Ag News: NZ Robotic Apple Packer
**A robotic apple packer from New Zealand-based Robotics Plus has won a major technology award.
Thepacker.com reports, Robotics Plus’ robotic Aporo apple packer won the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution.
The unit is already operating in packinghouses in New Zealand and the U.S., with installations in Europe expected.
Robotics Plus is also working on other technologies, including an autonomous ag vehicle, robotic pollinator, robotic harvesters, and crop estimator.
**Millions of hogs in China have been “depopulated” due to African swine fever, but no one can say just how many.
Global AgriTrends president, Brett Stuart tells porkbusiness.com, some believe it will take China five to eight years to rebuild. But under the current situation with no vaccine, Stuart doesn’t think it will ever happen for three reasons; it’s hard to kill, China’s vast and diverse swine industry, and the government’s lack of transparency or control.
Stuart says this story is just getting started.
**Milk production in May was down 0.4% across all states compared to last year, but TOTAL production sat at 19.055 billion pounds, up from 18.468 billion in April.
According to milkbusiness.com, production per cow averaged just 11 pounds higher than May 2018, but 63 pounds higher than the month before.
Despite a months-long decline in cow numbers, the U.S. herd added 5,000 cows in May compared to April, but is still down 89,000 head from May 2018.
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