IH Marketing Manager for Latin America.
“This happens because the producer is not only thinking about his profit, but is also concerned about the sustainability of the soil and the environment as a whole,” he added.
“We always work with the voice and experience of the customer. This is key to our growth. This is one of the reasons why we do this not only to provide efficient machines, but also to contribute to reducing impacts,” he pointed out.
“We focus on technologies and ways to produce in the most sustainable way possible in the industry, and this has a positive effect on the environment,” he said.
Following the same thread, Alantia —in conversation with Journalists pool– Presented the company’s four main pillars: connectivity, artificial intelligence, autonomy and electrification, all in an innovative space where real results and next steps related to digital agriculture were showcased.
“Within the four items we focus on a value proposition, but without a doubt, we see a greater commitment to help reduce environmental impact, in connectivity and how connected services can help in this regard,” he said.
Rodrigo Alandia.
“We are talking about having machines that can deliver inputs very accurately and efficiently in the required quantities; That is, without waste contributing to balancing the environment. More intelligent engines with lower fuel emissions and higher performance and, obviously, more availability in the field”, he says.
Alantia cited as an example the Farmall 75C electric tractor, which stands out for its front loader and first-generation battery, and which brings together a hybrid concept, connectivity, autonomous features, artificial intelligence and alternative fuel.
“This product represents the starting point of electrification in new product development. Here we are specifically talking about reducing emissions,” Alandia concluded.
“Today, we believe it is a niche market, but in a few years we will talk about the urban demand for more ecological products, coming from renewable sources and with certification that respects sustainability. These trends are also transferred from the field, which is one of the answers we have to give.
When referring to the presence on the market of the first tractor powered by biomethane, the reports correspond to Mariano Mongini, Business Manager of New Holland: T6.180 Methane Power.
“For more than 15 years we have understood what the macro trends are in terms of seeking an ever-positive carbon balance, with greater use of cleaner, less polluting technologies and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.
The link to sustainability is explained as follows: the vehicle can use gas from organic bio-digestion such as animal waste, using environmental responsibility, making its own fuel and turning it into an asset by stopping the use of diesel; That means lower operating costs. Thus, the reduction in particulate emissions is more than 90% and, in general, carbon dioxide is reduced by up to 80% compared to a diesel tractor.
Mariano Mongini.
“Practically, it is similar to another agricultural tractor, but it has a peculiarity: the manufacturer himself has an engine that can be supplied by the energy generated in the biodigesters in his company. That is, the fan is opened to close the cycle in the same place where livestock or agricultural production waste is generated,” he added.
“They use these resources to produce energy that moves a tractor, for example, the residue from the biodigester can be spread and fertilized in the same fields, which can then be replanted. This creates a virtuous cycle,” he said.
Mongini pointed out that when talking about environmental protection, it means not only having a biomethane tractor that can use alternative energy, but also the care of operators who have a pressurized room or safety systems inside agricultural machinery.
“It has to do with what we call sustainable agriculture,” concluded Mongino, referring to the unit equipped with a 100% natural gas FPT industrial electric motor and a 16 x 16 semi powershift transmission.
The equation: By using biomethane, the carbon footprint of rural properties can be brought to zero.
For his part, Gaston Ricardo, president of Indecar, went a step further with respect to the latest innovations the company had already presented.
“How do we react to climate change? All crops have a window. They can be sown from one date to another. Because? Because the seasons of the year will start with frost, rain or drought, depending on what is sown,” he said.
“So if we have a month and a half to plant wheat, or a month to do it in soybeans, we’re in trouble over time,” he added.
“The truth is, right now, everything is getting smaller and we don’t have that time anymore. Something has to be done,” he said.
In addition to being in charge of an agricultural machinery company based in Carmen de Areco, Accountant Ricardo is an agricultural producer.
“I will give a simple example of the problem: we have already bought seeds to plant wheat, but if it does not rain this week (as it was last) we will leave the window, if we sow the same, the frost will overtake us and the crop will die. That is, they did not give us the times. More and more Confirmed,” he said.
Gaston Ricardo.
“The solution is found in the air drill system because it allows us to plant more hectares per day. Usually, we have been doing it in 40 Has in a day; now we are reaching 100 Has. That means we have fewer days, but we are doing more,” he explained. .
Ricardo rightly says that because of this speed, accuracy and seeding variability, the seed market is moving towards the air drill. Not just in Argentina, but in all the agricultural powers of the world.
“How do seed companies do planting windows? They have flaws just like us,” he said.
“I’m from Carmen de Areco, Pergamino, Salto and Rojas, and the soybeans produced for this year are worthless. I mean, the people who manufacture them have a bigger problem than us, because they have to remanufacture it. “It no longer matters whether it’s secondary corn or short-cycle wheat,” he opined.
Moving on to sustainability issues, the company added an air flow dosing kit. It is a tool that can be attached to any conventional drill regardless of its size or age, allowing it to be converted into an air drill machine.
A new machine, depending on the model, costs between 300,000 and 800,000 dollars, while innovating for other gardeners is an investment of US$ 160,000.
Likewise, productivity can be increased with sophisticated systems, software and sophisticated monitors that allow you to carry out accurate and variable sowings and, based on fertilization, a row fertilization system was implemented so that each line receives the same amount.
Along with nuances, other companies that presented their innovations at AgroActiva 2023 are on the same path in terms of greater commitment to sustainability. In fact, there is no other way to respond to the increasing demand of the world in environmental matters.
Nardi and sustainability: “This is where we need to go”
“Not just as a society, but as a company, where we need to go. To continue living you need to take care of the environment,” said Arch. Rosanna Nardi, President of AgroActiva.
“This year we created a boulevard at the fair, together with RUS, we planted 40 fast-growing species of trees like aquaribe. In other words, we will get a good shade next year,” he added.
“We are involved in recycling waste and talks to raise awareness on this matter, but, importantly, with actions and better visibility. This is not a small issue because it is about our future,” he explained.
curve Rosanna Nardi, president of AgroActiva.
The Agroactiva is 29 years old and has always had a traveling character. Still, he hasn’t moved away from Armstrong for the past five years. Also, Arch. As Nardi said in a conversation with Poole de Periodistas, they expect trees to grow along a corridor now on display. This is not accidental.
“In a radius of 100 kilometers Argentina has 80 to 90% of the metal-mechanic sector. That’s why I say we are always in a strategic place; pointed, I would say,” he said of the location.
“In addition, it is important to receive visitors from all over the country since it is a federal fair. Being at the intersection of the highway that connects Rosario to Córdoba and Route 178, we ensure easy access,” he added.
In another section, the directive envisages support for manufacturers to attend fairs and support for companies confident of production beyond the circumstances.
“In this sense, we are pleased that Agroactiva (NdR: Santa Fe Mipaims project, fixed interest rate of 59% and repayment period between 48 and 52 months) has agreed to financing lines at the same rate. For producer decisions. Similarly, Brazil, Germany, Uruguay, Romania, Colombia , the visits of trade representatives from countries like Australia and Azerbaijan were positive,” he added.
“Similarly, our proximity to the metal-mechanic pole of the country extends our hearts beyond iron to cattle,” he opined.
This year’s Valor Criollo honor went to pioneer Luis Nardi (center).
“More than 4,500 cattle were standing; More than 3,500 head, including 300 goats and fattening ones, were auctioned under the tent,” he said.
“There were also fairs of Criollo horses with a separate free range and breeding auction, and even a restaurant in the livestock department happily stood out,” said Arch. Nardi concluded.
