WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025 EDITION OF RURAL CONTRACTOR & LARGE SCALE FARMER.
A new year, and I am the new editor. Firstly, I must thank Paul Titus for ensuring a smooth transition into this role. Given the time of year, it has gone well. Taking over at Christmas with a mid-January deadline is no easy task - it’s a challenging period even when well settled in - but we got there!
Paul has been a steady hand at the wheel for the past 25 years, playing an integral role in the magazine’s success and working tirelessly to deliver each and every issue. Thank you, Paul. It’s reassuring to know he’s only a phone call away, and I’m pleased that he will continue contributing from time to time.
I now have the task of building on his legacy and ensuring we continue telling the stories that matter to our readership. While you may notice some small changes to the magazine - which is natural- the fundamentals will remain.
ANGUS KEBBELL, EDITOR.
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Publishers of Rural Contractor & Large Scale Farmer, AgriBusiness, AgriVet, NZ Cropping, Australian AG Contractor & Large Scale Farmer, NZ Novachem Agrichemical Manual.
I was raised on a farm in North Canterbury, and over the past 15 years, I have worked in many aspects of the media industry. For the past decade, my focus has been on agri and media.
Farming has always been the lifeblood of New Zealand, and I firmly believe it always will be. I am committed to advocating for better outcomes - not just for farmers but for the industry as a whole.
A vital part of this industry is our contractors, who work the land and support farmers with their seasonal needs. It is incredible to see how machinery has evolved over the years, improving efficiency, sustainability, and outcomes for farmers.
The businesses, contractors, and machinery brands featured in Rural Contractor & Large Scale Farmer are leading the way - innovating, adapting, and delivering agricultural solutions that are not only inspiring but also improving the way we farm.
Here at Rural Contractor & Large Scale Farmer we have a new website; ruralcontractor.co.nz which means you can now read us on line.
You can now, also sign up to our monthly newsletter, oh and don’t forget to follow our
social pages on Instagram and Facebook, simply search NZ Rural Contractor & Large Scale Farmer.
A digital offering is important in today’s market as consumption trends have changed for some. With that being said, print is our priority here at Rural Contractor & Large Scale Farmer, print is here to stay and in fact print is not just surviving but we are seeing consumer preferences trending back towards traditional print media within many sectors.
And finally, a nod to Paul Titus and his dad jokes, here is one to ease you into the February/March issue.
Why did the farmer bury all his money?
A banker visited a farmer and asked, “Why don’t you keep your money in a bank like everyone else?” The farmer smiled and said, “Oh, I do—my bank has the best interest rates.” The banker looked around, confused. “Where exactly is this bank?”
The farmer pointed to his freshly ploughed field. “Right there! Every year, I plant my money, and wouldn’t you know it—my soil gets richer and richer!”
Contributions - Editorial and photographic contributions are welcomed and should be sent directly to AgriMedia Ltd. Editing of submissions is at the sole discretion of the editor and will accept no responsibility for unsolicited material.
NEW STRATEGY SEEKS TO GROW ARABLE INDUSTRY
A NEW ARABLE INDUSTRY STRATEGY AIMS TO PROVIDE CROPPING FARMERS WITH THE SKILLS, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE FUTURE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY.
Arable farmers are the unsung heroes of New Zealand’s primary sector, contributing more than $2 billion to the economy through their production of grain, high value seed and an increasing range of other crops.
In addition to growing cereals, such as wheat, barley and oats, New Zealand is the largest radish and white clover seed producer in the world and a major player in grass seeds, contributing to exports in excess of $270 million per annum.
Outputs from the arable sector are also vital to the $35b livestock industry, through seeds for pastures, grains and other inputs for animal feed.
New Zealand’s arable growers manage complex farming systems, often with a wide range of crops grown in rotation, usually in combination with livestock.
Called Future Fields 2030, the New Zealand Arable Production Growth Strategy
is a collaboration between the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), Federated Farmers’ Arable Sector Group, United Wheatgrowers and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
It was launched at FAR’s CROPS field day at its Chertsey Arable Research Site near Ashburton.
FEDERATED FARMERS ARABLE INDUSTRY GROUP CHAIR DAVID BIRKETT AND FAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE ALISON STEWART LAUNCH THE NEW ZEALAND ARABLE PRODUCTION GROWTH STRATEGY, CALLED FUTURE FIELDS.
KUBOTA AND HURRICANES SIGN SIGNIFICANT PARTNERSHIP
THE HURRICANES ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME JAPANESE MULTINATIONAL COMPANY, KUBOTA, ON BOARD AS THE NEW HOME JERSEY SPONSOR FOR 2025 AND 2026.
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee was delighted with the new partnership and had nothing but praise for his early interactions with the Kubota team.
“We’re proud to have a globally recognised brand like Kubota join our extended Hurricanes whānau.
"It was evident from the get-go that both organisations have a lot to benefit from this partnership, and we’re really aligned in what we want to achieve over the next two years,” says Avan.
“Although they’re a truly global brand, we’ve already developed a great connection with the local team in Palmerston North, and we see that as a testament to how much they know and genuinely care about their customers in the community too. We felt this mirrored our own values around connection and care for our people and fans.”
Kubota NZ Marketing and Business Development Manager, Ian Massicks, was equally optimistic about the partnership, seeing it as an opportunity to continue to build on Kubota’s growing brand awareness, and further immerse themselves in the social fabric of New Zealand.
"Partnering with the Hurricanes presents a tremendous opportunity for the Kubota brand, not only in New Zealand but on a global scale. As one of the world's most
celebrated sports, rugby offers Kubota a unique chance to connect with audiences worldwide, week after week, while showcasing our commitment to excellence,” says Ian.
Dave Hutchens, General Manager of Commercial and Marketing for the Hurricanes, expressed his own enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasising its importance for both the men’s and women’s teams.
“Having the Kubota brand on our home jerseys for both the men’s and women’s teams is hugely significant. Kubota’s global
presence not only supports our club’s wider goals for growth on the international stage, but it also promotes greater representation and visibility for women in sport.
"Kubota were clear from the outset that support of our Poua team was an integral part of forming a partnership with them,” says Dave.
The Hurricanes will debut their new home jersey in Round 2 of the 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition, facing Fijian Drua at McLean Park in Napier on February 22, 2025. Hurricanes Poua follow suit on March 1 at SKY Stadium against the Blues.
The strategy considers how arable growers’ businesses, and the sector overall, might be strengthened and better equipped to identify and pursue high value opportunities into the future.
During the strategy’s development, the initial focus was identifying potential new crops for the arable sector.
However, it became clear that arable growers are already managing complex crop rotations and, with support from entities such as FAR, continually upskilling to enable the growing of new crops.
Future Fields 2030 builds on the arable sector’s strong base of agronomy-focused research and extension, adding three priorities: building skills for success, standards of excellence and enabling infrastructure.
Building skills includes everything from improving financial literacy to evaluating value chain opportunities beyond the farm gate, enabling arable farmers to connect with food innovators, start-ups and existing food businesses.
Standards of excellence involves identifying and verifying the production and environmental assurance standards required to provide customer confidence and build preference for New Zealand arable growers and their products.
The third tier involves identifying infrastructure opportunities, both on- and off-farm. This includes exploring possible machinery pools/syndicates to reduce costs of production, addressing infrastructure gaps on-farm and opportunities for investment off-farm in arable transport,
storage and processing infrastructure.
FAR chair Steven Bierema says FAR is pleased to support the Future Fields 2030 strategy. “This strategy is crucial for ensuring that our growers are equipped to meet emerging market demands and is directly aligned with FAR’s commitment to driving research and development to enhance farmer profitability and sustainability.”
Federated Farmers Arable Industry Group chair David Birkett says the strategy “will enable growers to better capture future opportunities and develop more autonomy within their businesses”.
The strategy has set time-lines and measures for delivery through to 2030, with funding sought from levies, industry and government.
We’re here for the good of the country.
MECHANICAL WEEDING MAKES A COMEBACK
A WORRYING INCREASE IN THE PREVALENCE OF HERBICIDE RESISTANCE AS WELL AS CONSUMER PRESSURE TO REDUCE CHEMICAL USE IS RESULTING IN MECHANICAL WEEDERS MAKING A COMEBACK AS AN ALTERNATIVE WEED CONTROL IN ARABLE CROPS.
Rather than being a relic from decades ago, modern mechanical weeders are highly effective and often high-tech machines that can match chemical control in many situations, says Foundation for Arable Research senior field researcher Charles Merfield, more commonly known as Merf.
“Mechanical weeding has undergone a technological leap forward in the last two decades.”
Mechanical weeding has traditionally been a tool only used by organic growers, but in the last few years it is increasingly becoming an everyday approach adopted by conventional farmers, particularly in the United States and Europe, as chemical options become limited or are no longer effective.
Market requirements and government regulation, particularly in Europe, are also resulting in the effective loss of some herbicides, which is having a flow-on affect for some New Zealand growers.
“A grower in New Zealand was told by their seed buyer in Europe that he was using too much herbicide. He looked at his programme and the only way to reduce herbicide use was to introduce mechanical weeding. He bought a 6-metre mechanical weeder due to customer demand.”
Mechanical weeding is one component of an integrated weed management strategy that growers will need to consider moving forward, especially as herbicide resistance
becomes prevalent. The most at-risk chemistries are mode of action Groups 1 and 2, with ryegrass, wild oats, canary grass, chickweed, willow weed, sow thistles and prairie grass the main problems. Group 15 resistance is also starting to appear.
“If you want your chemicals to look after you, you need to look after your chemicals. You can do that by replacing some chemical use with mechanical weeding,” Merf says.
“You can use mechanical weeding to replace a herbicide application, but you need to consider which herbicide to drop out. So, there is some complexity to consider.”
Some of the world’s biggest agricultural machinery companies, including John Deere, Monosem, New Holland, Kverneland, Väderstad and Lemken, now offer mechanical weeders, some through the acquisition of specialised mechanical weeding companies. This indicates an increasing market demand, Merf says.
The decision-making process in terms of what type of mechanical weeder to use is also much simpler.
“It used to be complex, with dozens of different designs of machine. This has now been fine-tuned to a handful, particularly for arable crops.
For broadacre arable crops, the starting point is a spring tine weeder. Machines of up to 30m wide now exist, allowing substantial work rates, Merf says.
FAR has purchased an Einböck 6m spring tine weeder to undertake research and demonstration.
“Simple in concept, highly effective in use, they consist of a large number of thin, sprung metal tines that rake through the soil surface pulling up, breaking and burying small weeds. Recent advances include constant down pressure regardless of tine angles as well as on-the-go adjustment.”
It can weed a wide range of crops at different growth stages.
FAR’s general manager research,
FAR SENIOR FIELD RESEARCHER CHARLES MERFIELD SAYS THAT AS THE INCIDENCE OF HERBICIDE RESISTANCE INCREASES, MECHANICAL WEEDING, BOTH IN THE CROP AND ALONG THE FENCELINE, PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE TO CHEMICAL CONTROL.
development and extension Andrew Pitman says that “with herbicide resistance becoming an increasing challenge for our arable systems, it’s essential to use every tool available to tackle the problem. FAR has invested in a tine weeder to give farmers the opportunity to see these machines in action and understand how they can be integrated into on-farm operations.
“We’ll collect weed control data and demonstrate the machine’s effectiveness to help farmers feel confident about the potential return on investment,” Andrew says.
For growers looking to purchase a mechanical weeder, Merf recommends starting with a smallish 6m machine. “Start playing with it down the sides of the paddock and understanding what it can and can’t do and then scale up.”
While crops may look worse for wear immediately after a pass by a mechanical weeder, within a day or two plants will pick up again, Merf says.
As an alternative to a spring tine weeder, the second contiguous (broadacre) option is the spoon weeder which Americans call a rotary hoe, or an Einböck Aerostar rotation. What used to be called interrow hoes (an incontiguous weeder) can now weed both the interrow and the intrarow (crop row), so are being rebranded as row hoes.
“This is where the biggest advances have occurred. They have developed into a weeding platform on which a diverse range of weeding tools, both interrow and intrarow, are mounted to match the crop, weeds and soil conditions. They also have computer guidance systems, mostly camera, with some GPS, which enable faster driving speeds,” Merf says. For more information: FAR Arable Extra, issue 134, 'Mechanical weed management'.
THE TRACTOR OF THE YEAR IS HERE.
At Agritechnica 2023, Fendt unveiled the completely newly developed Fendt 600 Vario series to the world, winning both the “Farm Machine 2024” Award in the mid range tractor category as well as the prestigious “Audience choice award”. The accolades have continued to roll in since, more recently winning the compact four-cylinder ‘MidPower Tractor of the Year 2025’ at EIMA in Italy. The multi award winner has now landed on New Zealand shores, ready to tackle the challenges of Kiwi farming and beyond.
Compact in size but powerful in performance, the new 600 Vario is built with the innovation you'd expect from Fendt.
At its core is the Fendt VarioDrive transmission for intelligent power delivery, the new AGCO Power CORE50 low-revving engine, and the FendtOne operating system — designed to make long working days more productive and less tiring.
In addition, a suite of new options is available, including Variogrip and reversible fan.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. Put the Tractor of the Year to the test and see for yourself.
Speak to your local Fendt dealer today about a 600 Series demo drive.
AUSSIE-MADE TRACKS FOR TRACTORS, TRAILERS, IMPLEMENTS
WHEN SHOULD YOU REINVENT THE WHEEL? HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU WANT ACCESS TO PADDOCKS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS? OR YOU WANT TO REDUCE BOGGING AND RUTTING AND MINIMISE SOIL COMPACTION BY SPREADING THE WEIGHT OF MACHINERY?
Melbourne-based Stryder Track Systems manufactures track systems for tractors, trailers and other implements such as sprayers and air-seeders. It also makes them for non-agricultural gear, such as giant aircompressor trailers.
This is a relatively new product line, which began as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At that time, TKV Group was importing agricultural tracks systems into Australia. When Covid caused big delays, they decided they needed a new strategy to care for their customers.
Stryder brand manager Mitch Jarrett says if a part is unavailable for 20 weeks, it is not a
TKV tagline, which is ‘We’ll keep you moving’. That was when Stryder was born.
Stryder became a sister company and manufacturing arm for TKV. It made its first set of tracks for an ag trailer in 2020, which is pretty impressive given that Covid only really hit home in early 2020.
Manufacturing their own tracks and supplying parts got around the Covid
incentive two years later.
“2022 was the wettest year in Australia and track systems were flying out the door. We couldn’t order what we needed. It made sense to keep making our own,” Mitch says.
A STRYDER TRACK SYSTEM HARD AT WORK
making tracks for predominantly air-seeders and grain bins. Since then they have added horticulture and viticulture to the list.
They make tracks for tractors from around 100 hp as well as for trailed implements.
Stryder is a small company, but it is growing and very nimble. They are now shipping their tracks to New Zealand.
Mitch says two tractors that dominate the market in Australia are the Kubota M5 and Fendt F211, so they have designed track systems for them. “But if someone wanted tracks for, say, a 5-series John Deere then we will say ‘Yes’, but it may take a little longer to get them to your door.”
Stryder have had enquiries for tracks for tractors from 50 hp up to 400 hp.
“We eventually want to get to the full range, but we started with the 80-120 hp because that was where the demand was. We are now developing tracks for the 200 hp range. If you want a conversion track system for the 400 hp tractor range, ask us in 18 months.”
Mitch is very clear that tracks are not for everyone. Tracks will play a big role in the future of agriculture, but unless you are solving a problem, you may not have an immediate need for them.
One of the benefits of Stryder tracks is that they are simple to swap for wheels. Some customers use the tracks for, say, three months and then go back to wheels.
“Our half-track can be whipped on or off in half an hour if you know what you're doing. If you can fit a tyre and wheel on a tractor, you can fit the track systems. It could take 90 minutes if you haven’t done it before, but you could always give us a call and we can talk you through the steps. It’s very simple stuff.”
Stryder provides a fitment kit for each tractor brand and model. Mitch says if an agribusiness runs a fleet of the same tractor model, they can share one track system among them.
Two main types of Stryder tracks are available for non-driven equipment – the versatile multi terrain system (VMTS) and the intelligent multi-terrain system (IMTS).
The VMTS is a rigid trailed track system that bolts onto the existing hub on a singleaxle vehicle. It is cost-effective and has a simple design, with just a few components. The downside is it doesn’t have any form of suspension.
The IMTS is also a trailed system, but it has multiple pivot points and fore and aft pivoting rollers, so it follows the lay of the land. It evenly displaces the weight of the implement, which reduces point loading, absorbs bumps and vibration, lowers rolling resistance, and reduces soil compaction. IMTS tracks can be fitted on implements weighing from 35 to 60 tonnes.
Stryder is expanding its range of options for trailed vehicles. They have developed tracks for 3- to 8-tonne trailers, as well as one for 16-tonne trailers. Tracks for 20-tonne trailers is in development.
When you buy a set of Stryder tracks,
Stryder’s ultimate aim is to provide tracks globally. Currently their main markets are Australia and they are just starting in New Zealand.
Anything in the Stryder range can be shipped to New Zealand along with supporting parts. In time, Stryder wants to have a permanent sales rep and stockist in New Zealand. They are already working with Waikato-based HW Industries. HW Industries is an engineering company that manufactures agricultural and construction products including heavy-duty trailers. They now offer tracked options for their trailers using Stryder tracks. Mitch Jarrett says there are so many benefits to tracks for Kiwi agriculture. They can prevent rutting and loss of yield through compaction. They boost sustainability, which can help farming endure for future generations.
education is part of the package.
“Before we sell anything we educate the customer on anything they need to know and we provide our own maintenance manual. Apart from daily checks, maintenance is minimal.
“The speed limit with our tracks is about 40 kph for 100 hp tractors, but we don’t like people to go over 25 kph. If you travel 1 km a day on a road and the vehicle is not loaded, then 30 kph is probably okay. But if you do it continuously it will shorten the life of the tracks. Tracks don’t like speed and heat, so if you can manage that then you are fine.”
While Stryder’s main market is agriculture, they also provide tracks for the mining and construction industries.
Looking ahead, the future is bright. One of Stryder’s new projects is to put tracks on pivot irrigators. A grower in South Australia is having issues with pivots getting stuck.
“If the irrigator is still pumping out water but not rotating, it floods a section. That is not good for the paddock, and then it is not good for staff. It ties up them and equipment and no one enjoys the job.”
Mitch says tracks can also help meet health and safety obligations.
“We have guys who use flotation tyres to avoid rutting, but then they can’t get the traction. When they try to pull a 3000-litre sprayer uphill they start spinning, which is dangerous. Or they half-fill the sprayer to get up and that’s not effective either.”
stryder in aotearoa
CARRFIELDS PASTORAL TEAM GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
CARRFIELDS GRAIN & SEED HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE SIZE OF ITS PASTORAL AGRONOMY TEAM TO MEET THE GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR ITS SERVICES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.
The team has grown from one pastoral agronomist to five. Representatives are now spread across North Canterbury, Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury and Central Otago.
Carrfields pastoral agronomist Logan Tasker says the team’s expansion is the result of a strategic business decision to invest further in pastoral agronomy.
“We identified a clear opportunity to add value in the pastoral agronomy space, while also working more closely with farmers to navigate a path through the myriad changes facing the pastoral sector from a regulatory and compliance point of view,” Logan says. Farmers are facing numerous challenges such as nitrogen use limits, which are now capped at 190 units of nitrogen/ha in some farming systems. There are also winter grazing compliance rules governing the amount of winter feed farmers are allowed to grow and the aspect of the paddock where it is grown.
As a business, Carrfields Grain & Seed foresaw a need to have representatives readily available to farmers to tackle these issues together and adapt to change.
Logan says having more representatives on the ground enables Carrfields to work with local farmers more efficiently and add more value to their operations. Their aim is to focus solely on pastoral agronomy and not get distracted by other opportunities.
“We have had a presence in pastoral agronomy, mainly in Mid Canterbury, for a while. Now our enlarged team can offer a South Island-wide service. We provide tailored agronomy solutions, recommendations, and advice specific to individual farmers’ operations.”
The team has a strong focus on identifying opportunities to add value and increase efficiencies in farming operations. This includes such technology as Agworld agronomy software, which can help futureproof farmers’ operations.
“We believe the expanded pastoral side of our business complements our arable business, as more farmers are now looking for alternative options to diversify their farming operations. In all our dealings with farmers we aim to work collaboratively to get the best outcomes across the board. We
CARRFIELDS PASTORAL AGRONOMIST JAMIE TAPP CHECKING A CROP OF FELDHERR FODDER BEET.
tailored advice to the unique circumstances of each operation,” Logan says.
The five pastoral agronomists in Carrfields Grain & Seed’s agronomy team are Jamie Tapp (North Canterbury), Johnny Doyle and Logan Tasker (Mid Canterbury), Nicole Holiday (South Canterbury) and Huw Murray (Central Otago). Another will be added in the Central Otago region soon.
All five agronomists have significant experience and expertise in the pastoral sector, so they have been able to hit the ground running and assist farmers to make strategic changes to their operations and place them on the front foot to meet future challenges.
Along with agronomic information, they can supply retail seed and advise how to use it. They can also supply information about agrichemicals, grain trading, cereal and forage seed varieties, and seed production contracts.
Carrfields Grain & Seed also provides seed multiplication and production services in New Zealand, Oregon and Europe. It has a global reputation for marketing cereals, pulses, forages and vegetable seeds to more than 50 countries.
HAVING MORE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE GROUND ENABLES CARRFIELDS TO WORK WITH LOCAL FARMERS MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ADD MORE VALUE TO THEIR OPERATIONS.
NEW HOLLAND RENEWS NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP AND CELEBRATES TRACTOR PRIZE
THE VALUE AND IMPACT OF THE NEW ZEALAND FMG YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR CONTEST COULD BE SEEN ON THE FACE OF THE 2024 WINNER, GEORGE DODSON, WHEN PRESENTED WITH HIS PRIZE, AND IT’S A BIG PART OF THE REASON NEW HOLLAND HAVE COME BACK ON BOARD AS A MAJOR COMPETITION SPONSOR.
As part of his 2024 New Zealand FMG Young Farmer of the Year award, George received a New Holland Boomer 25C tractor, 'which was presented to him recently. by CNH Sales Manager Dave Knowles, and Alastair Robertson, from Cochranes, George’s local dealership.
It was a great early Christmas present and worthy recognition for the passionate 23-year-old Canterbury dairy farmer, from Charing Cross in the Selwyn district, having secured the prestigious award in 2024 following rounds of preliminary judging, and finally three days of challenges against six other finalists.
George said he felt like he’d won the lottery, finally being able to get hands on his brand-new tractor.
“It’s going to be very handy around the farm, and we’ll be able to put it to work on a lot of jobs, like mowing roadsides and tanker roundabouts, as well as pulling the milk feeder to and from the bobby calves,” he said, thanking New Holland for sponsoring the competition and for the generous prize.
Dave said the competition was important for recognising the young talent within New Zealand’s agriculture industry and for highlighting the importance of agriculture to the nation.
“New Holland is so proud to be a sponsor of this competition because these young farmers are the industry’s future, and anything we can do to encourage and support our young people to see agriculture as an exciting and important career path is a great investment,” he said.
“We’re delighted to have renewed our sponsorship for another three years and look forward to seeing the incredible talent
CNH’S DAVE KNOWLES WITH NZ FMG YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR
AND HIS NEW HOLLAND TRACTOR.
on show for 2025 and in the future.”
George works on a dairy farm 30 minutes south of Christchurch, and following the end of this season mid next year he has plans to transition to a larger-scale dairy operation.
“I have a number of opportunities within the industry, which I’m looking forward to exploring, and I’m excited about the future of farming here in New Zealand,” he said.
GEORGE DODSON
NEW PROJECT – “PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF CATCH CROPS”
DURING THE LAST NINE YEARS, RESEARCHERS AT THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE FOR PLANT AND FOOD RESEARCH LIMITED (PLANT & FOOD RESEARCH) HAVE BEEN TESTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND PRODUCTIVE WORTH OF CATCH CROPS FOLLOWING WINTER FORAGE CROP GRAZING.
Many of the trials have been on commercial farms, spanning multiple regions and soil types.
The results have surprised the research team with crops like forage oats consistently establishing in very cold and wet conditions in Canterbury, the West Coast, and even in Southland. On-farm oat dry matter (DM) yields at green-chop silage maturity ('booting') have been as high as 12 t DM/ha with good metabolisable energy and crude protein levels, and yields typically range between 6 and 9 t DM/ha.
Importantly, catch crops were first tested for their ability to reduce the risk of nitrate leaching following winter grazing. Controlled, multi-season monolith lysimeter trials in Canterbury and Southland showed that nitrate leaching losses from winter deposited urine (the main source of nitrogen losses) were reduced by up to 60% in the presence of forage oats when compared with fallow conditions.
Catch crops are slow to establish in the winter months following grazed winter forages, with most of the biomass produced in late October and November. However, catch crops have been shown to preferentially take up nitrogen over and above requirements in the early growth stages, meaning significant amounts of nitrogen can be captured during that critical leaching
Potential figure and photographs for inclusion:
FIGURE 1. CUMULATIVE CATCH CROP YIELDS FROM DIFFERENT SPECIES AND ESTABLISHMENT METHOD COMBINATIONS AT ONE OF THE CANTERBURY HIGH COUNTRY SITES.
Oats (cultivated)
Oats (direct drilled)
Oats + Italian (cultivated)
Oats + Italian (direct drilled)
Ryecorn (direct drilled)
Ryecorn + Italian (direct drilled)
Italian (direct drilled)
period. A fundamental key to success is to sow the catch crop (e.g. oats, oats plus Italian or tetraploid hybrid ryegrass) as soon as the ground conditions allow and when average daily soil temperatures are above 4 degrees Celsius.
On the back of this success, the research team were challenged with testing catch cropping in even tougher environments, such as the Canterbury high country and inland Otago. With primary funding from the T.R. Ellett Agricultural Research Trust, co-funding from Plant & Food Research and Environment Canterbury, and aligned support from AgResearch, the team have since successfully completed one season of four independent trials on sheep and beef properties in both these regions as part of a new two-year project called ‘Pushing the boundaries of catch crops’. Altitudes at the experimental
sites were between 300 and 700 metres above sea level (masl). Treatments were a combination of oats, ryecorn and Italian ryegrass, while barley and establishment practice (tillage vs direct drilling) treatments were tested at selected sites. Trials were set up in August 2024 and taken through to green-chop silage in late November/early- to mid-December.
Figure 1. Cumulative catch crop yields from different species and establishment method combinations at one Canterbury high country sites
The results exceeded expectation. Except for one of the sites close to Wanaka where spring conditions were abnormally cold and wet, a one in twenty-year season according to the farmer, forage oat yields were recorded between 6.8 and 10.5 t DM/ha, with up to 193 kg N/ha captured (see example in Figure 1). Even at the Wānaka site, yields were between 3.1 and 4.7 t DM/ha. Typically, after winter grazing in these high-country areas, crops are not sown until late spring. However, these results have shown that with the right crop and some tweaks to the system, catch crops could be a game-changer. While initial results have been promising, the researchers do stress that it is important to not get too carried away just yet, as conditions and outcomes could be quite different in another year. The plan is to repeat the trials again for a second season this coming winter–spring in both regions, if additional financial support can be secured.
One of the interesting and notable findings was the high proportion of plants that emerged at most of the sites. Thinking that the cold environment would jeopardise germination performance, sowing rates were intentionally higher than the recommended rates in other regions (e.g. 160 kg oat seed/ ha vs a more typical rate of 110–120 kg/ha). Although soil temperatures were notably
for Spring 2025
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HIGH VOLUME MAIZEKING AND SILAGEKING FOR BUILT-IN APPLICATOR SYSTEMS
IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FROM FARMERS AND CONTRACTORS, BIOSTART HAS NOW DEVELOPED A HIGH VOLUME FORM OF MAIZEKING AND SILAGEKING THAT CAN BE USED IN THE BUILTIN SILAGE APPLICATOR SYSTEMS IN FORAGE HARVESTERS. BOTH PRODUCTS CAN ALSO BE USED IN THE FORAGE HARVERTER’S INTERNAL TANK SET UP.
MaizeKing and the new MaizeKingHV are both designed to preserve a premium maize silage with minimum fuss, just at different application rates. Similarly, SilageKing and SilageKingHV are both designed to preserve cereal, lucerne and grass silage, but at different rates.
MaizeKingHV is available in 1000 L totes and has an application rate of 300 ml/wet tonne (treating 3,330 wet tonne), while their traditional low volume MaizeKing, which matches with the Ascot Pumps, is still
available in 20 L drums and 1000 L totes and treats 115 mL/wet tonne of forage.
SilageKingHV has an application rate of 350 ml/wet tonne while low volume SilageKing, still available in 20 L and 1000 L totes and has an application rate of 150 mL/wet tonne of forage. SilageKing is also available in 20 kg bags of granules.
Dr Jerome Demmer, CEO of BioStart, explains how MaizeKing and MaizeKingHV work. “All crops have naturally-occurring spoilage microbes and ensiling microbes living on them.
Once the crop is cut the spoilage organisms compete with the ensiling microbes for the plant’s food source and space to establish themselves. MaizeKing’s anti-microbial activity inhibits the growth of spoilage or mould causing micro-organisms during this first, aerobic phase of ensiling. This anti-microbial stage clears the silage of pathogens.
“The second mode of action is to activate the beneficial ensiling bacteria, lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria, to increase in number so they dominate instead of the pathogens. These bacteria then ensile the maize. Trials
TABLE 1. TRIALS SHOW MORE ENSILING MICROBES ARE ACTIVATED AND THIS PRODUCES MAIZE SILAGE WITH HIGHER DRY MATTER AND MORE METABOLIZABLE ENERGY THAN UNTREATED SILAGE.
of MaizeKing-treated and untreated of maize silage show that Maize¬King increased the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and acetic acid bacteria (AAB) on silage and reduces DM loss. This results in a higher energy maize silage,” says Jerome.
SilageKing and SilageKingHV work similarly but is formulated for cereal, lucerne and grass silage, creating better silage out of both both low and high-quality forage.
MaizeKing, SilageKing, MaizeKingHV and SilageKingHV are all applied direct from the drum without any dilution and are stable at room temperature. They can also be used after opening, between jobs and over multiple days, without going off, so there is no wastage of part drums.
For more information please contact BioStart on 0800 274 524.
TABLE 2. DRY MATTER, ME AND DIGESTIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED IN BOTH
BY USING SILAGEKING.
cold, particularly at the 700 masl site, the high emergence rates were put down to the freedraining nature of the soils.
Of further interest was how the oats consistently outperformed ryecorn at all sites. This was attributed to the improvement in genetics of forage oats in recent years, and the faster maturation rate of ryecorn.
The question now for farmers in these communities is how this extra feed potential can be utilised and how it fits into the farming system without compromising the production of other important crops. For example, catch crops can draw on moisture reserves from the soil making it difficult to establish the next main crop or pasture. These are some of the
AND
challenges the researchers and farmers will collectively explore throughout the remainder of the project.
For more information, feel free to get in touch with the project leader Brendon Malcolm, at Brendon.Malcolm@ plantandfood.co.nz, or on the catch crop Facebook page.
BALING PERFECTION
V6750 VARIABLE CHAMBER
The McHale V6750 variable chamber round baler has been designed with the demands of today’s farmer and contractor in mind.
• High-Intake 2.1m pick-up
• 15 knife heavy-duty chopper unit and feed rotor
• Double drive system with auto greasing
• Net and bale density can be adjusted from the cab through the console
THE HIGH PERFORMANCE FOOD PROCESSOR
FUSION 4 PLUS
The Fusion 4 Plus is a fully automatic integrated baler wrapper which can apply film or net wrap to the barrel of the bale, delivering optimum bale density.
• Maximum output whilst keeping the machine short and compact at 5.8 metres in length
• 25 knife-chopping unit
• Patented unique bale transfer technique
• ISOBUS ready
VARIO PLUS
The Fusion Vario Plus is a fully automatic integrated baler wrapper that applies film or net wrap to the barrel of the bale, delivering optimum bale density.
• Hay and straw bales from 0.6m to 1.68m
• Haylage or silage bales from 1m to 1.45m to allow for wrapping
Find your local dealer
PRACTICAL WAYS TO FARM WITHOUT HARM
THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS TO GET HARMED WORKING ON A FARM. ON AVERAGE 17 OF US DIE EVERY YEAR DOING FARM WORK AND ANOTHER 2850 ARE OFF WORK FOR A WEEK OR MORE THROUGH INJURY.
Farm without Harm is a whole of sector approach to getting preventable harm out of agriculture. Its aim is to help people in the industry work together to avoid becoming one of those statistics.
Launched in June last year by Safer Farms, and designed with farmers, their communities, iwi, industry leadership bodies and primary sector organisations, it is the first time the whole sector has come together to address issues that lead to harm.
Its vision is ‘Every day, farming people protect each other from preventable harm’.
Farm without Harm ambassador Lindy Nelson says over the next six years they aim to change the culture around health, safety and wellbeing in farming.
She says Farm without Harm is focused on the four high harm areas that are statistically where the most damage occurs.
These are 1) psychosocial risks that diminish wellbeing, 2) harm in and around vehicles and machinery, 3) muscular stress and injury caused by livestock handling, and 4) harm caused by exposure to agri chemicals and airborne risks.
A focus for Farm without Harm is rethinking
how we talk about health, safety and wellbeing. The aim is for rural people to help other rural people and learn from each other. It is not about outsiders imposing an impossible regime.
“This strategy represents a fresh approach to wellbeing on our farms. It involves gaining a deeper understanding of different forms of harm, redesigning our farming systems to prevent harm, and fostering a caring culture among us.
“Instead of relying on high-viz vests or helmets, we are looking to eliminate harm from the system by learning together, understanding that safety starts with a culture of care and investing in new approaches.
“This is our line in the sand. We need to do things differently.”
Farm without Harm is about more than ‘don’t die’. It is about thriving, and that includes improving mental health and avoiding the strains and sprains that can slow you down for a few weeks.
Mental health issues include the stresses that come from trying to do everything while maintaining relationships (including those with staff), often with lack of sleep or time off the farm.
Health and safety is not just about farmers and farm staff. It must also include contractors. What hazards or risks are present on your farm? Who knows where you are and what you are doing? What system is in place to log contractors in and out and keep them aware of current conditions?
FARM WITHOUT HARM AMBASSADOR LINDY NELSON SAYS THE INITIATIVE IS FINDING WAYS TO HELP FARMING PEOPLE CREATE A CULTURE OF SAFETY.
This information must be available to all the contract team, not just the owner or manager.
Practical help
Working around vehicles is where the most serious harm occurs. On average 11 people die every year in or around vehicles. The stats say from 2008 to 2020, 52 people died around quad bikes, 45 died around tractors, and another 48 died around other vehicles (utes, trucks etc.).
“Everyone in farming knows someone who has had a near miss, an accident or been killed on an ATV or quad. Rollovers are a major cause of fatalities on quad bikes. Addressing this has been a big focus recently,” Lindy says.
Farm without Harm has some practical help and advice about vehicles.
First, ask if the quad bike is the right vehicle for the job you are doing, and the conditions you are working in? Take the extra time to go back for the ute or tractor if necessary.
The aim is to prevent anything going wrong in the first place. If it does, then, do we have systems in place to help us fail safely?
“Consider risks, talk to your team about jobs that need to be done that day, and whether a different vehicle might be safer.”
Farm without Harm regularly publishes safety alerts on its website. These are learnings from real life incidents on farms. People can sign up to receive them, print
FARM WITHOUT HARM IS FOCUSED ON THE HIGH HARM AREAS THAT ARE STATISTICALLY WHERE THE MOST DAMAGE OCCURS.
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them out and discuss them with their teams.
Ask, could this happen on our farm? There are examples of contractor incidents, vehicle rollovers, machinery entanglement and more. This is an example of farmers learning from each other, and preventing similar accidents happening in the future.
The most common injuries in farming occur when handling livestock, being hit by moving objects (often the aforementioned livestock), falls and slips, and body stresses. The latter include sprains and strains, which are the majority of claims from the rural sector to ACC.
Lindy says DairyNZ has done a lot of work to reduce injury. For example, they are working on a new entry gate for calf trailers.
“It is a spring-loaded gate. When you lift calves it opens and you don’t have to fiddle one-handed to open it.”
Harm from chemical exposure is trickier to quantify as it can take longer to manifest. According to the Farm without Harm website, WorkSafe estimates that a worker is 15 times more likely to die from a work-related disease than a workplace accident in any sector.
That includes neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and many types of cancers. That means 255 farmers or farm workers will have shortened lifespans every year because of chemical exposure.
Rather than just focus on PPE, Farm without Harm suggests considering higher level controls, such as swapping chemicals or spraying with less human contact.
Barriers to change
One barrier to change is the belief that production outweighs safety. This may be a trip point for contractors.
If bad weather is on the way, for example, and you want to do the best for your clients, it is tempting to keep working through the night. How does that affect the chances of an operator making a mistake either while working, or on the drive home?
“Twenty-four percent of accidents happen when drivers are over-tired, stressed and fatigued. It is a massive factor.”
Another barrier, especially for farmers, is they are already so over-loaded with regulations, that having to rethink how to structure daily activities is just too much. In that situation, health and safety take a back step. Farm without Harm notes that if something goes wrong on a farm, everyone involved should learn from it. This is where the safety alerts come in handy.
Anyone can send Farm without Harm information on an incident. The health and safety team will work through it, figure out what we all need to learn and then post the anonymous information on the website or email it to subscribers as a case study.
For example, if a lone worker is injured, can systems be put in place so they can call for help immediately? Or a shepherd on a quad bike is so focused on their dogs that they did not notice the bike start to tip. Scenarios like this prompted Farm on Harm to develop a safety sheet about distractions.
When production is valued more than safety, it can cause incidents. A tractor operator rolled down a bank when trying to retrieve an empty bale feeder. The paddock was muddy and pugged and the task could have been done later.
We can all be guilty of tunnel vision and the ‘just do it’ vibe. Often we could leave a task for later and go do something else. As Farm without Harm puts it ‘Stop, think and then do… but only if it is safe’.
“It’s about meeting farmers where they are at, not telling them what to do. We are presenting solutions and putting farm safety in front of everyone. Farmers can print them off and take them to their team meetings or put them up in the smoko room or shed for the team to read,” Lindy says.
A safety alert can cut through the noise, because they are from farming people who have made a mistake. It can often be very easy to relate to your own operation.
It can jolt us out of the belief that ‘nothing bad has happened to any of my people, so we are doing it right’. Bad stuff can happen, so how do we fail safely?
Everyone is encouraged to check out the Farm without Harm website (farmwithoutharm.org.nz) and to submit incidents so safety alerts can go out.
Lindy says everyone is welcome to join Safer Farms as a member. “We rely on membership to do the work we do. It enables us to shape the future of health and safety in New Zealand.”
Impressive results in all conditions
The Rapid seed drill carries out seedbed preparation, levelling, drilling and reconsolidation in one pass. It offers a reliable seeding result at high working speed. The simplicity in construction, paired with a high machine quality ensures a long working life and low operating costs.
NZ AND UK AGRITECH SECTORS TO COOPERATE
AGRITECHNZ AND THE UK AGRI-TECH CENTRE (UKATC) HAVE SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO STRENGTHEN TIES AND PROMOTE THE EXCHANGE OF EXPERTISE AND IDEAS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
UKATC and AgriTechNZ are similar coalitions of bodies who want to advance agricultural technology in the their respective countries through research, partnerships, and global cooperation.
AgriTechNZ chair Bridgit Hawkins says the agreement is a milestone in the organisation’s mission to build global partnerships and innovation in the agritech sector.
“By creating pathways between New Zealand and the UK, we are amplifying opportunities for collaboration to advance agricultural knowledge and innovation,” Bridgit says.
UKATC CEO Phil Bicknell says he welcomes the MOU with AgriTechNZ.
“Working together highlights the importance of partnership in this area and it demonstrates the positive impact we can have on the agritech industry. I look forward to seeing fruitful opportunities develop to the benefit of both countries,” Phil says.
As a new platform for collaboration, the MoU outlines
initiatives that focus on:
• Knowledge exchange. Share expertise and insights to support innovation.
• Market support. Help companies develop new markets through incubation and resources.
• Joint events and activities.
Host webinars, workshops, and trade missions to strengthen connections.
• Collaborative research. Foster links to tackle mutual priorities.
• Farm trial networks. Connect farm trial networks in both countries so innovators can test technology in the opposite hemisphere.
• Funding opportunities. Explore joint bids for Horizon Europe (the EU's research and innovation funding
collective expertise, AgriTechNZ and UKATC aim to empower businesses developing technology that can support sustainable agricultural practices.
British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Iona Thomas,
AGRITECHNZ CHAIR BRIDGIT HAWKINS (LEFT) WITH UKATC CHIEF EXECUTIVE PHIL BICKNELL HAVE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO WORK TOGETHER.
The Vantage New Zealand responsive, reliable and ready to help in real time –
CROP PROTECTION SUPPLIER CELEBRATES TOITU CARBONREDUCE CERTIFICATION
NUFARM, YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN QUALITY CROP PROTECTION, IS PROUD TO HAVE ACHIEVED TOITŪ CARBON REDUCE CERTIFICATION, DEMONSTRATING THEIR COMMITMENT TO MEASURING, MANAGING, AND REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
TOITŪ ENVIROCARE IS A LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY VERIFICATION WITH ITS CERTIFICATIONS BEING SOME OF THE FIRST IN THE WORLD TO BE ACCREDITED UNDER ISO 14065.
“Becoming Toitū carbonreduce certified is a huge opportunity for Nufarm to add more value to our customers and end users,”
Nufarm’s Sustainability Lead Debbie Arnold says. To achieve certification, Nufarm measured its emissions for freight, business travel, waste, electricity usage and fuel in vehicles.
“We want to do the right thing not only for our people and customers, but for the environments in which we live and work. Our purpose is to grow a better tomorrow, and agricultural sustainability is integral to this.” Key carbon reductions made to the New Zealand business in the past three years include replacing diesel forklifts with electric forklifts and reach trucks; transitioning to hybrid cars in the company fleet and installing solar panels to power its South Island Distribution Centre.
Nufarm is also drawing sustainable connections with its customers. “Our sustainability initiative with PGG Wrightson ‘Wright for Waterways’ has been a huge highlight. Together, over the past two years,
we grew 180,000 Manuka trees and supplied these to their growers to plant on-farm or donate to rural communities throughout the country,” Emma Ault, Nufarm Marketing Manager says.
In addition, Nufarm’s move to high active ingredient load products, such as CRUCIAL®, Kamba® 750, Archer ® 750 and Nail® 600, are saving tonnes of plastic packaging and cutting container shipping requirements, when compared to their predecessors.
Becoming Toitū carbonreduce certified means the New Zealand business will now be audited every year to ensure it continues making progress in reducing its carbon footprint.
This ongoing commitment is part of Nufarm’s greater corporate focus on creating a more sustainable future. “We are proud to have achieved this certification, and to join the likes of Fonterra, Farmlands, Pāmu, Silver Fern Farms and other agrisector organisations which have gained this internationally recognised certification,” Debbie says.
Globally, Nuseed, the seed division of Nufarm, has established itself as a pioneer in agricultural biotechnology.
It was the first to develop and commercialise plant-based long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from canola, branded as Nutriterra® for human health and Aquaterra® for aquaculture. These products provide sustainable alternatives to marine-sourced omega-3s, reducing pressure on wild fish stocks while delivering essential nutritional benefits.
Additionally, Nuseed's Carinata® crop is an advanced bioenergy feedstock specifically developed for producing renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The oil from Carinata is certified sustainable and works seamlessly with existing liquid fuel infrastructure.
In 2023, Nuseed achieved a significant milestone by harvesting and processing Carinata under a 10-year agreement with BP, marking a step forward in renewable energy solutions.
Looking ahead, Nuseed is actively expanding Carinata production to meet the growing global demand for low-carbon energy sources, further contributing to renewable fuel markets and climate goals. Globally, Nufarm aims to cut type 1 and type 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. Domestically, the target is 20% fewer type 1 and 2 emissions by 2027.
‘WRIGHT FOR WATERWAYS’ SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE PLANTING TREES.
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WOOL CARPET EXCLUSION FROM KAINGA ORA CONTRACT SETS DAMAGING PRECEDENT
THE DELIBERATE EXCLUSION OF WOOL CARPET FROM STATE HOMES IN FAVOUR OF SYNTHETIC MATERIALS BY
KAINGA ORA SETS A DAMAGING PRECEDENT,
ACCORDING TO WOOL SECTOR ADVOCATES.
Under a new Request for Proposal for the national supply of carpet and underlay materials to support Kainga Ora Homes and Communities’ maintenance and construction work, the tender document states the government agency “are not looking to procure wool carpet”.
However, the exclusion appears in conflict with a government directive in November last year to “prefer the use of woollen fibres over synthetic ones” in its buildings, where practical.
Greg Smith, CEO of wool carpet manufacturer Bremworth, says Kainga Ora is New Zealand’s largest landlord, owning or managing over 75,000 homes and a contract to supply this many homes would equate to over a million lineal metres of carpet and
would be ‘transformative’ to the wool sector.
“In July 2023 Kainga Ora stated that it was pursuing a more sustainable path for its housing. That meant looking at the fibre being used in their homes after over 600,000 meters of synthetic carpet had been laid over the previous six years.
“This volume of synthetic carpet requires importing around 1.7 million kilos of plastic for its production.
“Ironically many of the Kainga Ora homes would date from a time when wool was the only option for carpet in New Zealand. To suggest that for some reason decades later wool is no longer a viable option for the same purpose makes no sense.
“Ultimately this means Kainga
Given we have a large surplus of a high-performing alternative in locally grown strong wool, this decision seems to lack macroeconomic insight and an awareness of the plight of our rural sector and the communities they support in recent years.
LOADER WAGONS
“There is no question that we would have gone to extraordinary lengths to secure this contract; it would have represented a key turning point for the wool sector in New Zealand.
“If there is some inherent bias against wool that persists within government departments, it is important for the industry to have the opportunity to correct any lingering misconceptions.
“For the wool sector to be completely left out of the conversation will be souldestroying for many farmers.
“We believe the government and its department heads should be the wool sector’s first customer and most vocal champion.
“The removal of wool carpet from the Kainga Ora contract is a lost opportunity to send a message of support for the sector and to set a precedent for residential developers,” he says.
Greg says as a manufacturer, they are aware of the need to secure key contracts of this nature in order to elicit widespread change. He says it appears that Kainga Ora has
concluded that warmer, dryer and healthier homes mean laying petrochemical-based carpets instead of NZ wool.
“Wool carpet is uniquely suited to help provide healthier and safer homes for some of our most vulnerable.
“In contrast with synthetic textiles used in construction, wool is a natural product that requires less chemicals and is naturally fire retardant. Woollen carpets are also naturally stain resistant, hypoallergenic and regulate humidity by absorbing moisture when the air is moist and releasing it when the air is dry - ensuring a drier home.
“Wool is an effective thermal and acoustic insulator and is naturally well adapted to helping to keep homes and office spaces warm and quiet.
“As a nation, we import around $5.6bn worth of building materials annually of which carpet and flooring are part of a $333m subcategory and insulation products make up a further $73m.
“The use of New Zealandmanufactured wool products would help reduce this volume of imports and support regional economic development,” he says.
Greg says they have appreciated the support NZ First Minister Mark Patterson has provided since his appointment and will continue to work closely with the minister to promote wool and look forward to the coalition's promise coming to fruition.
Ora has chosen to specify a carpet that is made with imported fibre that is essentially plastic.
GREG SMITH, CEO OF WOOL CARPET MANUFACTURER BREMWORTH.
TACKLING SLUGS MADE EASIER. THE FEEDBACK IS IN. AND IT’S ALL GOOD!
Ash Pace, UPL NZ Ltd. Regional Manager, Central South Island, says Ironmax Pro slug bait has been getting consistently positive reviews from contractors and their clients.
“Contractors say that, even in challenging (usually wet) conditions, Ironmax Pro slug bait has been delivering for them. That provides a better outcome for their clients and avoids the reputational damage of a re-drill.”
He says Ironmax Pro packs in all the benefits of market leader Metarex® Inov but is gentler on the earth, and on contractors. (Both products are manufactured by global molluscicide experts De Sangosse.)
“Contractors have been saying that they appreciate having a less toxic option that still gives effective slug control.
“Ironmax Pro is healthier for drivers, and everyone and everything on the farms from earthworms all the way to the family labrador.”
Ash says it’s a noticeable trend that farmers and producers are looking for ‘greener’ options. “It’s definitely not fringe any more. So that’s value-added for contractors if they can supply that option. One told me recently that a lot of his clients are not keen to use too many harsh chemicals. And no one wants there to be any impact on our waterways.”
While cultivation was never a silver bullet for slug risk, the threat of serious seedling damage has been elevated by the move towards direct drilling and strip tilling.
Ash says slugs’ ability to reproduce still sometimes catches people unawares. (The
destructive pests can produce 300 eggs in their 13-month lifespan.) That’s why monitoring is so important when planning a programme. Ash advises putting down a slug mat or a damp hessian sack. “Leave it there overnight and check it next morning. Even one slug may mean there’s a problem.
“You can’t turn your back on them, or a crop can be gone. A seedling is just a bite or two to a slug.”
Ash says though it’s eco-friendly, right down to its packaging, Ironmax Pro is backed by hard science, trials, and data.
Ironmax Pro uses Colzactive® technology developed from specially selected oil seed rape molecules. Twenty plant species were initially evaluated by scientists. Finally, it came down to two molecules. These facilitate rapid detection by slugs and enhance Ironmax Pro’s taste and how quickly it works compared to other baits. Research showed slugs actively prefer feeding on Ironmax Pro to feeding on seedlings.
Ironmax Pro contains the optimized active ingredient 24.2 g/kg ferric phosphate anhydrous, referred to as IPMax. Iron (ferric) phosphate is a natural component of soil. In Ironmax Pro, it works as a stomach poison on slugs and is fatal once ingested.
“All slugs and snails, of all sizes, can and will feed on it.”
Ironmax Pro has high field integrity (rainfastness) thanks to unique wet process manufacturing. “Ironmax Pro won’t disintegrate in the first shower, or when a paddock is irrigated, and that’s important since slugs really thrive in those damp conditions, and you don’t want to waste product.”
Ironmax Pro has a recommended application rate range of 5 to 7 kg/ha. With 60,000 baits per kilogram the uniform pellet size and innovative Ironmax Pro manufacturing process mean bait can be spread at widths of up to 24 m.
For more information contact your technical advisor or Ash Pace, UPL NZ Regional Manager Central South Island at 021 987 735.
GRASS DAMAGE CAUSED BY SLUGS.
FARMCHIEF MACHINERY TAKES OVER EINBÖCK DISTRIBUTION IN NEW ZEALAND
FARMCHIEF MACHINERY IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT IS NOW THE SOLE DISTRIBUTOR OF EINBÖCK AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT IN NEW ZEALAND.
This new partnership strengthens the company’s commitment to delivering industry-leading machinery to New Zealand farmers to boost productivity and sustainable practices. “We see great potential, particularly in the area of reseeding and weed control, to offer New Zealand farmers an economical and sustainable solution for grassland and crop care,” says Grant Murray, CEO of FarmChief Machinery.
The collaboration comes at a significant moment for Einböck, as the company celebrates 45 years of hoeing technology and 40 years of weeding technology. These milestones reflect decades of innovation and dedication to supporting agriculture with advanced mechanical weed control technology. The success of the Chopstar line, which began with the first row-crop cultivator in 1979, highlights Einböck's reputation for precision, reliability and practicality. Continuous advancements, including specialised options, tools for various row spacing and crops, camera steering systems, and section-control, have positioned Einböck as a global leader in row-crop cultivation. Similarly, Einböck’s introduction of the first tined weeder five years later marked the beginning of its Aerostar arable weeder series and grassland weeder range. The Grass-Manager and PneumaticStar have since become integral to their portfolio, which now boasts nine types of tined weeders and over 70 models. "My first product as a young apprentice was also our first tined weeder. I fell in love with our weeding technology the very first time I
used the machine in the field – and that love continues to this day,” says Leopold Einböck, the company’s senior partner.
With the professional Einböck grassland weeder and the pneumatic seeding box P-BOX-STI, FarmChief and Einböck offer farmers a comprehensive solution for reseeding and new seeding of pasture. The tined seeder effectively removes weeds and dead grass, thus promoting the tillering and vitality of the sward. Combined with versatile seeding options and precise quantity dosing using the speed-tronic terminal, this system ensures optimal germination conditions and a dense, resistant, high-yield and proteinrich pasture.
Precision, accuracy and durability define Einböck's agricultural solutions from Austria. As a family-owned business managed by the fourth generation, Einböck remains committed to its motto of combining tradition and innovation to address modern agriculture's challenges. "Looking to the future, we will remain true to our mission
PRECISION, ACCURACY AND DURABILITY DEFINE EINBÖCK'S AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS FROM AUSTRIA.
to provide the right technology for every generation. Our success in the past is our incentive to continue the success story, adapt our products to the market, and support farmers worldwide as a reliable partner,” adds Leopold.
FarmChief shares this vision, enhancing New Zealand's agricultural productivity through dependable machinery and unmatched local service. "We are pleased that with Einböck on board, we are offering world-class machines and gaining a partner with over 45 years of expertise. We will also be passing on handbooks on organic farming, grassland care and FusionFarming, which are well known in Europe, to our customers across New Zealand, free of charge,” said Grant.
With nearly 50 years of experience supporting New Zealand agriculture, FarmChief Machinery is recognised for its dedication to dependable, productive machinery.
The addition of Einböck’s specialised equipment aligns perfectly with FarmChief’s mission to help farmers achieve both productivity gains and sustainability.
EINBÖCK GRASSLAND SEEDER PNEUMATICSTAR-STI WITH INTEGRATED STIRRING-SHAFT ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT EACH SOWING TUBE HAS ITS OWN SEEDING WHEEL SECTION TO ACHIEVE PERFECT DOSING AND UNIFORM OUTPUT.
REGIONAL FORUMS THIS YEAR FOR RURAL CONTRACTORS
A SUCCESSFUL 2024 CONFERENCE FOR RURAL CONTRACTORS NZ IS TO BE FOLLOWED BY REGIONAL FORUMS THIS YEAR.
CEO Andrew Olsen says the rural forums were first tried amidst Covid disruptions in 2022 and proved a good way of widening the organisation with its 600+ members.
“We had a bumper conference in Masterton last year and a cracker the year prior in Invercargill but the truth is it’s quite an expense for members to attend – and only about a third of our members are able to attend.”
Andrew says after the Masterton conference the RCNZ Board approved moving to having conferences every second year, alternating with regional forums.
Dates and venues are yet to be finalised but they will be held in Waikato, Palmerston North, Christchurch vicinity and Southland in the last two weeks of June; that’s one for each of RCNZ’s four zones. “We will be looking at a programme that allows both of our major membership categories – cultivation and spraying – to each separately benefit from workshops as well as some time where
common issues can be discussed.”
The format is still to be fixed but Andrew says it will likely be a one-day event with drinks to finish.
“Both the formal and informal elements are
ATTENDING THE 2022 RCNZ ROADSHOW IN PALMERSTON NORTH WERE, FROM LEFT, BRENDAN CARROLL, ADRIAN BENNIE AND MIKE WINDER.
STEPS IN RIGHT DIRECTION ON IMMIGRATION, MORE NEEDED
THE GOVERNMENT HAS MOVED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH ITS CHANGES TO THE ACCREDITED EMPLOYMENT WORK VISA (AEWV) SAYS RURAL CONTRACTORS NZ BUT MORE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED AND SOON.
CEO Andrew Olsen says the Review Team’s announcements just before Christmas reflected some of his members’ concerns about changes made last year to AEWV.
“We are giving it a pass mark with the expectation of more tailored solutions for our members involving fixed term seasonal workers being delivered long before the 2025/26 season gets underway in spring.”
“The work needs to be sped up so we can get repeat visit fixed term workers into the country without having to renew the visa annually. It’s a significant annual cost and process for mostly small to medium sized business owners.”
The key changes announced in December included:
• Introducing two new pathways for experienced seasonal workers to be introduced in late 2025, with further engagement undertaken on the detailed design in the interim.
• The experience requirement for migrants will from March reduce from three years to two to ensure migrants are sufficiently skilled.
• The median wage requirement for the AEWV goes from March; employers will still be expected to pay migrants a comparable rate to their New Zealand counterparts (i.e. the market rate).
• Those currently here on two year AEWVs will still be able to apply for another AEWV for a further year.
• Reduced requirements on Job Checks. Andrew says he is also challenging job advertising requirements on Trade Me and Seek.
“Facebook is the global platform that overseas workers go to. The data we’ve seen indicates conversion of Kiwis from the WINZ
engagement is negligible.”
In its submission on the AEWV review, RCNZ said it wanted Facebook job advertising accepted as the means to test Kiwi availability for roles, given it was where most of both them and overseas workers were likely to connect to jobs.
“The requirements to use Seek and Trade Me were a waste of time and money.”
RCNZ also called for the retention of the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) which Immigration Minister Erica Stanford made available to rural contractors after last year’s AEWV changes. Some used it to bring in the short-term, specialised staff they needed, mainly to drive big machinery.
“As an interim measure, the SPWV may have been closer to the mark for a seasonal work visa than the AEWV,” says Andrew. ”We suggested retaining it as an additional option and that’s been confirmed.”
Immigration New Zealand will now undertake an operational re-design of key pain points in the AEWV to allow for greater streamlining to occur for lower risk employers and applications. Andrew says that will include rural contractors.
“Our members only recruit highly-skilled people for short periods to drive big machinery. There are simply not many, if any Kiwis, who have the skills and who are interested in a few months of work.”
The AEWV Review Team says its streamlining should see fully improved processing times across the AEWV by the second half of 2025 but processing times will continue to improve in the interim.
Andrew says he will be pushing for early resolution of the residual issues with the AEWV visas which have plagued rural contractors for several seasons.
Last year, indicated reforms to the key visa instead saw more complications added.
“We didn’t make a big public fuss when the AEWV had new requirements added,” says Andrew. “Instead, we used our political capital with the new government to start seeking the changes that are needed.”
He says RCNZ is a very small organisation – he is the only full-time staff member and it has been providing well beyond an
immigration advisory role.
“Significant time and effort has been ploughed into visa applicants by RCNZ largely as a result of the lengthy delays in Immigration approval times, inconsistent assessments by case officers and support for escalations in a clogged system.”
That level of support cannot be sustained. Andrew says if the promised reforms don’t deliver for this coming season, he’s advised his Board to consider outsourcing an immigration advisory service to help members with delays and disputes.
He says the hope is the remaining issues with AEWV can be resolved well before the spring start to the season.
“I’m putting this back on the government. Rural contractors shouldn’t have to contemplate getting external advice to secure short-term skilled workers. These people are available and want to come and this just has to be sorted. That said, a good start has been made,” says Andrew.
important. Our members can gain a lot by engaging with some of our partners or other agencies; it's then really helpful to be able to swap notes and catch up over a beer.
“The intention is keep our conference fresh and more of a set piece while the forums will
deliver key messages and partner value to more members in between times.”
The 2022 roadshows saw 320 registrations and Andrew is hoping that can be built on.
Brendan Carroll, Adrian Bennie and Mike Winder were at the 2022 Zone 2 RCNZ forum
in Palmerston North. “We know we are in tougher times so we will be working to make it as accessible as possible for our members.”
Details of fixed dates and venues for the four RCNZ regional forums will be announced by autumn
ANDREW OLSEN, CEO RURAL CONTRACTORS NEW ZEALAND.
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KUHN BALER AUTOMATION WINS EIMA TECHNICAL INNOVATION AWARD 2024
KUHN NEW ZEALAND IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT KUHN BALER AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY HAS WON THE EIMA TECHNICAL INNOVATION AWARD 2024.
The Task Controller Section Control baling system makes the VB 7100 Series round balers, the first section controlled balers in the world with a GPS automated pick-up.
With Baler Automation, Kuhn takes another step towards autonomous baling, boosting profitability for customers and bale quality and operator convenience. It includes Tractor Implement Management (TIM), Task Controller (TC-BAS, TC-GEO and TC-SC) and Auxiliary Control (AUX-N) functionalities. Additionally, VB 7100 Series models are the first Kuhn balers equipped with a brand-new user interface.
Task Controller Section Control
VB 7100 Series balers are the first section controlled balers in the world with a GPS automated pick-up. The pick-up is only down when there is crop left for baling. This improves operators
LET’S TALK PROMO
comfort and reduces machine wear, especially when turning onto the headland.
Tractor Implement Management
Tractor Implement
Management (TIM) ensures operators can constantly get the most out of their tractor and baler. With TIM, the VB 7100 baler controls the tractor and the entire baling cycle is automated:
• Automatic tractor stop when the bale chamber is full and during binding
• Automatic bale ejection
• Automatic tractor stop in the event of a blockage and full auto deblock of the baler
• Automatic knife cleaning.
Task
Controller
(basic and geo-based)
All related task information is recorded and documented, including information on the number of bales, customer and field information, yield, and bale weight. Then the data can be transferred to Kuhn EasyTransfer or a Farm Management Information System through agrirouter.
With Task Controller (basic and geo-based), the operator can concentrate fully on producing bales while an accurate report for business management
is created automatically.
Auxiliary Control
Auxiliary Control offers optimal ergonomics and comfort during high-speed baling. The baler can be controlled directly with the CCI A3 joystick, which displays all functions, or the AUX-N joystick from the tractor. Various softKey functions can be controlled via the joystick: pick-up operation, tailgate, dropfloor and knives.
All-new user interface
Along with the introduction of Baling Automation, Kuhn comes with a next generation
BLUE PRINT
user interface for its balers. The modern designed interface ensures easy and pleasant operation.
All information from the baling process is directly visible in the new working screen thanks to Process View. In addition, several work counters can be managed by adding a name and a date for customer or field management.
For more information about Kuhn Baler Automation please visit www.kuhn.com or contact your local Kuhn representative to factory forward order this technology.
TECHNOLOGY THE DRIVING FORCE FOR ONE FARMING FAMILY
LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO CONTROLLING MULTIPLE MACHINERY APPLICATIONS, ACCORDING TO AUSTRALIAN FARMER, PETER BLACK. WHILE MANY TRACTORS FEATURE SEVERAL DISPLAYS, PETER USES ONE THAT INTEGRATES STEERING, PLANTING, FERTILISER APPLICATIONS AND YIELD MONITORING ACROSS HIS MACHINERY FLEET.
Together with his wife, Michelle, and son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Danica, Peter farms 1500 hectares of arable land near Toowoomba, Queensland. Peter is a third-generation farmer, and the family were early adopters of zero-till cropping in the 1990s. They began controlled traffic farming in the early 2000s.
“We started off with AutoFarm guidance systems in 2003 and then Ag Leader after they purchased AutoFarm in 2009,” Peter says. “AutoFarm was way better than anything else at the time, and Ag Leader has kept improving it.”
The family’s machinery fleet includes John Deere tractors, a Case IH Patriot 4430 selfpropelled sprayer, and a Case IH Axial Flow 7240 combine harvester. All are equipped with Ag Leader’s SteerCommand and InCommand display for autosteering and yield monitoring.
“We buy the best of what we need, and we like Ag Leader,” says Peter. “It frustrates me to see farmers struggle with outdated technology that doesn’t work well or integrate with other displays.”
The Ag Leader InCommand 1200 display is a 30 cm high-visibility touchscreen. It is central to their system, and controls a range of steering, application and monitoring functions.
“It’s extremely user-friendly and doesn’t slow down as you add more functions,” Peter says.
The Blacks also use SeedCommand and DirectCommand functions within the display to control planting and fertiliser application through their 16-row Norseman planter, Orthman strip-tillage toolbar, Boss disc planter, and Simplicity airseeder.
“We adopted strip-tillage in 2012 and haven’t looked back,” Peter says. “It is a middle ground between zero-till and cultivation. It gives us an ideal seedbed, better fertiliser placement, and improved water infiltration while only disturbing a third of the soil.”
Their Norseman planter is fitted with Ag
Leader’s SureForce hydraulic downforce and SureDrive electric drive systems.
“SureForce automatically adjusts the downforce to maintain planting depth across varying soils,” Peter says. “It minimises sidewall compaction, which, if left unchecked, can turn furrows into bricks that hinder root development and yield.”
SureDrive adjusts the planter’s meter speed to maintain a consistent planting rate, while the autoswath function prevents overlap in non-square paddocks.
“We end up with a nice, even crop,” Peter adds. “It’s so reliable and easy to use.”
Peter also runs Ag Leader’s AgFiniti cloudbased platform and SMS data analysis systems. AgFiniti automatically syncs and shares maps, machine data, and satellite imagery with connected devices, while SMS combines this data to generate precision ag prescriptions.
“When you turn the header off, all the data uploads to the Cloud,” Peter says. “I can
download it from the office and transfer it to SMS. It is just so easy.
“SMS also handles record-keeping. All my planting, spraying, and harvest records are automatically sent to the office. I don’t have to write anything down.”
Looking forward, Peter plans to adopt field prescriptions. He says that he has the technology for variable rate application, now he just needs someone with the time and skill to interpret the yield data.
Ag Leader is a global precision agriculture technology leader. It develops systems that simplify farming with guidance, steering, application control, and decision support solutions.
Headquartered in Iowa, USA, the familyowned company employs around 400 people around the world.
PETER BLACK AT WORK INSIDE HIS SPRAYER CAB.
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AMASELECT CORNERS THE MARKET WITH CURVE CONTROL
IN 2023 AMAZONE RELEASED AMASELECT, AN ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY SELECTS THE BEST NOZZLE ACCORDING TO OPERATING CONDITIONS.
The system featured four individually-controlled nozzles in carriers that are positioned at 50 cm intervals, which, depending on the field size, working width and the number of part-width sections used, allowed the operator to enter optimum pressure ranges for each nozzle type, fitted on the carriers, into the Isobus operator terminal.
“With a low maintenance cost, and large rate application from the tractor seat AmaSelect makes it easy for the operator,” says Murray Tuck, Amazone product manager. The system automatically selects and activates the best nozzle according to the desired application rate and forward speed. Once the nozzle is operating outside of the optimum pressure range, it automatically switches over to a smaller or bigger nozzle or adds a second nozzle to the spray circuit, reducing crop protection costs.
CurveControl: An optimised application when driving round bends in order to keep the application rate as constant as possible across the whole of the boom width.
Amazone has introduced the new CurveControl feature available for the AmaSelect nozzle control on UX trailed sprayers and the Pantera selfpropelled sprayer.
"The new CurveControl feature will facilitate the best possible automatic optimisation while driving around curves,” says Murray.
“In the past, application of plant protection products when driving round bends has led to an over-application on the inside of the bend and an under-
application on the outside of the bend. The problem increases with increasing boom widths,” he says.
When applying herbicides to the inside of a bend, overdosing may lead to significant weakening of the crop or even total crop failure. Under-dosing in the outside area results in incomplete suppression of the weeds and fungal diseases and might lead to resistance developing as a consequence of under-dosing.
“AmaSelect CurveControl will ensure that crop yield losses are prevented,” says Murray. Loss of yield is a possible result of under-dosing or over-dosing. AmaSelect CurveControl determines the curve radius using sensors, and thanks to the ability to automatically change the nozzles across the boom, ensures fully uniform application rates during cornering.
The application rate can be adapted independently of the part-width section control, since the system individually controls each nozzle body at a part-width section distance of 50cm.
The AmaSelect CurveControl provides the option of adapting
the amount applied by selecting one of four different nozzles or three nozzle combinations. Different nozzle options provide the system with an enormous range of application rates and thus also facilitates their bestpossible automatic optimisation while driving around curves.
An additional special advantage of the AmaSelect CurveControl is the high-speed switching of the nozzle bodies, the automatic calculation of the variable distribution of the nozzle control versions within the boom and the automatic adjustment of the pressure to the changed flow rate resulting from the change of the nozzles on the boom.
The system takes into account the application rate of each individual nozzle,
within the specified pressure range, to ensure functionality and reduction in spray drift, particularly in the marginal areas.
Provided with an appropriate set of nozzles, the variable functions of the AmaSelect CurveControl make it possible to vary the application rate across the boom to an enormous extent and independently of the partwidth section control, in order to compensate for over- dosing and under-dosing as much as possible while driving round a bend. Amazone is adding to their range by introducing a 48m boom width soon.
THE AMAZONE PANTERA 4503 SELF-PROPELLED SPRAYER
eco contractors
TAKE KIWI EXPERTISE TO THE WORLD
IF LISTENING TO THE NEWS IS DRIVING YOU TO DESPAIR, REMEMBER HOW MANY INTERESTING PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE DOING FASCINATING AND POSITIVE THINGS.
Here in New Zealand, the Predator Free 2050 initiative has opened up opportunities that are giving a boost to some innovative Kiwi companies. One of them is Kaitiaki o te Ngahere.
Bradley Myer is the Nelson branch manager of Kaitiaki o te Ngahere (Guardians of the Forest). He says the mission of the company is to restore indigenous ecosystems.
“Things that interfere with the way that ecosystems function are typically invasive species and sometimes land degradation.”
Removing ‘invasives’ and then planting natives are often the most important parts of a Kaitiaki o te Ngahere job. Bradley says ecosystems are quite capable of restoring themselves if we remove whatever is stopping them.
An ecosystem is just that – a system – and it is a matter of
BRADLEY MYER THE NELSON BRANCH MANAGER OF KAITIAKI O TE NGAHERE (GUARDIANS OF THE FOREST).
creating links between its different parts.
For example, if we can create an environment that protects birds that distribute seeds of native plants, they can get on and do that job. So it may be necessary to set up trapping lines for rats and stoats and develop a plan to clear the traps.
Along with its work in Aotearoa, Kaitiaki o te Ngahere works overseas, including on such remote islands as South New Georgia and the Falklands.
Bradley says most ecosystems face similar issues and removing
NATIONAL PARKS TRUST TEAM FROM THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS WITH MIKE GIBBS (LEFT) AND BRADLEY MYER (RIGHT).
or managing invasive species is a common feature.
Clients in New Zealand tend to be local or regional councils, but Kaitiaki also work for iwi, utilities, DoC, the defence force and major land owners.
“We have worked for farmers and would like to do more.
Typically it is with QEII or third-
party funding for works on the farm.”
Kaitiaki develops programmes for farmers so they can look after bush and natural features on their land, such as wetlands or riparian margins. For those of you who have had riparian plantings inhibit drainage, Bradley feels your pain.
“We really understand the impacts of good riparian management. There is a lot of poor design. You should be trying to get some shade across the water, but at the same time allow for flooding with plants and grasses that will lie down when the flood comes through. It is not just flax and cabbage trees and job done.”
Most of the company’s work in New Zealand is done in Canterbury, across the West Coast, up to the top of the South Island and around Wellington. They will work anywhere, however.
Bradley says Kaitiaki is good at estimating the cost for on-going care.
“It goes on over long periods of time and the need for management never goes away because there is still reinvasion
from outside sources. Costs decline over time, however. If we get a patch of bush under control, the inputs needed decline, so it is not a money sink.”
Carbon credits may help finance the cost of restoring native bush or wetlands in the future.
“Biodiversity standards and credits are being developed that may influence things in the future. It is all talking about managing natural resources
more effectively.”
The main point for any landowner considering restoration work is that it is worth a conversation with experts.
Kaitiaki o te Ngahere can be involved at any level – from helping clarify your goals, to site surveys, plan designs and timeframes and then right down to getting rid of weeds and then monitoring once the ecosystem is flowing again. They also train farm or council staff or volunteers
and write biosecurity plans.
Kaitiaki o te Ngahere has 35 staff across its branches in Wellington and Nelson. Many of them have tertiary qualifications in ecology or environmental science, but they get much of their training in the forests.
“I like diversity in teams. We need smart people. We need people who can handle working outside in all conditions.
Planting trees all winter long is hard work.”
KAITIAKI DEVELOPS PROGRAMMES FOR FARMERS SO THEY CAN LOOK AFTER BUSH
NATURAL FEATURES ON THEIR LAND, SUCH AS WETLANDS OR RIPARIAN MARGINS.
In the beginning
The company’s story began in the 1990s with a group of friends from Lincoln University. Bradley was studying business, while lots of his friends in ecology-related fields ended up working for the Department of Conservation.
Eventually the boys got together to start their own business.
“They were humble beginnings, just a few of us enjoying our time working in the bush. We developed a lot of knowledge and skill by spending long periods of time in the forest,” Bradley says.
Back then their main focus was on ecological restoration, building tracks and building structures such as bridges.
The business went through iterations. In 2006 they were based in Nelson. The name Kaitiaki o te Ngahere (Guardians of the Forest) was gifted to them by Ngati Kuia, the iwi based around Te Hoiere (Pelorus Sound). In 2010 they set up their Wellington branch.
In the early days Bradley and a friend Tim Le Gros were mentored by Martin and Jo Conway, who pioneered propagating native plants for
BRADLEY MYER HAS A VARIED OFFICE BACKDROP, THE HIGH COUNTRY IS ONE EXAMPLE.
revegetation projects. Martin and Jo established Titoki Nursery in Brightwater. Tim took over the nursery in 2004.
Bradley gets his plants from Titoki. “Our focus is on ecosourced plants and propagation. They are always high-quality plants.”
Bradley and Tim worked together on a planting project on a 1km re-engineered stormwater drain in Tasman. It is an example of the truism ‘the right plant in the right place at the right time’.
“We had to be careful of the species so it wouldn’t inhibit the flow in flood but would slow things down. Ten years on it looks amazing and we’re really proud of it.”
Indigena Biosecurity
Bradley says the Predator Free 2050 initiative may seem aspirational to the point of being unrealistic, but it has created a lot of conversation overseas and brought attention to what New Zealanders are doing.
“People are blown away by the boldness and by a country prepared to adopt it even if there is no means to deliver it now. It has created a massive wave of interest in what is happening in New Zealand.”
This reputation for visionary conservation work, especially with the early successes clearing islands of every pest, means that when Bradley first started working off-shore, people were primed to think well of New Zealand.
Kaitiaki began working overseas work in 2015, when Bradley worked on a project in South Georgia (a territory of the UK in the South Atlantic). It was funded by the Darwin Initiative,
BRADLEY SAYS THE PREDATOR FREE 2050 INITIATIVE MAY SEEM ASPIRATIONAL TO THE POINT OF BEING UNREALISTIC, BUT IT HAS CREATED A LOT OF CONVERSATION OVERSEAS AND BROUGHT ATTENTION TO WHAT NEW ZEALANDERS ARE DOING.
a UK government grants scheme that helps conserve biodiversity while working with local people.
This led to Bradley to form partnerships and set up Indigena Biosecurity International, which is a subsidiary of Kaitiaki o te Ngahere. Indigena works with local people and builds up their skills and their capacity to deal with invasive plants.
“It is not sustainable for us to send teams to far away countries. It is an opportunity to share knowledge, and then we continue to support them.”
For example, Bradley has had Zoom meetings with the Environment Department at Tristan da Cunha on how to record data in the field and how to use a chainsaw. (Tristan da Cunha is officially the most remote inhabited island in the world.)
“It is like the stuff we do here with GrowSafe but adapted for small island nations.”
Work continues on South Georgia. It is not habited now, but during the early 1900s it was a whaling hub and supported 2000 people. They left behind many introduced animals and plants. Part of the project is to restore the ecosystem included eradicating reindeer (yes reindeer) and mice. Once they were gone the introduced plants had an easy life.
This was when Indigena came on board. It is too far south to have trees and most introduced plants are agricultural species. There are 35 species on the eradication list to give local flora a chance.
“There are hundreds of lowerorder plants such as fungi and lichen, which haven’t been scientifically recorded yet. The wildlife is unbelievable. The removal of rodents was massive for birdlife. There are millions of King Penguins on the beach.
“It is very satisfying work. We are taking ideas to these places that we have learned from years working in forests in New Zealand.”
Other projects in the British Virgin Islands and the Falkland Islands are project-managed by the UK’s Royal Society for Protection of Birds.
Indigena now has a branch in the Falklands where they work with polar explorer Sally Poncet. “Sally is an amazing person – a
“IT IS VERY SATISFYING WORK. WE ARE TAKING IDEAS TO THESE PLACES THAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM YEARS WORKING IN FORESTS IN NEW ZEALAND.”
legend – who sails around the world and has done for years. It is extremely flattering that she wants to be part of our organisation.”
These contracts create amazing opportunities for New Zealand staff to work in remote places restoring ecosystems and both training and learning from locals.
Bradley says there is unlimited growth potential offshore, and they need skilled staff they can parachute into situations overseas.
For example, a Nelson-based team leader, Finbar Grealish, is about to go to the Falklands then South Georgia for six months, followed by a holiday in South America on the way home.
“These are amazing opportunities. It is not just the chance to visit, but to do something meaningful.
“Finding and keeping staff is easy for us. It is hard work but people do it because they want
kaitiaki o te ngahere driven by values
Bradley Myer says from the start, he and his partners formed Kaitiaki o te Ngahere with three important principles in in mind. They are:
• Manaakitanga or showing respect and care for others. It encompasses hospitality, kindness, generosity, and support .
• Rangatiratanga or leadership. Each person is a thread in the whole fabric of a community and each lends their uniqueness, expertise and effort. The task of the leader is to weave the group together into a unified whole.
• Tohungatanga or expertise. Kaitiaki o te Ngahere is a global leader in indigenous restoration and experts in what they do. Their culture is one of excellence and they focus on finding solutions. They are at the cutting edge of technology and innovation within the industry.
to. It is a lifestyle choice. They recognise that they are doing something worthwhile and valuable.”
Bradley gets people determinedly banging on his door wanting work. “Quite often they have looked at our values and
RUBIN 10 SHORT DISC HARROW
realise they align with theirs.”
How exactly a job works, in Aotearoa or overseas, depends on the initial discussions with the client. These focus on what they are trying to achieve and their priorities.
An important tool is the
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geographic information system (GIS), a computerised way to manage, analyse, and view geographic data. When they portray the work on maps using GPS the scope of the work is always clear to Kaitiaki or Indigena and their clients.
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FOR RAYMOND HICKS, CONTRACTING IS MORE THAN A BUSINESS; IT’S A LIFETIME PURSUIT INTRICATELY TIED TO FAMILY, LOCAL FARMING TRADITIONS, AND THE CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE.
contracting -
NOT JUST A BUSINESS...
His company Raymond Hicks Contracting stands as a cornerstone of agricultural service in the Wairarapa region, where generations of land-based knowledge and commitment converge in a family legacy.
Reflecting on his family’s enduring involvement in farming, Raymond remarks, “The old man was dairy farming, probably close on 60 years,” revealing a legacy that spans decades and shapes his strong work ethic.
Raymond’s journey into contracting was gradual yet decisive. Balancing the daily demands of dairy farming and contracting at once, he eventually decided to lease out his 160-hectare dairy farm to dedicate himself entirely to contracting. “Way easier to lease it out than to farm it and do contracting at the same time,”
RAYMOND’S TEAM UNDERSTANDS THAT EACH JOB IS UNIQUE, AND THEY TAKE PRIDE IN DELIVERING TAILORED SOLUTIONS THAT MEET THEIR CLIENTS’ SPECIFIC NEEDS.
Raymond reflects, recognising the importance of giving his full attention to the business he has built. This shift allowed him to not only expand his service offerings but also adapt to meet the diverse needs of the Wairarapa community - a region whose agricultural requirements have become more complex over time. Today, his company offers a comprehensive suite of services that extends from large-scale silage production to custom fencing projects and, increasingly, lifestyle block services. As lifestyle blocks continue to rise in popularity,
RAYMOND HICKS CONTRACTING OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF SERVICES THAT EXTENDS FROM LARGE-SCALE SILAGE PRODUCTION TO CUSTOM FENCING PROJECTS AND, INCREASINGLY, LIFESTYLE BLOCK SERVICES.
so does the demand for minibales, a specialised service that Raymond provides for smaller landowners and horse enthusiasts. “We do about 5,000 mini-bales for ourselves, then we do between 12,000
and 15,000 for clients,” he says, underscoring how this niche offering has carved out a key market for his business. By catering to both traditional farms and newer lifestyle blocks, Raymond has found a way to meet the diverse needs of a growing community.
Mini-bales exemplify Raymond’s ability to adapt to shifting trends, a critical quality in a business that depends on flexibility and responsiveness to customer needs. His team produces thousands of minibales annually, making it possible for lifestyle block owners to access manageable, tractor-free feed solutions. This shift in demand mirrors the broader trend in New Zealand agriculture, where hobby farmers and small-scale landowners now play a growing role in rural communities.
“People don’t want the big bales they can’t move on their own,” Raymond explains. "Minibales are just the right fit, and we’re happy to deliver to both farms and hobby properties.” This willingness to tailor services to each client is part of what has made Raymond Hicks Contracting a respected name in the region.
The mini-bale production process is no small feat, requiring meticulous planning and execution. Raymond describes the operation: “We start with high-quality grass, cut it at the right time, and ensure we store it properly to
RAYMOND IS ACTIVELY EXPLORING WAYS TO EXPAND INTO THE GRAVEL AND AGGREGATE INDUSTRY.
maintain its nutritional value.”
The importance of timing in agriculture cannot be overstated, and Raymond’s experience allows him to make critical decisions that benefit his clients.
“You have to know when to cut and when to bale. Timing is everything,” he insists, showcasing the deep agricultural knowledge that underpins his operations.
Beyond mini-bales, Raymond’s team provides essential services that support the productivity and resilience of local farms. Silage and baleage production remain core components of the business, with operations running continuously during peak season to keep up with demand.
“Probably grass work, like silage, mini-bales, round baleage and stuff like that,” Raymond says, emphasising the hands-on
work that keeps his team busy. Silage and baleage are critical in sustaining livestock through the Wairarapa’s at times challenging weather patterns and long dry summers, providing local farmers with the assurance of reliable feed.
In the heart of Wairarapa, where unpredictable weather patterns can dictate agricultural success, Raymond's silage production stands as a lifeline for many farmers. He recounts a particularly challenging season when weather conditions made for difficult harvesting.
“There were a few weeks where we had to be on high alert,” he recalls. “One day it was sunny, and the next it was pouring rain. We had to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.” This agility is a hallmark of Raymond's approach, as he and his team strive to meet the demands of
their clients, often working late into the night to ensure that silage is produced and stored correctly before the next weather system hits.
Raymond’s commitment to excellence is particularly evident in the fencing projects his team undertakes. Fencing, plays a fundamental role in maintaining the functionality of farming businesses. Raymond’s team includes a dedicated fencer who takes on jobs ranging from cattle yards to custom postand-rail fencing for equestrian properties, dairy fencing and traditional sheep and beef fences.
With jobs booked several months in advance, Raymond explains, “Sometimes he’s two or three months out for the next job.” This steady demand speaks to the expertise his team brings to each project, whether it’s
building robust cattle yards or a carefully executed large scale traditional multi-wire fence that gets put through it’s paces year on year. Raymond’s team understands that each job is unique, and they take pride in delivering tailored solutions that meet their clients’ specific needs.
Technology and equipment are another focal point in Raymond’s contracting business, with a fleet that includes both New Holland and Fendt tractors. The addition of Fendt tractors reflects his commitment to
AS THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE CONTINUES TO CHANGE, RAYMOND'S ABILITY TO ADAPT AND IDENTIFY EMERGING NEEDS HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING HIS COMPANY’S LONG TERM SUCCESS.
quality and reliability, with the new fleet meeting both operational demands and worker comfort. “These days, staff want to sit on a tractor with a cab… air conditioning, or a radio,”
Raymond notes, recognising that today’s employees expect more in terms of comfort than in earlier years. “Back then, you just had to sit out in the sun and the dust,” he adds with a smile, contrasting the conditions of his early career with the more modern approach he’s adopted.
While Raymond values the efficiency technology can bring, he’s also aware of the challenges that come with it. Tractors and machinery now come with complex GPS and computer systems, and breakdowns can require specialised technicians. To address this, Raymond relies on his trusted mobile mechanic who understands the intricacies of today’s technical equipment.
“Can’t do it all yourself anymore,” he admits, noting the importance of having the right support network in place. This network, built over years of experience, reflects Raymond’s approach to building lasting partnerships within the Wairarapa community.
Yet, as much as technology has advanced the contracting industry, it hasn’t removed the long hours and physical demands. Contracting remains a field that requires resilience and determination, especially during peak season. Raymond reflects on the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff in an industry that often demands more than what younger generations are prepared to give.
“It’s a single person’s game, really,” he says, recognising the unique commitment needed to succeed in contracting. Long hours, combined with the physical nature of the work, can be a deterrent for those seeking a conventional work-life balance. Yet, for those who are dedicated, the rewards lie in the satisfaction of supporting a community and working directly with the land.
In recent years, Raymond has observed a shift in the demographics of workers entering the agricultural contracting field. “You see more young people looking for shortterm jobs,” he notes. This change presents challenges for an industry that traditionally relies on long-term relationships and continuity.
“It’s hard to build a team when people are coming and going all the time,” he adds. Nonetheless, Raymond remains optimistic.
“There are still those who see the value in this work. We just have to find them and nurture their skills,” he insists, demonstrating his commitment to training the next generation of contractors.
Looking ahead, Raymond is actively exploring ways to expand into the gravel and aggregate industry. This venture is driven by both personal interest and an identified need within the local construction
RAYMOND SAYS CONTRACTING IS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE LAND, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH THIS WORK.
sector, where gravel has become essential to support housing developments. The aggregate industry offers stability in a way that silage and contracting alone might not, and Raymond sees it as a valuable addition to his service offerings. “Pretty keen to explore the aggregate side of things,” he says, noting that gravel could provide a steady stream of income, particularly during off-peak seasons.
This desire to diversify and expand aligns with broader trends in the Wairarapa region. As local councils encourage new housing developments to accommodate population growth, the demand for aggregate and other building materials is likely to rise.
Raymond sees an opportunity here, not just for his business but for the community as a whole. “If we can help facilitate that growth by providing the necessary materials, it’s a win-win for everyone,” he asserts, indicating a strong sense of community responsibility that underscores his business philosophy.
Raymond’s drive to diversify is nothing new for him. Eight years ago, he introduced mini-bale production to cater to lifestyle properties, an offering that has now become a staple of his business. As the agricultural landscape continues to change, his ability to adapt and identify emerging needs has been instrumental in securing his company’s long-term success. This proactive approach also reflects his deep understanding of the economic trends shaping the Wairarapa region, as well as the importance of positioning his business to meet both current and future demands.
Raymond’s forward-thinking mindset extends to his family, as he looks to involve his two sons in the business. With one son showing an early interest in operating machinery, Raymond recalls, “One, when he was seven, he could drive the digger.” While he hopes they will continue the family legacy, he’s mindful of the challenges they may face. The contracting business is demanding, and he wants his sons to approach it with the same level of commitment and resilience that has defined his own career.
“I want them to understand
IN THE HEART OF WAIRARAPA, WHERE UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER PATTERNS CAN DICTATE AGRICULTURAL SUCCESS, RAYMOND'S SILAGE PRODUCTION STANDS AS A LIFELINE FOR MANY FARMERS.
that it’s not just about running machinery; it’s about understanding the land, the community, and the responsibilities that come with this work,” he explains. This ethos of mentorship is evident in the way he treats his employees, fostering a culture of respect and dedication within his team.
It is a testament to the enduring values of hard work, family, and dedication. Each job - from
fencing to baleage productionreflects Raymond’s deep respect for the land and the community he serves. As the agricultural sector in New Zealand faces increasing pressures from economic changes and climate variability, contractors like Raymond play an essential role in supporting farm productivity and sustainability.
Reflecting on his journey, Raymond acknowledges that contracting isn’t just a career - it’s a way of life that requires adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to quality. His story highlights the importance of tradition balanced with innovation, as he continues to evolve his business in response to new challenges and opportunities. For Raymond, the
work remains both challenging and rewarding, a reflection of a life lived in close connection to the land and the people it sustains.
As he moves forward, Raymond hopes that his story will inspire the next generation of contractors to embrace the values that have guided him throughout his career.
Whether it’s expanding into new industries or providing critical services to his clients, Raymond Hicks Contracting is a reminder that success in contracting is built on more than just machines and equipment; it’s built on a foundation of trust, community, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
In an ever-changing agricultural landscape, Raymond’s
MINI-BALES EXEMPLIFY RAYMOND’S ABILITY TO ADAPT TO SHIFTING TRENDS, A CRITICAL QUALITY IN A BUSINESS THAT DEPENDS ON FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS TO CUSTOMER NEEDS.
ability to innovate while maintaining strong community ties exemplifies the spirit of Wairarapa. As he prepares for the future, Raymond is confident that with the right approach, his business will continue to thrive for years to come.
“It’s all about looking ahead,” he says, his determination evident in every word.
"If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind.”
MARK ZATTA GREW UP IN SUGAR CANE COUNTRY IN INGHAM, QUEENSLAND, AND, WHILE HE MAY BE A BIT OF A MOTORBIKE FIEND AT HEART, GROWING SUGAR CANE HAS BEEN THE NAME OF THE GAME FOR HIM FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS.
mark zatta: SUGAR CANE CULTURE
Around 1000 acres of his and wife Toni’s 4000-acre farm is used for growing sugar cane and sees them producing 35,000 tonnes each year.
They are among a group of about 500 farmers who supply the local Wilmar mill, one of eight mills Wilmar Sugar own in Queensland.
The largest sugar miller in the country, Wilmar produces more than half of Australia’s raw sugar. By-products from that also make it the country’s largest biomass renewable energy generator.
cut. The next round another 20 per cent is cut and so on,” Mark says.
Farmers need to know the sugar cane varieties which grow well in their general area, but also the right variety for the different soil types across their farms, and will be ready to cut at early, mid or late harvest.
don’t produce much sugar.
“My soils may be different to my neighbours even though we’re on the same 5kms of area. There could be five or six different soils,” says Mark.
Some are drought tolerant, some handle water-logging better than others. In really fertile country, where the cane will grow all year round, some varieties that are drought tolerant grow too much and
Cane is harvested for five years, which sees pathogens building up in the soil. Every five years, the soil is rested for a year to kill the pathogens, and planted up with nitrogen fixing legumes like meringa cow pea. This cover
Cane harvesting lasts from early May to November with different varieties ripening throughout that time.
across ditch the
PROFILED IN AUSTRALIA’S AG CONTRACTOR & LARGE SCALE FARMER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024, WE VISIT MARK ZATTA IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA.
“Unlike wheat harvesting where they bring big headers in and clean up farms, we have a contractor and everyone [who supplies the mill] initially has about 20 per cent of their crop
THEY MAY HAVE BACKGROUNDS IN MOTORBIKES AND CATTLE BUT MARK AND TONI HAVE THRIVED AS CANE FARMERS.
HARVEST TIME IN THE HEART OF SUGAR CANE COUNTRY.
also sets aside around eight acres each for new varieties of cane he is trialling. The farm is constantly changing as new cane varieties come and go.
crop, which also protects the soil from wind and water erosion, is then turned under, helping to revitalise the soil.
Each year, this sees around 150 acres of the farm with a break crop in place, which also needs to be included in the farm equations.
“There are a lot of logistics in the background and getting that right is the hardest part of the year,” Mark says.
Along with break crops, Mark
While there is often a reluctance by farmers to change varieties, Mark sees keeping up with new varieties as important, particularly to stay on top of pathogens and disease.
This has seen him moving into plants grown from tissue cultures in recent years, which helps reduce the spread of disease.
Rather than conventionally propagated plants, cultured plants are grown from tissue taken from the internal top part of the plant, which is disease free. These little plantlets are then grown in a lab to ensure they
stay disease free, before being planted up in trays and on-grown outside. They are effectively genetic clones of the parent plant and mean, once a new variety has been developed through cross breeding, large numbers can be produced quickly and distributed to growers.
Every year there are four or five new varieties released in the industry. The regional productivity board supplies Mark with the cultured plants and he plants them out with his vege planter at the same time the propagation board is propagating for the other 500-odd farmers in the area. From there, he uses the types of varieties that work on his farm in the next rotation, giving him a bit
of a head start on his neighbours. Mark reckons he’s probably the largest cane grower in Australia who uses tissue culture.
Despite big increases in the cost of inputs, machinery and fuel with Covid, Mark is pleased with how the business is going.
While there are the usual fluctuations, the price of sugar is reasonably high this year after a very good price last year, he reckons.
Even so, growing a commodity product means you can never dictate the price you want. Farmers are always the price takers he says, which is why cane farmers need other income streams to smooth out those price fluctuations.
With Wilmar a subsidiary of a
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FACTORING LEGUME BREAK CROPS, AND CANE VARIETIES FOR DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES WITH STAGGERED HARVESTING TIMES, CAN MAKE ANNUAL PLANNING TRICKY.
Singapore-based company, and the cane mill further north at Tully being Chinese owned, Mark admits he has concerns the rise of big outside players is seeing Australia becoming a passenger in global agriculture and sugar cane production particularly.
While the sugar cane industry is the main farm income provider, Mark and Toni also run 200 Brahman beef cattle to spread business risk, with Toni also working in an accounts office.
Unlike the big cattle farms further west which can be measured in square kilometres, the 4000-acre farm is made up of eight parcels of land bought over the years. These range in size from 70 acres up to several hundred with some parcels
DEMI AND TONI READY TO PLANT OUT YOUNG CANE PLANTS GROWN FROM CULTURED TISSUE.
separated by a farm or two.
Being able to sell off individual parcels, should the need arise in the future, is seen as a bonus by the couple especially if their two children, Mitchell and Demi, decide they don’t want to be involved with the farm long term.
Twenty-six year old Mitchell has skills as a TIG welder, and is doing well - pressure welding at power stations and gas stations, while Demi, at 20, is currently taking a break on the farm from studies as she trains towards becoming a vet.
Up until now, Mark and Toni have stuck with hardy Brahman cattle which are able to handle the tough environment in the north where, after rain, it can be 38 degrees with 90 per cent humidity for days. They can also handle pests like ticks and flies, Mark says, and are very tradeable into Indonesia with live cattle export.
Toni, who has a strong family background in beef farming in northern NSW, and who Mark reckons was “born on the back of a horse, mustering”, is currently evaluating other breed options.
This is Toni and Demi’s area of expertise and the final decision on this will be theirs.
Mark is more involved with
resurrecting the fences and yards at the moment as they bring this part of the bigger farm, which had belonged to his aunt and favourite uncle, back up to scratch after his uncle died.
His uncle had spent a lot of time with him as a youngster, and is the reason Mark, who never planned on being a cane farmer, is now fully into the industry.
Like Mitchell, he had originally made a career for himself away from farming and the land.
Thinking that being able to fix your own vehicles could be handy Mark had originally taken on a diesel mechanic apprenticeship after finishing school, before changing direction and getting involved with a youthful obsession – motorbikes.
Mark had ridden motorbikes from a young age and had also thoroughly enjoyed racing on them, although he’s the first to admit he wasn’t actually very good at it.
This saw him started working in the motorcycle industry with Honda Australia at head office – then in Melbourne, before branching back into the dealerships. His expectation was that one day he would be a service manager.
He’d met Toni after moving to
DEMI ROPED MARK IN TO GET HER TO HER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION WITH HIS NEW VALTRA.
Brisbane and they both went to a rather unlikely event - the annual Paxton pub marble competition.
Around this time Mark’s uncle had been struggling to run the farm as he dealt with Parkinson’s Disease and heart issues. Having had no children of their own they could call on to help, Mark headed to the farm to lend a hand for a while. Twenty five years later he is still there.
When his uncle died some years later, the farm was left to Mark. And it was owning this farm that helped Mark to buy his parents’ farm, when his father retired six years ago.
While he doesn’t consider himself a ‘greenie’, Mark loves animals, and is all for conservation. His phone is full of wild life photos, he reckons.
“I find animals very soothing. Years ago I used to train working dogs for mustering cattle and really got a kick out of it - getting that love and affection from a pet. I’d have animals living through my house if I could.”
One conservation success
EACH YEAR MARK AND TONI TRIAL VARIOUS CULTURED PLANT VARIETIES.
story in the north he is a little ambivalent about is the return of ‘salties’ or Esterine crocodiles.
Conservation efforts have seen big increases of them after they were nearly hunted to extinction in the 1970s, until they now number between 20,000 to 30,000 animals.
Freshwater crocodiles are fairly harmless, he says, with them being more into fishing.
Salties start by fishing and then also start moving into feral animals like pigs and wild scrub cattle. They are often found in
WHILE NOT USUALLY STICKING TO ANY ONE BRAND WITH HIS FARM EQUIPMENT, MARK’S TRACTORS ARE NOW ALL VALTRAS.
rivers hundreds of kilometres inland from the sea, including around Ingham, which is around 70km from the coast.
While not a problem on the farm, they have changed the way locals behave around rivers.
“Years ago, when we were kids, we would swim in the river at night. We’d have a light hanging out of a tree, swinging on a swing out over the water.”
Now Mark is reluctant to get out on the river at all, even in his boat.
“It is a bit scary with them
now – people are having dogs taken when they’re walking them beside the river.”
Demi also has a great love of animals and this is behind her decision to become a vet.
“She’s very compassionate toward them and gets really emotional if wild dogs or dingoes have ripped up a young calf and they have to put it down.”
With vet studies proving pretty full-on, Demi is taking a year off to have a bit of a breather, and is working on the farm.
Mark has been impressed at
AS THE BIGGEST CANE GROWER IN THE COUNTRY USING CULTURED PLANTS, MARK RECKONS KEEPING UP WITH INNOVATIONS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE INDUSTRY.
how quickly she has taken to handling the big farm machinery. This includes the new Valtra tractors, as well as the 26-tonne tractor and trailer setup they have for hauling cane, which is like a mini road train.
A few years ago Mark caused a stir by taking a very glamorous Demi to her high school graduation in the new Valtra S324, instead of taking the car. These days she could easily drive herself.
The move to Valtas for Mark came three years ago with concerns over the high cost of buying some of the other more established brands.
Mark uses all sorts of equipment and doesn’t stick to the same manufacturer.
After the transmission failed on the 30-year-old MasseyFerguson tractor he had been using for years, and replacement parts proving difficult to find, Mark bought another Valtra. He now has three.
The industry has been driven by other brands for years, he says, with prices creeping up. He was happy with the $300k price tag on the 18 tonne, 370 HP Valtra he drove Demi to the graduation dance. “A John Deere with similar specs would likely have cost me $500k,” he says. And he wouldn’t be able to service it himself, instead having to take it to the dealer. With the Valtra, he can service it himself and they’ll still guarantee the warranty, he reckons.
Mark deals with local dealer Russo and Vella and rates them highly.
“All machinery plays up at some point, so having good backup service is important,” he says.
While he has always liked to challenge himself, Mark reckons his focus has always been on being the best he can be personally, rather than competing against others.
It’s a view his father found hard to relate to, Mark says, when he was racing motorbikes.
THE FARM COVERS 4000 ACRES AND IS MADE UP OF A PATCHWORK OF SMALLER LAND PARCELS.
“If you’re not coming first, second or third, why are you doing it – you may as well be home working - that was his view,” says Mark.
Now 55, Mark sees staying up with new technology and innovation in the industry as a personal challenge. But it is a challenge that is also good for his farm, and for the industry.
special feature... AGRICULTURAL FINANCE
Farmers and contractors navigate plenty of highs and lows in their businesses, with unpredictable weather and economic uncertainty adding to the challenges. That’s why keeping a close eye on the bottom line and exploring all machinery financing options is essential. In this feature, top machinery distributors and finance brokers share insights into some of their financial products.
New financial year considerations
It is the start of a new year and we’re not out of the woods yet with regards to tough economic times - so what should businesses be thinking about when it comes to finance?
According to Morgan Strong, General Manager – Commercial for UDC Finance, there are certain conversations you can be having with your financial advisors at this time of year.
One of the most important areas of focus right now is cashflow and keeping your costs under control,” states Morgan. “Businesses who understand their numbers and put the right plans in place to keep things ticking over are more likely to succeed in these tough times. It’s also a great time to identify some key ratios you can use to set yourself up well for the year ahead. By understanding your numbers and communicating your financial position clearly definitely helps any funder like UDC to better assist you and your business.”
Costs will continue to be a focus for businesses, including fuel costs, repairs and maintenance costs, and interest rates. Some questions businesses should be asking themselves include:
• Is your current pricing model at the right level?
• Are your repairs and maintenance costs up, and is this a sign that you need to be looking at replacing your vehicles or equipment?
• Have you reviewed your cashflow for the next few months? Make sure you understand your numbers.
• Have you considered shopping around for the best solution for your specific asset finance situation, particularly with regards to loan payments?
There are numerous types of asset loan payments and structures that can be considered for a small and medium sized operator, and a good lender will present the different options available to you. For example, UDC offer fixed and floating interest rates, or a combination of both, as well as seasonal
payments and balloon payments.
Other questions you should be asking yourself and your financial advisor include:
1. Was your turnover last year the same, better or worse than previous years, and why was that?
2. What did that mean for your gross profit? Sometimes you need to ask yourself honestly, are you busy just for the sake of being busy?
3. What did your fuel costs look like versus previous years? What will the impact be of the tax relief coming off this year?
4. Are your repairs and maintenance costs up, and is this a sign that you need to be putting money aside for a new vehicle or equipment?
5. Have you considered adding an FAF (fuel adjustment factor) to your freight rates, or have you perhaps investigated a renegotiation of rates?
“UDC offer a range of more sophisticated asset finance products as opposed to just simple term loans,” says Morgan. “We have been supporting many of our customers through this
economic downturn with these types of products. Anyone can lend money in good times, but at UDC we pride ourselves on working with our customers, asking questions, and looking for solutions that suit their situation in these harder economic times.
“What UDC can also do, which other funders may not be able to, is provide you with insights into where your operation fits in the industry. We’ve been around for over 85 years now so we do have extensive experience in and knowledge of the road transport, agriculture, forestry, and civil construction industries, which can be very helpful.”
The team at UDC would love to have a chat with small and medium sized operators and provide them with further information. Contact details for all UDC commercial managers can be found in the asset finance section of the UDC website. The UDC team is located up and down the country, so you can get in touch with your local representative, who understands your region, and take it from there.
UDC
Every farming operation is different. Claas Financial Services offer tailor-made financial packages to suit individual needs. They can work out a plan, factoring in the deposit and repayment schedules, to best suit your cashflow situation.
Established in 2010, Claas Financial Services is a division of De Lage Landen (DLL) a proud member of the Rabobank Group, a leading provider of equipment and technology financing to the agriculture and food industries. Drawing on deep industry knowledge, DLL creates
sustainable finance solutions for asset and input manufacturers, dealers, and farmers and contractors in over 30 countries. Their dealer sales team can do a basic quote at the dealership, and they have a finance specialist in each of the North and South Islands for more complex structures.
Whether you want to source finance for your Claas Greenline products, tractors, Scorpion telehandlers, Jaguar, Lexion, or used equipment. Their dealerships and financial services team can provide a
repayment schedule to suit your income periods.
“Claas financial services can be tailored to make sure payment options work for you, taking repayments out, just after your income goes in,” says Claire Miles, Finance and Leasing Manager.
While they may advertise low promotional rates, these often require a high deposit or shorter term. Their no-deposit option may suit contractors better as they scale up their fleet when they pick up additional work, or perhaps you want to have a
repayment holiday when income is lower, or outgoings are higher. They can also assist with rental machines utilising young used machines in their yard where a short-term additional machine is required.
With Claas Financial Services backing the products we sell, the Claas Harvest Centre dealership network is your first point of contact for machinery lending requirements.
Talk to our team today to see what we can do for you! https://Claasharvestcentre. com/finance-leasing/.
Without predator control, these habitats and the native wildlife that depends on them will continue to decline — even with stock exclusion. Our toolbox will guide you through how to manage pests in these unique spaces.
what’s new in.... TILLAGE AND SEEDING EQUIPMENT
HAVING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT IS CRUCIAL FOR ACHIEVING EVEN EMERGENCE AND HIGH-YIELDING CROPS, WHETHER YOU’RE USING FULL CULTIVATION, MINIMUM TILLAGE, OR DIRECT DRILLING. THIS REVIEW TAKES A LOOK AT THE LATEST TILLAGE EQUIPMENT AND SEED DRILLS AVAILABLE TO NEW ZEALAND FARMERS AND CONTRACTORS.
QUALIDISC 21123 T
Soil is a farmer’s most valuable resource, and its care requires precision, efficiency and innovation. Enter the Kverneland Qualidisc 21123 T, a robust and versatile heavy-duty compact disc harrow designed to meet the needs of modern farming.
With its focus on optimising soil health, enhancing productivity, and ensuring sustainable practices, this machine sets a new standard for soil cultivation.
The Qualidisc 21123 T embodies Kverneland's agronomic philosophy of creating and maintaining ideal soil conditions. Whether preparing seedbeds, managing crop residues, or supporting cover crop establishment, the Qualidisc is engineered to deliver consistent, high-quality results. It ensures a balance between effective tillage and minimal environmental disturbance, promoting longterm soil health.
Time is a critical factor in farming, particularly during
narrow post-harvest windows.
The Qualidisc 21123 T is built for speed and efficiency, capable of working at speeds between 8 and 20 km/h across its expansive 12.25-metre working width.
The combination of its two rows of large 600mm heat-treated discs and a unique full-cut system ensures thorough soil penetration and residue mixing, even in challenging conditions with high crop residues such as maize or sunflower stalks. This allows farmers to prepare fields swiftly without compromising quality.
Farming equipment endures immense stress, and the Qualidisc is designed to handle it all. Its sturdy frame and integrated oblique contact ball bearings are built for high radial and axial loads, requiring no maintenance while providing exceptional reliability.
The heat-treated discs offer superior hardness and longevity, maintaining their cutting
efficiency even after prolonged use. Backed by a two-year warranty, this machine promises resilience and durability.
From shallow stubble cultivation to deeper tillage and seedbed preparation, the Qualidisc proves itself a versatile tool. It excels in conservation agriculture by encouraging straw decomposition, reducing erosion, and supporting biodiversity.
For conventional farming, it ensures optimal seed-to-soil contact and consolidates soil to stabilise the surface, reducing the risk of compaction. Its adaptable configuration makes it suitable for use in both light and heavy soils, catering to a wide range of agronomic needs throughout the seasons.
The machine’s intelligent design also ensures ease of use and precision. The foursection frame equipped with the Ground Contour System ensures consistent pressure and excellent ground following, delivering uniform results across the entire working width. Front
KVERNELAND
gauge wheels and rear rollers provide precise depth guidance, while hydraulic systems allow for easy adjustments and quick transitions between transport and working positions. Farmers and contractors can rely on its stability, even at high speeds, with features that minimise jumping effects and ensure smooth operation.
Residue management is a critical aspect of modern farming, and the Qualidisc excels in this regard. Its cutting and mixing capabilities ensure organic material is efficiently incorporated into the soil, promoting decomposition and improving soil health.
By managing weeds and pests through shallow stubble cultivation, the machine reduces reliance on chemicals while supporting a healthier soil ecosystem. The design also ensures minimal soil disturbance, preserving the natural structure and maintaining moisture levels for sustainable farming practices.
The large diameter and aggressive angles of the discs enable effective penetration and cutting, even in tough
conditions. Small notches on the discs ensure a consistent cutting effect across the working width, while the optional big notched discs enhance performance in sticky or sandy soils. The star discs fitted at strategic points further contribute to a perfectly levelled surface, ensuring fields are ready for the next stage of farming.
Farmers and contractors demand equipment that delivers maximum results
with minimal effort, and the Qualidisc answers this call. With features like maintenance-free bearings, user-friendly hydraulic adjustments, and a compact transport width of less than three metres, the machine combines practicality with performance. Its robust build, capable of handling tractors with up to 650 horsepower, ensures it meets the demands of even the most powerful farming setups.
In today’s farming landscape,
sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand. The Kverneland Qualidisc 21123 T represents a significant step forward, offering a machine that not only meets the immediate needs of farmers but also supports the long-term health of their most precious resource, the soil. By investing in this innovative solution, farmers are equipped to achieve higher productivity, lower operational costs, and a more sustainable future for their fields.
The planet’s favourite slug bait
The Horsch Terrano FX and Maestro CV/CX represent the pinnacle of modern agricultural machinery, designed to enhance efficiency, optimise productivity, and cater to the evolving demands of farming. These two machines, while distinct in their applications, share a commitment to delivering precision, reliability, and value. By combining advanced engineering with practical usability, Horsch has created tools that help farmers meet challenges head-on while ensuring long-term sustainability.
The Terrano FX cultivator is a master of versatility, adept at everything from shallow tillage to deep soil loosening at depths of up to 30 cm. Its robust three-bar frame, coupled with a high clearance and strategic tine spacing of 30 cm, ensures thorough soil and organic residue mixing across varying conditions. By breaking up plough pans and incorporating organic material uniformly, the Terrano FX creates an optimal seedbed in a single pass. Unlike traditional two-bar cultivators, the Terrano FX’s extended soil retention time enhances its mixing capabilities, a feature that farmers can rely on even in challenging scenarios.
Efficiency is at the heart of the Terrano FX, and this is evident in its low horsepower requirements. In fact, independent tests have shown it uses 20% less diesel compared to competing models, a remarkable saving that reduces both operating costs and environmental impact. Depth control is made simple and precise, using tractor hydraulics
and packer rollers, while the well-established alu clip system ensures adjustments are intuitive and reliable. Additionally, the TerraGrip tines maintain consistent depth, transferring retraction forces directly to the packer for effective strip consolidation. The result is an even surface, levelled perfectly for subsequent planting. Complementing the cultivator’s design is the RollPack packer. Featuring rigid steel rings and a 55 cm diameter, it excels in consolidating soil on light to medium terrains. The robust construction ensures flexibility across applications, whether shallow or deep tillage is required. The Terrano FX also offers a range of additional options, including fertiliser distributors and MiniDrill attachments, enabling further customisation to suit specific farming needs.
While the Terrano FX focuses on soil preparation, the Maestro CV/CX single grain seed drill takes precision seeding to new heights. Its compact design and universal adaptability make it an ideal choice for handling a variety
of crops, from maize to soybeans. The machine combines a high-capacity seed wagon and a coulter bar, offering working widths of up to 7.2 metres with minimal demands on the tractor. Flexible row configurations, ranging from 8 to 12 rows, with adjustable spacings, ensure optimal versatility to meet diverse farming requirements. At the core of the Maestro CV/CX is its advanced seed singulation system, featuring the AirVac and AirSpeed technologies. The AirVac system delivers precision at operational speeds of up to 12 km/h, while AirSpeed caters to higher speeds of up to 15 km/h, ensuring efficient and accurate seed placement. Both systems require no adjustments for different seed sizes, simplifying operations for farmers.
Supporting this precision is the innovative AutoForce system, which dynamically adjusts coulter pressure based on field conditions, ensuring consistent embedding even in challenging soil types. Coulter pressures of up to 350 kg per row are achieved, leveraging the weight
of the seed wagon for even distribution.
The Maestro CV/CX’s fertilisation capabilities further enhance its appeal. The machine offers options for underground fertilisation using single or double disc coulters, ensuring nutrients are applied directly to the root zone. Farmers can choose between single and double hopper configurations for seed and fertiliser, with capacities of up to 3,000 litres for fertiliser and 800 litres for seed. The Main Tank Supply (MTS) system provides seamless transport of seed to individual row units, maintaining precise placement throughout operations.
Together, the Terrano FX and Maestro CV/CX epitomise Horsch’s dedication to innovation in agriculture. The cultivator’s ability to adapt seamlessly to varying tillage depths, residue levels, and soil types complements the seeder’s precise handling of different crops and field conditions. This synergy allows farmers to approach their operations holistically, achieving superior results with reduced resource input and operational costs.
Both machines reflect a deep understanding of the challenges modern farmers face. The Terrano FX’s efficient fuel use and low-maintenance design ensure reliability and longevity, even under demanding conditions. Similarly, the Maestro CV/CX’s focus on precision, sustainability, and ease of use empowers farmers to optimise their planting processes, meeting the increasing demands of food production with confidence.
Range
The Kuhn Espro 4002 R seed drill is a highly efficient and versatile machine designed to meet the needs of modern farming practices. Combining precision with practicality, it delivers excellent performance across various conditions, whether working after the plough, on minimum tillage, or directly in residues. Its low power requirement and streamlined design make it a standout option for operators looking to maximise output while minimising fuel consumption.
At the core of the Espro 4002 R is its innovative design, which reduces the power needed to pull the machine. This efficiency is achieved through the narrow press wheels that precede the coulter bar. These wheels are specifically designed to minimise soil build-up, lower rolling resistance, and reduce the risk of erosion. The 900mm diameter of the packer wheels further enhances efficiency by maintaining smooth operation and ensuring consistent seed
placement. The spacing and offset design of these wheels eliminate the bulldozing effect, preventing the machine from bouncing and ensuring a uniform seeding pattern, even at high speeds of up to 17 kph.
One of the key advantages of the Espro 4002 R is its adaptability. It can handle a wide range of soil conditions thanks to its levelling system, which includes optional front packer
wheels, track eradicators, or a levelling bar. These features help prepare the ground before the working discs come into play, reducing the risk of the drill sinking in light soils and contributing to overall fuel savings. The hydraulic adjustment of wheel pressure from the cab ensures optimal performance regardless of the terrain.
The machine’s hopper design also adds to its versatility. The RC models offer a divided hopper with dual metering and distribution systems, opening up multiple possibilities for seeding and fertilising in a single pass. This includes sowing a main crop while applying fertiliser beneath the seeds, seeding two different crops at varying depths, or using the entire hopper for a single crop with precision metering. These configurations provide flexibility for farmers to tailor their operations to specific crop and soil requirements. Additionally, the ability to place fertiliser in close proximity to the seed row is particularly beneficial for nutrients like phosphorus, which are less mobile in the soil.
The Espro 4002 R is equally adept at preparing a seedbed. Two rows of 460mm working discs efficiently mix the soil and incorporate residues into the top layers, creating a fine tilth for planting. Their concave design ensures effectiveness in heavier soils, while the paired mounting reduces weight and improves soil flow. The durability of the lubed-for-life disc hubs
eliminates the need for regular greasing, reducing maintenance requirements.
Precision seeding is assured with the Crossflex coulter bar, which guarantees consistent depth and spacing for seeds. The design includes rubber-mounted seeding units that adapt to varying conditions, ensuring uniform placement even at high speeds. The press wheels behind each seeding unit ensure good seed-to-soil contact, while their action promotes capillary moisture transfer to the seed. A covering harrow completes the process by gently covering the seed with soil and creating a surface that minimises slaking, promoting optimal germination conditions.
The Espro 4002 R seed drill is engineered to meet demanding agricultural requirements with a focus on efficiency and reliability. Its 4.0-metre working width, coupled with a compact transport width of 3.0 metres, makes it practical for use in various field sizes and conditions. Weighing approximately 5,500 kg and with a tractor power requirement of 117 kW (160 hp), it is well-suited for mid-range tractors.
Compatibility with Isobus solutions and intuitive settings further simplify operation, allowing operators to focus on maximising productivity.
The Espro 4002 R combines thoughtful engineering with practical features, ensuring that it meets the needs of modern farming while delivering reliable results season after season.
DUNCAN RENOVATOR AS3000
The demands of modern farming require equipment that not only performs but also contributes to sustainable practices and economic efficiency. Giltrap Engineering’s Duncan Renovator AS3000 embodies these ideals, offering cutting-edge technology for farmers seeking to enhance their pasture and crop yields while preserving their soil and reducing operational costs. From its origins in designing swamp ploughs to its current leadership in drilling technology, Duncan has consistently delivered innovative solutions for the agricultural sector.
The Duncan Renovator AS3000 is a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence. Designed for direct drilling, this machine ensures better outcomes for both soil health and the farmer’s bottom line. Direct drilling techniques are known to reduce soil erosion, compaction, and moisture loss while enabling earlier
grazing due to minimal ground disturbance. Unlike traditional tillage methods, direct drilling with the Renovator AS3000 leaves most stones undisturbed, conserving the soil’s integrity and reducing the need for excessive irrigation. These soil conservation benefits directly translate into economic advantages, including significant reductions in fuel use, labour demands, and equipment breakages, particularly in stony conditions. With operating costs much lower than conventional methods, the Renovator AS3000 provides a cost-effective solution for farms of all sizes.
One of the standout features of the Duncan Renovator AS3000 is its adaptability to varying farming conditions. The machine’s coil tine drill design offers several advantages over disc drills, including lower initial and ongoing maintenance costs, superior performance in damp conditions, and exceptional durability. The addition of an opening disc further enhances its trash-handling capability,
ensuring a consistent seedbed. Fitted with the renowned Baker Boot, the Renovator AS3000 prepares an excellent seedbed for optimal germination and growth. For those requiring precise seed and fertiliser placement, the machine’s air delivery system ensures accuracy, even on hilly or undulating terrain.
The Renovator AS3000 is engineered for large-scale operations, with a working width of 3,100mm and a 700-litre split hopper for seed and
fertiliser. This large capacity, coupled with safety rails and an accessible platform, makes loading and operation safer and more efficient. The machine’s design prioritises superior trash flow and features like the high chrome steel points with a tungsten leading edge, which ensures durability and effective penetration in challenging conditions. Its ground-driven jockey wheel and butterfly valve for air rate control between bins further enhance operational flexibility and precision.
When it comes to pasture renovation, combining a Forigo implement with a FarmMax airseeder is a winning formula. FarmShop highlights the benefits of using a Forigo power harrow or mulcher paired with the FarmMax airseeder, offering an efficient one-pass solution for soil preparation and seeding. This setup helps maximise yields while saving time and reducing fuel costs.
A recent example from Northland illustrates the impact of this combination. A severely pugged paddock, grazed down and sprayed, was transformed using a Forigo 3m power harrow working at a depth of 130–150mm and a FarmMax airseeder. Despite no prior tillage, the results were outstanding. Thepower harrow created an ideal seedbed, and the airseeder evenly distributed the seed, demonstrating the efficiency of this one-pass process.
The Forigo power harrow is a standout implement for soil preparation. Its heavy-duty design reduces soil compaction while levelling the surface, making it perfect for seed distribution. With vertical counter-rotating tines, the power harrow easily crumbles large clumps and prepares a smooth seedbed. This design also improves soil aeration, which is vital for healthy crop growth. The working depth is adjustable to suit various crops, such as lucerne, which should be sown no deeper than 25mm.
Durability and efficiency are key features of the Forigo power harrow. Its unique Zeus Tine system uses bi-directional tines, meaning the same part fits both left and right positions. This simplifies maintenance and reduces downtime. The
tines are designed with a heatforged conic surface, which lowers soil friction, while the double-radius profile increases flexibility and shock resistance. These features make the tines highly effective, even in heavy or stony soils, minimising wear and metal fatigue. Additionally, the gear bed operates in liquid grease, eliminating the need for regular oil changes and lowering maintenance costs.
For those looking to tidy up pastures while re-sowing in a single operation, the Forigo heavy duty mulcher is an excellent choice. The 2.8m model, rated for tractors up to 290hp, pairs seamlessly with the FarmMax airseeder for optimal performance. The mulcher’s high body and Y-flails ensure an impressive finish, making it particularly effective for managing kikuyu and similar pasture types. As with the power harrow, this combination delivers significant time and diesel savings.
The FarmMax airseeder is a simple yet precise tool for distributing small seeds. Designed for flexibility, it can be mounted on various tractors and paired with implements like the power harrow or mulcher. This reduces a two-step process to a single pass, combining soil preparation and seeding into one efficient operation. The airseeder is easy to set up and calibrate and
uses GPS monitoring to adjust seed flow based on driving speed, ensuring accuracy and minimising waste.
Manufactured in Ireland, the FarmMax airseeder features a 400L hopper and can handle a wide range of applications. It can sow fine seeds like mustard and turnip at rates as low as 1kg/ ha or grass seed at 80kg/ha. It’s also ideal for establishing green cover crops and applying slug pellets or microgranular fertilisers. The seeder’s robust design includes a 12-volt motor driving fluted feed rollers through a six-speed chain and sprocket system, ensuring consistent performance. Twin electric impeller fans provide reliable seed distribution, while the agitation system prevents bridging and can be disengaged when not needed.
Dion Aitken, a FarmShop customer, has put this combination to the test on properties near SH1 Brynderwyn Junction, as well as in Kaiwaka and Tomarata. “I’m very happy with the results,” Dion says.
“The time-savings of mulching old grass and reproducing new grass in one operation have made it worthwhile alone.
The large electric fan on the airseeder allows for good seed distribution, eliminating striping. Mounting onto different implements is easy—basically just four bolts to change.”
Forigo, an Italian manufacturer, has been producing agricultural machinery since 1972. What began with the Forigo brothers building their first power harrow in a small factory has grown into a 25,000-square-metre headquarters in southern Italy. FarmShop discovered Forigo in 2019, drawn to the robust design of its machinery. Features like wide skids, a large-diameter rotor, and sturdy components stand out. Unlike many models where feet splay out, Forigo mulchers feature wide feet positioned under the machine’s body, preventing distortion. The rear roller ensures consistent contact with the soil, enhancing performance in one-pass operations.
Forigo’s commitment to New Zealand is evident through its partnerships and customer support. Last year, FarmShop mechanics Jeff Cole and Scott Teal visited Forigo’s headquarters for product training. The team assembled a power harrow on the production line, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
“Forigo have heavily invested in their infrastructure and buildings,” says Scott.
“You could sense a strong culture and positive morale on the factory floor. They align well with FarmShop’s values of looking after its customers and team.”
Duncan’s commitment to sustainability and efficiency is evident in the Renovator AS3000’s ability to save farmers up to 75% in fuel costs and 60% in labour compared to traditional tillage methods. With reduced time in the tractor
seat, farmers can focus on other critical tasks while benefiting from the machine’s reliability and long service life. The Renovator’s electric drive option adds to its versatility, making it an invaluable tool for modern farms.
Giltrap Engineering understands the challenges of today’s agricultural landscape. The Duncan Renovator AS3000 offers a combination of advanced technology, robust design, and cost-saving efficiency that ensures farmers
can meet these challenges head-on. For those looking to maximise their pasture and crop yields while maintaining sustainable practices, the Renovator AS3000 is not just a choice; it’s an investment in the future of farming.
Amazone has extended its mounted spreader range with the new ZA-TS 5000, setting a benchmark for performance and precision. Since its introduction, the ZA-TS product line has been synonymous with delivering precise spread patterns of up to 54 metres and application rates of 650 kg/min. With the latest addition, the ZA-TS 5000, Amazone has raised the bar even further by introducing a hopper capacity of up to 5,000 litres, significantly enhancing its efficiency and productivity.
Murray Tuck, Claas Harvest Centre Product ManagerAmazone, highlights the impact of this increased capacity.
“Whilst capacities of up to 4,200 litres were previously possible, the new hopper extension provides up to an additional 800 litres to increase the maximum area output, reflecting the name ZA-TS 5000.”
This boost reduces the number of trips required between the field and the yard, allowing farmers to make better use of their time and meet the
demands of increasingly shorter spreading windows.
The mounted spreader’s large hopper capacity is especially beneficial when using lightweight spreading materials such as urea, ensuring the full potential of the equipment is realised.
“The increased capacity means fewer trips between the field and yard, optimising the shorter time windows for spreading,” Murray adds. Efficient, needs-based fertilisation is guaranteed, providing a valuable edge to farmers aiming to optimise their operations.
Central to the ZA-TS 5000’s performance is its integration of the Ultra frame and Profis weighing system.
This standard feature ensures a maximum payload of 4,500 kg, enabling the full capacity to be utilised without the risk of overloading.
The intelligent design of the Profis weighing system, seamlessly integrated with ISOBUS software, offers precise
control and monitoring. Farmers can define target weights, monitor fill levels and residual volumes, and ensure accurate filling at all times.
The ZA-TS 5000’s advanced features translate into realworld benefits, simplifying logistics and reducing the number of filling operations. By maximising capacity and minimising unnecessary trips, the spreader offers significant time and labour savings. The result is a machine designed not just to meet, but to exceed the
demands of modern farming practices.
The ZA-TS 5000 is already in production and available for purchase. Its introduction extends the Amazone spreader range and reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge agricultural solutions. Farmers can look forward to a product that combines technical innovation with practical enhancements to improve productivity and efficiency on the farm.
Why choose an AgriSpread spreader ?
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES
Variable Rate Technology
Combining on-the-go weighing with dynamic auto-calibration and ISOBUS interface to optimise product usage on paddocks with variable soils and nutrition
Sectional Control
This factory option significantly minimises product overlap and is available in single or twin belt (14 sections) options to suit your needs
AgriSpread App
Provides setup and operational information, operator and parts manuals, as well as maintenance and service diagrams
Accuracy
The AgriSpread range is accredited to 36m Urea *weather dependent*, giving you peace of mind with the most accurate spread pattern
Great Plains Australia, a division of Kubota Australia, is introducing two advanced tillage implements designed to deliver exceptional performance and versatility: the HT1100 TerraMax and the VT1100 Turbo-Max. These new tools are engineered to enhance farm efficiency and adapt to a range of agricultural needs.
The VT1100 Turbo-Max represents the next step in vertical tillage innovation, offering enhanced features that improve both functionality and performance.
Key upgrades include dual hydraulic finishing reels, which effectively manage clods and refine the soil finish, as well as a chopper reel tool for high-residue conditions that mitigates windrowing challenges.
The VT1100 Turbo-Max is available in 6m and 7.5m working widths, folding to a compact 3m for easy transport. It retains variable intensity tillage capability, with hydraulically adjustable gang angles up to 6 degrees, setting it apart from many brands of speed discs on the market.
According to John Moloney, Kubota Australia’s Product Manager for Great Plains, the VT1100 Turbo-Max is engineered with straight 20-inch Turbo blades spaced 190mm apart, with offset gangs creating an overall 95mm spacing.
“This design enables true vertical tillage, preventing the formation of soil density layers and ensuring the preparation of a high-quality seedbed,” says John.
Operators can select from two finishing reel options, either double flat bar or double round bar reels. The round bar reels are suited to stony conditions, while the flat bar reels are ideal for aggressive clod sizing and residue processing.
The HT1100 Terra-Max is the first hybrid tillage tool from Great Plains to be released in Australia, offering a solution that bridges the gap between vertical tillage and high-speed discs.
This innovative tool features a new shallow concave TurboSpeed disc and increases the maximum gang angle adjustment to eight degrees,
enabling more aggressive tillage when needed. Like the VT1100 Turbo-Max, the Terra-Max is available in 6m and 7.5m working widths, folds to 3m for transport, and employs the same finishing tools.
John highlights that the Terra-Max underwent extensive testing in Australia throughout 2023 and received highly positive feedback.
“The aim was to confirm that the Terra-Max offers something unique to the market, especially when competing with highspeed discs,” he says.
“The Terra-Max excelled in handling heavy residue and achieved a smooth, level finish across various soil conditions.”
With these new tillage solutions, Great Plains Australia is addressing diverse needs.
The VT1100 Turbo-Max remains the top choice for operators
seeking true vertical tillage, while the Terra-Max offers increased versatility for those balancing vertical tillage with more aggressive performance requirements.
Demonstrations for the new VT1100 Turbo-Max and HT1100 Terra-Max are scheduled for early 2025. Contact your local Kubota dealer to register your interest and witness these machines in action.
About Kubota New Zealand
For more than 40 years Kubota has been New Zealand’s leading supplier of agriculture, construction and power equipment.
All Kubota equipment is distributed and serviced through our authorised dealer network with over 27 dealers New Zealand-wide.
Agrisem Strip Tills and Agrisem Trailing Multi Discs
In agriculture, efficiency is everything. For Canterbury’s rugged terrain and the diverse challenges faced by modern farmers and contractors, the right cultivation equipment can make all the difference.
NC Equipment, with its extensive range of durable and performance-focused machinery, is committed to providing solutions that maximise productivity and stand the test of time. Two standout offerings from their range are the Agrisem strip tills and the Agrisem 6m trailing multi discs, designed to deliver precision and power in equal measure.
The Agrisem strip tills exemplify innovative cultivation technology. Available in mounted models ranging from 3 to 9 metres, these machines integrate a four-part system that transforms each row into a seedready masterpiece. Clearing trash, cultivating to depths of up to 250mm, and consolidating the soil are seamlessly managed in one pass. The result is a neatly prepared seedbed that optimises planting potential.
Another benefit of strip tillage is that it often allows a row to be completed in one pass, significantly reducing fuel and labour costs. Canterbury grower Brent Austin has seen these advantages first-hand.
"Preparing the ground for maize this year has been dramatically improved thanks to the Agrisem strip till. Firstly, it’s been a massive fuel saving. In previous years we typically used 35 litres of diesel per hectare for cultivation, which was subsoiling and discing. This season, we have averaged 9 litres of diesel across our 180 hectares of ground prepared!
"Secondly, it’s only taken a third of the time, so there’s a huge reduction in labour and tractor depreciation. Finally, we have seen a 50% reduction in base fertiliser costs. This is due to applying the fertiliser more precisely into the seedbed and also distributing it in the same pass. I will have the Agrisem strip till paid off in two seasons!”
Engineered for adaptability, the strip tills feature an onboard air tank for pneumatically controlled adjustments that can be made from the cab on the fly. It also features quick tool-less adjustable depth settings, aggressive side discs for maximum tilth, plus tungstencoated legs and points for lasting wear. Row widths can be easily adjusted along the frame from 400mm upwards to suit many different applications. Each row is mounted on a parallelogram system, allowing 300mm of vertical travel, which ensures consistent results across varied terrains. The inclusion of fertiliser application systems further enhances productivity, allowing farmers to apply solid, liquid, or slurry fertiliser directly as they work. With speeds ranging from 6 to 14kph, this machine balances precision with efficiency, making it an indispensable tool for row crop cultivation.
Complementing the strip tills is the Agrisem 6m trailing multi disc, a versatile solution for primary and secondary stubble cultivation. Its design, featuring individually mounted discs supported by a triangular rubber dura torque system, provides
exceptional depth control and rigidity. The discs themselves are a standout feature, with a unique mulcher profile that ensures aggressive cutting and superior mixing of crop residues. The grooved edge of each 22-inch blade retains its cutting profile over time, making this machine both effective and durable. Operating at speeds of 10 to 15kph, the multi disc is built to accelerate cultivation processes without compromising on quality. Its maintenance-free hubs and robust three-bolt mounting system further enhance reliability, ensuring the machine performs consistently even under heavy workloads. The addition of the rubber ‘Agrix Roller’ provides excellent consolidation options, tailored to meet individual farm requirements.
What sets NC Equipment apart is its dedication to understanding the practical needs of farmers. Drawing on over five decades of industry experience, the company has collaborated closely with manufacturers to create machinery that meets the rigorous demands of Canterbury’s farming conditions. This collaboration has led to the development of
the unique ‘NC Equipment Spec', designed to ensure optimal performance across diverse soil types.
The strip tills and multi disc are perfect examples of NC Equipment’s commitment to excellence. These machines do not simply meet the standard, they set it. Farmers investing in this equipment can expect not only immediate gains in efficiency but also long-term reliability, backed by a team that understands the challenges of modern agriculture.
At a time when the agricultural sector faces mounting pressure to produce more with fewer resources, equipment like the Agrisem strip tills and trailing multi discs provides a clear path forward. Designed with precision, built for endurance, and engineered to maximise productivity, these machines are more than tools, they are investments in the future of farming.
For those seeking equipment that delivers on its promises, NC Equipment offers more than just machinery. It offers the assurance that every field, every row, and every crop will be cultivated with care, efficiency, and expertise.
VADERSTAD
Väderstad’s latest innovations in pneumatic seed drills demonstrate a forwardthinking approach to precision agriculture, aiming to optimise efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance overall farming outcomes. The introduction of a new distributor head for the Rapid A 400-800S, Rapid A 600-800C, Spirit 400C/S, and Spirit 600-900C/S models brings advanced features that simplify operations and deliver greater versatility to operators. Key among these updates are dynamic tramlining and the ability to adjust row spacing at the touch of a button.
Dynamic tramlining is a game-changer for farmers and contractors seeking precision in field operations. The system, which integrates seamlessly with Väderstad’s iPad-based E-Control technology, simplifies the creation of tramlines to accommodate sprayer tracks. By entering the track width and tyre spacing into the E-Control system, farmers can ensure specific rows are automatically shut off at the appropriate time, creating perfectly spaced tramlines. This eliminates manual adjustments, saving time and reducing errors.
The feature also adapts to varying equipment configurations, making it especially useful on farms with multiple sprayers or fertiliser applicators. “Dynamic tramlining allows the seed drill’s full working width to be used, even if the drill does not match the sprayer width,” explains Greg Moore, Norwood Brand Manager - Equipment. He adds, “Operators can switch quickly between fields where different sprayer and fertiliser application
widths are being used.” This flexibility ensures that farmers can maximise productivity across diverse operational setups.
Equally impressive is the ability to adjust row spacing from the cab. With the new distributor head, operators can transition between 125mm and 250mm row spacing with a single command via the E-Control system. This capability is complemented by Väderstad’s SeedEye sensors, which ensure precision across all seeding operations. “The machine can change from 125mm spaced rows to 250mm with the touch of a button in the cab using E-Control,” Greg notes, highlighting the system’s ease of use and reliability.
For irregularly shaped fields, the new distributor head offers additional benefits through its half-machine shut-off feature. Available on models like the Rapid A 400S and Spirit 400C/S, this functionality reduces input costs by minimising overlaps and avoiding double-seeding. It is an essential feature for farmers and contractors aiming to optimise input use while maintaining consistent crop growth.
These updates build on the proven performance of Väderstad’s Rapid A Series. Renowned for their ability to combine seedbed preparation, levelling, drilling, and reconsolidation in a single pass, these seed drills deliver reliable results across all tillage methods. Whether for direct drilling, reduced tillage, or conventional approaches, the Rapid A Series ensures consistent emergence and robust crop performance.
Central to the series’ success is the Fenix metering system.
This hydraulically driven system supports seed rates ranging from 1.5kg/ha to 500kg/ha without requiring any component changes. It provides unparalleled accuracy and efficiency, even at high speeds, while its lowspeed fan design reduces fuel consumption and operating noise. Farmers benefit from a system that balances precision with cost-effectiveness, even in challenging conditions.
Another standout feature is the Interactive Depth Control (IDC), which allows real-time adjustments to seeding depth with millimetre-level accuracy. This ensures that crops are sown at the optimal depth for local soil conditions, promoting uniform germination and healthy growth. Combined with the ability to adjust seed rates on the go, IDC gives operators unmatched control over their seeding operations.
For high-capacity needs, the Rapid A 600-800C models are particularly well-suited. With a 6000-litre hopper divided into two compartments, these drills support large-scale
seeding operations with ease. The system’s reversible auger enhances versatility, enabling farmers to switch between seed-only and combined applications seamlessly. These features make the Rapid A 600-800C an excellent choice for farms seeking high output and operational flexibility.
Farmers with smaller-scale operations are equally wellserved by the Rapid 300-400C/S models. These compact seed drills, available in both seedonly and combi versions, handle a wide variety of crops, including grass leys and cover crops. The hydraulic metering system ensures consistent seed delivery, while the high-capacity hopper reduces downtime during refills. Paired with the E-Control system, these models deliver modern efficiency and reliability in a compact package. Greg underscores the significance of these advancements, stating, “These innovations reflect our commitment to providing farmers with the tools they need to meet the demands of modern farming. By integrating precision technologies, we aim to support farmers in achieving greater efficiency and better outcomes.”
His words echo the brand’s mission to continuously push the boundaries of agricultural technology.
The new distributor head for Spirit 400C/S, Spirit 600-900C/ S, Rapid A 400-800S and Rapid A 600-800C is available to order now for delivery in Spring 2025.
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Precision, efficiency, and adaptability are key considerations when investing in seeding equipment, and the Virkar Dynamic DC drill distributed by FarmChief Machinry delivers on all fronts.
Designed for optimal performance in a variety of conditions, this drill is gaining recognition among New Zealand farmers and contractors looking for a reliable and efficient no-tillage system.
With a focus on sustainability, durability, and ease of use, the Virkar Dynamic DC drill offers a modern approach to planting that meets the challenges of today’s farming landscape.
One of the standout features of the Virkar Dynamic DC drill is its modular design, allowing farmers to add optional kits to suit their specific needs. Built for longevity and minimal maintenance, the drill incorporates long-life bushings and an efficient hydraulic system, ensuring low operating costs. Its high load capacity and low-drag operation make it a practical choice for large-scale farming operations.
The ability to function effectively in stony ground, with up to 350mm vertical movement between each disc assembly, ensures smooth and consistent sowing, even in the most
challenging environments.
Down pressure plays a crucial role in achieving optimal seed placement, and the Virkar Dynamic DC drill provides up to 280kg per disc unit. Each unit features an independent opener disc followed by a seed hoe coulter, and a V-shaped double press wheel giving excellent seed to soil contact, ensuring precise sowing depth without compaction.
The result is improved germination rates and stronger plant establishment. Available in different widths, including 4.5m, 6m, and 7m models, the drill offers row spacing options to accommodate different cropping requirements. Wider row spacing options in the larger models allow more light penetration, promoting healthier plant growth for grain crops.
New Zealand farmers and contractors will have the opportunity to see the Virkar Dynamic DC drill firsthand at the 2025 South Island Fieldays in Kirwee at the FarmChief site, where a unit will be on display. While the drill at the event has already been sold to a Canterbury farmer, interest continues to grow as farmers and contractors seek high-performance equipment that meets local conditions. Feedback from the UK market,
where the drill has been in use for over five years, has been overwhelmingly positive, with reports highlighting its reliability and build quality.
The drill’s design incorporates several key innovations that enhance its usability. The ‘Free Drive’ system allows for high manoeuvrability, featuring an optional steering rear axle that simplifies turns and reduces tension in the disc arms. This not only extends the life of the components but also ensures efficient coverage of the paddock. The option of rear axle steering provides good manoeuvrability through narrow access ways and for drilling around obstacles.
The ‘Easy Vario’ hydraulic system enables seamless adjustments to disc pressure from the tractor cab, allowing for on-the-go modifications to suit varying soil conditions. Additionally, ISOBUS-controlled seeding provides precision and ease of operation.
Perhaps the most significant advantage of the Virkar Dynamic DC drill is its ‘Total Contour’ no-tillage system, which makes it well suited to New Zealand’s diverse and often challenging soil conditions. The drill excels in handling stones, crop residue, and high moisture environments, ensuring consistent seed placement regardless of terrain.
A high working range of 35cm, combined with a parallel linkage system, provides excellent ground-following capability, further enhancing seedbed quality.
Efficiency is another strong suit of the Virkar Dynamic DC drill. With hopper capacities of up to 6,800 litres, farmers can cover more ground in less time, reducing downtime for refilling and allowing longer working hours.
The drill’s advanced hydraulic control system, coupled with ISOBUS compatibility and GPS integration, ensures accurate seed placement with minimal waste. This level of automation not only improves efficiency but also supports sustainable farming practices by reducing seed and input wastage.
Durability and low maintenance requirements further add to the appeal of the Virkar Dynamic DC drill. The use of friction bushings eliminates the need for greasing, while replaceable tungsten knife components ensure long-lasting performance. The disc and knife system operates independently, allowing for easy navigation over stony ground without compromising seed placement. Additionally, the drill’s low centre of gravity improves stability during transport and field operation.
Comfort and ease of use have also been prioritised in the design. Farmers will appreciate the accessibility of the hopper and built-in toolbox, as well as other thoughtful details that make daily operation straightforward.
The ability to lift the machine for transport ensures safe and hassle-free movement between fields. The ‘Free Drive’ system further enhances usability by allowing sowing in curved paths while maintaining consistent row spacing.
The Virkar Dynamic DC drill is proving to be a valuable asset for New Zealand’s agricultural sector. With its robust design, advanced technology, and adaptability to a range of conditions, it offers a forward-thinking solution for farmers looking to maximise efficiency and improve crop establishment.
Over the last decade, 4AG have been heavily involved in seed drill development tailored to New Zealand’s unique conditions, addressing the challenges faced by contracting and large-scale farming clients every season. The company has maintained a sharp focus on delivering quality tillage and seeding equipment to the top end of the ag sector, and has expanded its offering under the Titan brand. This brand reflects the strength and DNA embedded in their product development. Initially known for cultivation equipment, 4AG extended their reach when introducing the Titan Roller drill series, which have now become the industry standard for most contractors. This range has also expanded to include smart, simple direct drills.
The Titan has now had over 10 years of continuous improvement, and under the right moisture conditions, roller drilling remains the preferred method for establishing new grass or fodder crops into cultivated ground in both spring and autumn. Its ability to provide good seed-to-soil contact and even seeding depths results in uniform and vigorous strikes. Once the seed germinates, it quickly creates a canopy that suppresses weeds. Designed with the weight and accuracy needed for wider working widths, the Titan range includes the 8300 and 6300 Profi models,
offering working widths of 8.3m and 6.3m, respectively. The Titan 5400, with a width of 5.4m, is specifically suited to steeper ground and smaller horsepower machines. According to Darren Raikes, Sales Director and Product Specialist, the Titan is particularly at home in steep hill work, where its 500 or 800-litre air seeder, featuring convenient Safe-deck loading and calibration access, distributes seed via 16 outlets with a hydraulically-driven fan.
It’s easy and quick to fold the Titan for transport, and a wide, stable transport chassis with oversized flotation wheels ensures stability and safety on the road. And now, with ISOBUS on board, the Titan roller drill continues to improve, offering even more benefits for farmers and contractors alike.
For those requiring moisture conservation, particularly in drier areas or with lighter soil types, the Roll-Seed-Roll (RSR) system proves invaluable. Nothing beats the finish of a Roll-Seed-Roll for brassica crops and new grass. Available in 4.5m and 5.4m widths, with a combined weight of over 9 tonnes, these units firm the fluffiest of ground. The process of firming the soil, sowing, cover harrowing, and rolling a second time is considered the ultimate approach by many contractors. The rear steering drawbar makes these units a dream to manoeuvre in and out of fields. Additional benefits include extra seed storage capacity, hydraulic weight transfer, and contour following, all reflecting the New Zealand design DNA. The RSR ‘Profi’ is
a roller drill designed from the ground up by contractors, for contractors, offering unmatched performance.
The 4AG Smart Drill SD Series further expands the company’s offerings. The 3.0m wide Smartdrill, with a new 4.0m variant on the way, is a robust, operator-friendly disc drill on 5-inch spacings. It can be used as a direct drill, stitched into existing pasture, or even as a broadcast seeder.
Its unique rear Prism roller closes the slot when drilling, helping to incorporate the seed into the sward when roller drilling. A single-disc operation based around large Agri-hubs mounted on rubber torsion blocks makes for maintenancefree drilling.
One recent SD300 owner shared their experience: “It’s so
Köckerling cultivation and seeding products continue to be an important brand for Ikon Machinery. Based in Orari, South Canterbury, Ikon Machinery is owned by George and Kim Andrews. George says all models in the Köckerling range are at work here in New Zealand, but the bestselling models are the Allrounder S-tine cultivator, Rebell disc harrow, and the Vector deep cultivator.
“All Köckerling equipment is very robust and reliable, and the working job they do in the paddock is class leading, as you would expect from Germanmade machinery,” George says.
“Every Köckerling model can be used for multiple jobs. Some other brands tend to concentrate on building a specific machine for each job, but that is not viable in New Zealand. We need machines that can do as many jobs as possible and leave a good level finish while doing them.”
The Allrounder cultivator is so named because it provides so many options. It is ideal for seedbed preparation after ploughing and as a second pass on stubbles. With its high and spacious frame design, offering 60 cm of clearance, the Allrounder is more than a classic seedbed harrow – it is a universal machine with a remarkably wide operation area. This includes mechanical weed control, first and second stubble cultivation, one-time loosening and aeration of the soil in spring, and the incorporation of manure.
“It does exactly what it says on the tin,” George says. “It can incorporate stubble and open ground after winter crops, and its versatility is unmatched.”
The Allrounder also excels in better straw distribution after combine threshing, making it a go-to implement for diverse farming needs. Models range in size from 3m to 14.5m, with tines spaced at 150 mm and configured
in four rows. The under-frame clearance ensures excellent handling of large quantities of organic material.
Rebell Classic disc harrows are another standout in the Köckerling lineup, specifically designed for shallow cultivation. Available in sizes from 3m to 12.5m and with a depth range of 20-140 mm, they are suitable for work after the combine, plough, or ripper/chisel plough. The 510 mm disc blades, spaced at 130 mm and individually suspended by coil or flat springs, ensure consistent performance across variable conditions.
“Hydraulic depth control on the Rebell Classic ensures you can adapt to changing conditions without leaving the driver’s seat,” George explains. “And Köckerling’s trademark DSTS U-box roller with built-in levelling boards is a game changer.”
For farmers needing heavier discs for deeper work, the Rebell Profiline range is available. These models feature larger 620 mm disc blades and come in working widths of 5m, 6m, and 8m, with the latter weighing in at 10 tonnes.
The Vector deep cultivator rounds out the Köckerling offerings and is a favourite among Ikon Machinery clients
who grow vegetables and grain. This larger machine, available in working widths from 4.6m to 9m, is superb for getting paddocks back into production after crop or vegetable harvesting. The Vector mixes large amounts of straw with soil, ensuring fast germination and excellent levelling.
Equipped with Betek tungsten carbide points arranged in four rows with 270-mm spacings between tines, the Vector can work down to a depth of 350 mm. Hydraulic reset tines provide resilience in challenging conditions.
“The Vector is the ultimate versatile primary cultivator,” George says. “Its double front wheels give hydraulic depth control on the move. It gives you four layers of levelling – furrow levellers, levelling boards, a double STS packer, and a rear following harrow.”
The sprung furrow levellers eliminate tine marks, while the levelling board integrated into the Double STS packer roller reconsolidates and relevels the soil. The double U-box roller remains clean and functional even in marginal conditions, and the rear following harrow adds a final cosmetic finish to the paddock.
Köckerling machines offer unparalleled flexibility, with optional packer rollers, points, and Cambridge roller drawbars available for all models. Farmers can also add seed drills, slurry tubes, and other accessories, allowing the machinery to be tailored to specific operations.
The moral of the story is that Köckerling specialises in cultivation. Whatever your farming system, George advises having a conversation to find the right match.
Over the last decade, there has been a noticeable shift towards minimal or no-till drilling. This doesn’t imply that cultivation is obsolete, but rather that farmers now cultivate only when necessary rather than as standard practice. Köckerling’s adaptable machinery fits perfectly with this trend, offering accessories like front knife rollers for min-till operations.
“They pride themselves on constant improvement,” George says. “They listen to feedback from customers and partners worldwide, which is why their machines keep getting better.”
An example of this innovation is the addition of front and rear levelling boards on the Rebell Classic disc harrows, further enhancing their performance.
simple to use, even my wife can calibrate it, she can drive it. Hook it onto the tractor in 10 minutes and go! We just kept filling it up and kept drilling right through till June because of the extreme dry
we experienced through Autumn 2024. No way we could afford to have paid a contractor to do the amount of seeding we’ve done.”
Following the successful launch of the 3.0m SD300 Smartdrill,
4AG listened to the market and is launching a 4.0m variant this year, which will mainly target medium to large-scale grass farming operations but is still expected to be a popular choice
for contractors across the country. The new model will be available in twin-box variations with ISOBUS control, offering even more flexibility and ease of use.
SAM E-WAGONS - SMART NEW GENERATION
E-FOR-EASY, E-FOR-ELECTRIC.
SAM ARE MAD KEEN ON THIS NEXT GENERATION OF FEED WAGON. IT'S FOOLPROOF AND FUTURE PROOF TAKING FEED MANAGEMENT TO A NEW LEVEL.
This SAM is simple for everyone on the farm to use, very accurate and incorporates smart and intuitive Kiwi tech.
E-for-Easy! No complicated navigation, your ten year old could operate it.
The floor speed can be controlled from a screen on your wagon or from your pocket. The SAM e-Wagon now includes wifi to mirror the controller directly to your device. This could be your mobile, tablet or in-cab screen. Simply press the rabbit for a faster feed out and the turtle for a slower rate.
The rate controller screen has reliable German hardware coupled with innovative Kiwi software. It is hardy and waterproof. It also has a new greatly extended battery life. Reliable, tried-and-true load cells give an accurate measure of the weight of feed in the bin and can be zeroed at any time. There is also a quick diagnostics function for each individual load cell.
SAM feed wagons are engineered to deliver a consistent, even flow of feed, ensuring optimal performance and reliability across a wide range of feed types, including green feed, maize, palm kernel and silage.
Designed with the needs of farmers in mind, these wagons are available in 10, 12, and 15 cubic metre models.
Choose from a low-maintenance stainless steel chain side-feed system for seamless feed delivery or a straightforward centrefeed system for an even simpler set up if you are paddock feeding.
They feature stainless steel sides and front for added strength, high-tensile calibrated chains for reliable operation, and a Trans-Tex deck that stands up to heavy-duty use.
Embracing cutting-edge technology, SAM Machinery brings precision and efficiency to their range once again with their innovative
new SAM e-Spreader.
This is a next-generation fertiliser spreader designed to optimise application and reduce waste.
Equipped with integrated load cells and an in-cab rate controller, this advanced system ensures precise application rates and easy calibration, while its compatibility with third-party GPS systems provides seamless integration for accurate spreading operations whether you are an owner operator, a large scale farmer or a contractor.
New features enable real-time monitoring and control; a handy hectare gauge shows how many hectares of product you have left, and border control for headlands and waterways saves product for next time. All this provides farmers with valuable insights to optimise feeding and fert processes and ensure consistent, efficient operation.
“SAMs have everything you need and nothing you don’t,” says SAM GM Tim Ellingham.
SAM Machinery are a third-generation NZ-owned business renowned for their robust and reliable agricultural equipment. SAM Machinery has become a much trusted name among New Zealand farmers spanning generations.
SAM E-WAGON HIGHLIGHTING THE SIDE FEED.
SAM E-WAGON FRONT VIEW.
MEET THE BOSS
THE BOSS, AS IT’S AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN IN THE VALTRA FOLD, IS THE NICKNAME GIVEN TO THE BRAND NEW 6TH GENERATION S SERIES TRACTOR MANUFACTURED AT THE VALTRA BRAND HOME IN SUOLAHTI, FINLAND.
“This is an exciting model and the first of our 6th generation range,” says Mark HamiltonManns, Product Marketing Manager for Valtra in Australasia.
“We have waited patiently since the S6 was first launched and I’m pleased to say it is almost here, with the first models landing in Australia at the end of January and in New Zealand shortly after.” The S6 range has six models in the range from 280 to 420HP, with the S416 being the first Valtra to crack the 400HP mark.
The S6 retains some of the well proven features of the prior series with power coming from the reliable 8.4L AGCOPower engine (built just up the road from Suolahti at AGCOPower’s impressive Linnavuori facility) with some small updates enabling it to churn out 1,750Nm of torque on the largest model but using 3% less fuel than it’s predecessor.
“The S6 has the upgraded ML260+ transmission and hydraulic pump, heavy duty PTO Drive train and increased rear axle diameter to handle the higher torque output and ensure effective delivery of power to the ground,” explains Mark.
“It is also available with a host of new options including Skyview Cab, numerous LED lighting upgrades and Twintrac Reverse controls.” For those not familiar with Twintrac this option allows you to completely swivel the seat and drive the tractor in reverse exactly the same as you would drive it in the
forward direction using additional controls at the rear of the cab.
“We see increased uptake of this option on our larger machines where customers are using large triple mowers, buckrakes, mulchers and rock crushers,” said Mark. “Not only does it improve visibility and comfort for the operator, but third party independent tests have shown up to 12% increase in productivity when mowing in reverse with a Twintrac option fitted.”
With the S6 being built in Suolahti, Finland, they have access to the multitude of Valtra’s Unlimited Options including Central Tyre Inflation System, Central Lubrication System and the many different paint options including some real head turners like Burnt Orange, Turquoise and Ultra Green.
The introduction of the new 6th Generation to Australia and New Zealand appears to reinforce the commitment to further grow the Valtra brand in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Our intent is to replicate the strong growth which Valtra have achieved in the Northern Hemisphere in recent years by executing a
THE BRAND NEW VALTRA (THE BOSS) 6TH GENERATION S SERIES TRACTOR.
number of key deliverables which are well underway, including the recently expanded portfolio from 100-420HP,” said Fergal Meehan, Director of Marketing, Fendt and Valtra ANZ & ESEA. “Our dealer network is also set to grow significantly as we tap into new areas with our wider portfolio and increased suite of smart farming solutions,” said Fergal.
Look out for the S6 as it hits the Field Day circuit in the near future.
THE S6 HAS THE UPGRADED ML260+ TRANSMISSION AND HYDRAULIC PUMP, HEAVY DUTY PTO DRIVE TRAIN AND INCREASED REAR AXLE DIAMETER TO HANDLE THE HIGHER TORQUE OUTPUT AND ENSURE EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF POWER TO THE GROUND.
THE SPITFIRE: OUTSMARTING POSSUMS WITH THEIR OWN HABITS
THE NEW DEVICE DELIVERS A DEADLY DOSE OF TOXIN STRAIGHT ONTO A PREDATOR’S FUR AS IT ENJOYS A FREE MEAL. LATER, THE UNSUSPECTING ANIMAL INGESTS ITS FATE WITH A LICK DURING GROOMING.
Envico Technologies’ new device is a clever twist on nature, turning predator habits into their undoing.
Armed with a sensor array and a specially designed lure, the Spitfire focuses on possums, leaving other animals untouched. When the device interacts with one of its targets, it sprays a lethal toxin on the animal’s fur, which it ingests during grooming.
What truly makes the Spitfire stand out is its ability to take advantage of predators’ natural behaviours, turning their grooming habits against them.
Envico CEO Cameron Baker is confident the Spitfire outperforms traditional traps. He says it eliminates the possibility of trap shyness because the animals don’t even realise they’re in danger. “If an animal interacts with our device, it’s game over. But from their perspective, it’s just another meal,” Cameron explains.
A long journey
While the Spitfire’s cutting-edge technology may seem brand new, its origins go back more than 15 years. The Department of Conservation first explored the idea of a long-lasting toxin dispenser.
Its initial design was a tree-mounted platform that would only trigger for animals of the right size and shape. An early prototype showed promise but didn’t make it much further.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Envico rediscovered the plans and decided to breathe new life into the project. The company saw potential in the original idea and successfully submitted a proposal to Predator Free 2050 for funding to pick up where things left off.
From there, it was a matter of trial and error.
A lot of it.
Project engineer Phil Elton recalls the countless hours the team spent fixing the original design’s flaws.
“We carefully optimised the Spitfire to accurately target possum and stoats from other possible animal interactions and through device architecture, sensor selection and programming smarts,” Elton says.
Once the trap is triggered, it resets itself and periodically dispenses fresh lure to attract the next target.
Inside the mind of a predator
To make the Spitfire as effective as possible, the team had to step into the mind of a predator. But understanding what makes these creatures tick wasn’t easy.
“As anyone who’s worked with animals will know, they’re often unpredictable and will behave in an infinitely different number of ways,” Phil says.
It’s an intensive process, but Cameron believes it’s what makes the Spitfire so effective.
“We spent a lot of time doing behavioural studies on the target animal in its natural environment to work out what the triggers can actually be. What’s the unique thing it does compared to everything else in its environment?”
Bringing it to the people
For Envico, the Spitfire fills a critical need for large-scale predator control. It can operate for up to a year without needing a refill, and with a target cost of under $400 per unit, it could significantly lower predator elimination and control costs.
Deploying the Spitfire in remote areas could also allow conservation teams to focus on other tasks.
But before the Spitfire can make a widespread impact in New Zealand, it needs approval from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) — a process that can take up to two years. Each species-specific version of
the Spitfire requires its own approval, adding to the wait time.
Since the Spitfire doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional category of toxin-based devices, Envico faces additional paperwork at each stage of trials.
Phil hopes the EPA will eventually streamline the process to encourage more innovative solutions that align with New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 goals.
In the meantime, though, Envico isn’t waiting around. The Spitfire is already being used overseas, in places like French Polynesia and Texas, where there are fewer restrictions. In Texas, the device is even being used to administer medicine to opossums, which are similar in size and shape to New Zealand’s brushtail possums.
ENVICO CEO CAMERON BAKER IS CONFIDENT THE SPITFIRE OUT PERFORMS TRADITIONAL TRAPS.
PERFECT TOOLS FOR PERFECT SILAGE
CLAAS IS THE PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE FOR PRODUCING HIGHQUALITY SILAGE. AS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT WAY TO MANAGE ON-FARM COSTS, HIGH-QUALITY SILAGE CAN IMPROVE LIVESTOCK PERFORMANCE, ASSIST SEASONAL FEED SUPPLY, AND IMPROVE OVERALL FARM SUSTAINABILITY.
Setting up a silage management system that lays out an effective routine for producing high-quality silage is an important financial component of most pastoral farming businesses.
Determining the type of feed system (silage, hay, maize) ensures that desirable outcomes can be achieved using the correct implements and harvesting tools. The Claas Perfect Partners campaign allows farmers and contractors to secure world-leading products, with financial certainty via the early order program.
Each Perfect Partners product is designed to deliver a consistent, high-quality result that can be relied on for superior performance. From the precise cut of the Claas disco mower, the efficient gathering of their liner rake, the unparalleled performance of their Jaguar forage harvester, to the robust handling of the Torion wheel loader – every machine is engineered to work together seamlessly, ensuring the perfect silage every time.
When combined, the products offer an integrated solution for producing the highest-quality silage. Using the right tools, at the right time, leads to fewer crop losses and a higher yield.
At Claas Harvest Centre, they understand the importance of every step in the silagemaking process, which is why they are a trusted choice for professionals who demand nothing but the best.
They know that producing better quality silage leads to higher economic returns, a stable feed supply, lower feed costs, higher nutritional content, enhanced animal health, better animal welfare, increased palatability, and better digestibility. That is why silage making is more than just an art—it’s also a science.
Claas continually invests in research and development, offering technologically advanced products that can help at each control point in the silage-making cycle.
Cutting at the correct maturity and moisture is crucial. It is best not to harvest overmature crops, as harvesting forage above its respective dry matter ranges often results in mould and yeast growth in the silage due to too much air being trapped between the dry material.
Silage will have very high nutritive value and be very palatable to livestock if it is cut at the right time and is not affected by rain or left on the ground for too long. Contamination from soil, debris, or ash will often contribute to poorer-quality silage, which is why it is important to cut your crop with the right implement.
Claas disco mowers offer the cleanest of cuts at high speeds, ensuring optimal forage quality. Using correctly set height-adjusted disco mowers with active float hydraulic suspension ensures ground contour following and avoids soil contamination. Mower conditioners can also speed up wilting times, avoiding nutritional losses.
A Jaguar forage harvester is the benchmark for silage harvesting, known for its efficiency, precision, and comfort. The Jaguar fields a range of easily adapted knife configurations that ensure the correct cut-length to meet the feeding requirements of any ration.
Fermentation-enhancing inoculants speed up fermentation and reduce dry matter losses. Consider using a proven inoculant that improves aerobic stability. The Claas Jaguar’s Actisiler 37 onboard silage additive applicator technology can control flow rates and application, providing on-the-fly response to varying throughput and harvest conditions.
Harvesting within one to two days is ideal. Claas says you should complete your harvest quickly, ideally within 24 to 36 hours. Once mown, pastures continue to respire or ‘live', so their nutritive value starts to decline. Moving this off the paddock quickly maintains quality.
Volto tedders significantly increase the
rate of wilting with Max Spread technology, offering high work rates and exceptional spreading of grass.
Their Liner rakes offer efficient gathering after wilting, with both 3D ground contour following and undercarriages that offer up to six wheels under each rotor to ensure contaminant-free forage, whilst delivering perfect windrows to ensure consistent and efficient pickup.
Good compaction is critical to achieving high-quality fermentation and avoiding losses at feed-out. Selecting an appropriate, clean site for your silage, free of debris and low traffic, is essential.
The Claas Torion wheel loader helps you achieve a well-compacted silage pit. Torion wheeled loaders deliver powerful, efficient, on-the-ground material handling for all farm needs.
The quality of the crop you cut for silage is important, but everything you do, from cutting to feeding out, affects the value of the fodder that cows consume. Silage harvesting’s primary purpose is to provide the perfect feed supplement to livestock, giving rise to better animal health and wellbeing. High-quality silage results not just from the nutritional quality of the crop when it is cut but also from the harvest hygiene and fermentation. All three components must be good to make high-quality silage. If fermentation is poor, the silage will be of poor quality regardless of how good the original crop was.
Landpower and Claas Harvest Centre understand the importance of every step in the silage-making process. They are a trusted choice for professionals who demand nothing but the best. They know that making perfect silage begins with the right tools.
If you are ready to consider how to get the best out of your silage management system, you have nothing to lose. Talk to them today about their early order program to secure your machinery.
‘ALL-ROUNDER’ MAXXUM TRACTOR FLEET KEEPS BUSINESS TICKING OVER FOR AG CONTRACTOR
NICO ROMANO GREW UP ON A VICTORIAN DAIRY FARM AND HAS AGRICULTURE RUNNING THROUGH HIS VEINS, BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO LEAVING SCHOOL AND DECIDING ON A FUTURE CAREER PATH, TRADITIONAL FARMING LIFE WASN’T FOR HIM.
Instead he became a heavy vehicle mechanic, working at a number of tractor dealerships before a new path beckoned.
“Growing up on the farm, I loved the machinery, and used it on my parents’ farm for the hay and silage, and jobs like that. After I started working in the tractor dealerships, I bought a couple of trade-in tractors that were the right price and some people started asking me to do a bit of work for them on their places,” Nico said.
“It got to the stage where I was doing more and more, and still working full-time, so I realised I had a decision to make. The thought of leaving my job and a regular wage to start my own business was a bit daunting, but I really enjoyed the contracting so I made the jump.”
Romano Ag Services, based at Tatura in Victoria, had its beginnings in 2018 and Nico hasn’t looked back. The small number of clients with smaller holdings that he started with has grown to a broader client base with larger properties. Now, his year is dictated by the hay, silage and sowing seasons.
The heavy-lifters of his
machinery and equipment team are three Case IH Maxxum tractors, which Nico says tick every box for his business.
“I like the size of them, and the simplicity – they’re very userfriendly making it easy to show someone else how to use when needed. Another big plus for me is the comfort which is really important. I love them, I could sit in them all day,” Nico said.
“They’ve also got plenty of power for what they are, and I find them efficient in getting the job done.
”When I was in the market for new tractors, I got plenty of quotes, and when it came down to it, the Maxxums represented the best value for money,” he said.
Case IH’s Maxxum tractor is described as ‘the ultimate all-rounder', offering state-ofthe-art features to help deliver better productivity and greater profitability. It’s designed to handle a multitude of tasks with enhanced cab visibility plus power, fuel economy, ease of use and solid performance.
Nico has two Maxxum 140s, and a Maxxum 125, which he uses year-round for cutting,
raking and baling hay, sowing a variety of crops from pasture varieties through to wheat, barley and sorghum, and spraying. Having the three tractors gives him greater flexibility and saves valuable time.
“When we’re coming into hay season, one of the Maxxum 140s is attached to the mower and the other to a round baler, and the 125 has the likes of the hay rake on it.
"Coming into sowing season, one of the 140s has the seeder, the other does the discing and ploughing and the 125 is on the boom sprayer. This just means you’re not having to swap out implements all the time,” Nico said.
Currently, Nico’s preparing
NICO ROMANO’S CASE IH MAXXUM 140 IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF TRACTORS THAT DRIVE HIS CONTRACTING BUSINESS.
for the end of hay season, describing this year’s season as “average”.
“We were probably three good rains away from having a fantastic season. Not the worst season, but not a great season,” he said.
Nico says they did between 11,500 and 12,000 bales this year, over 610ha, compared with his best season to date last year, when they topped 15,000 bales.
After taking a bit of a break over the Christmas period, he's quickly back into preparation fo'the sowing season ahead, including his equipment maintenance.
Nico’s local Case IH dealership, O’Connors Shepparton, keeps his Maxxums running smoothly and in the paddock – their responsiveness and customer service a big plus for his business.
“When you’ve got a limited amount of time to get around multiple properties and do the best job you can for them, you can’t afford to have machinery out of the paddock for too long. Yes, time is money – 110 per cent it is.”
THE MAXXUM 125 IS ANOTHER TRACTOR NICO ROMANO RELIES ON.
Hutt, New
MCHALE INTRODUCE MORE GREEN MACHINES FOR THEIR GRASSLINE RANGE
MCHALE IS A RENOWNED IRISH MANUFACTURER OF GRASSLINE EQUIPMENT WITH A LARGE PRESENCE IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. THE COMPANY HAS INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF NEW PRODUCTS RECENTLY WHICH CAN BE SEEN ACROSS NEW ZEALAND.
Having started exporting to New Zealand in the mid 90s, the McHale brand has gone from strength to strength over the years and particularly since importer Power Farming New Zealand started pushing the brand under the guidance of Graeme Leigh.
In fact, McHale utilise the rugged conditions of New Zealand to undertake machine testing. As conditions are similar to Ireland, McHale extend their testing and development to allow for year-round research after the harvesting season ends in Ireland.
McHale recently launched a number of new products at the tail end of last year which include the new McHale F5 fixed chamber baler range and the McHale ProPel T10-1260 Tedder.
The new McHale F5 Range of fixed chamber balers comprises of four models:
The new F5 range introduces the newly designed Profi-Flo pick-up featuring enhanced throughput and increased crop flow. Bale density and bale binding has
increased in performance to produce higher density bales. A focus has also been placed on operator comfort whilst still ensuring the reliability and heavy-duty build quality that McHale is renowned for is maintained.
In designing the new F5 range, operator comfort and friendliness were at the forefront of the machine’s development. All machines in the F5 range deliver a number of new features through their various control consoles, while ISOBUS compatible machines allow the operator to experience the highest level of customisation and machine performance.
The company is also proud to present the new McHale ProPel T10-1260 tedder to the range. The T10 accompanies the T8, 8 rotor trailed machine and the M6 which is a 6 rotor mounted machine. The ProPel tedders are the ideal machines to lift and aerate even the heaviest crops. This results in the best quality fodder in the shortest time. The tedders have proven to be strong, robust machines which are highly efficient and reliable in all terrains.
The ProPel T10 tedder is a trailed machine that is fitted with a long carriage frame that connects the tedder to the tractor when in operation and serves as a carrier when in transit. Providing the operator with a simple and robust machine, the ProPel T10-1260 features rotor angle and height adjustment along with headland management system to ensure crop is deflected away from the field edge. All tedders in the range utilise a double hook tine for excellent lifting and aerating of even the heaviest of crop. Throughout New Zealand, McHale would be particularly well known for their combination machine – the McHale Fusion – with its latest model being a Fusion 4 Plus that is now on the market for its second season with feedback being quite positive. This fixed chamber integrated baler wrapper is now accompanied by the new Fusion Vario Plus which as the name suggests
is a variable chamber combination machine that succeeds the Fusion Vario.
The new Vario Plus now has the ability to bind the bale in the chamber with film or net. McHale have introduced a host of features in this machine that stem across the range. These include the introduction of their new Profi-Flo pick-up which the company claims is their most advanced pick-up to date and features an adaptive intake, a tapered feed channel and larger rotor which all enhance the appetite and throughput of the machine.
The transfer of the bale from the chamber to the wrapper has also increased along with the speed of the wrapping ring, all enhancements to ensure it can match the intake at the front of the machine and keep output high for the operator. Sticking with variable chambers, McHale have expanded their standalone variable chamber baler range to include the V8 range.
This larger machine can produce bales up to 1.9m and accompanies the V6 range which is a 0.6m – 1.68m baler. The V8 is a high output machine designed for users who require that slightly larger bale.
Equipped with the Profi-Flo pick-up, this range of balers utilise the latest technology to make operation easy and comfortable for the driver.
The top end machine in the range is a V8960 which is a fully automatic baler that allows the baling process to be seamless. The 60 Series of machines are ISOBUS compatible as standard and allow for a host of functionality. If required on the V8950 or the V6750, ISOBUS can be specified as an optional extra on these machines.
From the Irish grassline specialists there is plenty of kit heading our way so stay tuned on more to come from McHale.
FUSION VARIO PLUS.
MASSEY FERGUSON WINS BIG IN SPAIN
MASSEY FERGUSON, A WORLDWIDE BRAND OF AGCO (NYSE:AGCO) HAS RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITION FOR IT’S MF 6S.180 DYNA-VT, AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE ESCUELA TÉCNICA SUPERIOR DE INGENIERÍA AGRONÓMICA, ALIMENTARIA Y DE BIOSISTEMAS (ETSIAAB) OF THE UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA OF MADRID, WHERE THE TRACTOR OF SPAIN 2024/25 AWARDS TOOK PLACE ON THE 27 TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2024.
This was the fifth time the awards event had been held, and the jury - made up of agricultural machinery experts together with a public vote - awarded the MF 6S.180 DynaVT the Tractor of Spain 2024/25 title in the 101-200hp category.
"Everyone at Massey Ferguson is delighted that the MF 6S.180 Dyna-VT has been recognised with this regarded award, highlighting the performance and capability packed into the MF 6S Series,” says Simon van Kruining, Manager, Product Massey Ferguson, Australia & New Zealand.
"Compact and agile, the MF 6S provides a
complete package of features and options, first introduced on the award-winning MF 8S, to ensure the comfort, control, and connectivity that modern farmers need to excel in their field operations,” he adds.
With concentrated performance, the five four-cylinder tractors in the MF 6S Series deliver the power and torque of a larger sixcylinder (up to 200hp with EPM), but with all the benefits of a smaller, agile and compact tractor.
Top transmission choice on all models includes seamless shifting from the Dyna-VT Super Eco that reduces fuel consumption by achieving 40km/hr at just 1,450rpm, or the renowned Dyna-6 Super-Eco, semipowershift with AutoDrive. Designed and built ‘in-house’, the well proven transmissions are perfectly matched with the AGCO Power engines, producing an effective and efficient combination.
Built on a 2.67m wheelbase, the MF 6S
NEW SOUTH ISLAND MACHINERY BUSINESS ADDS LEADING BRANDS
EMERGING AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTOR, WARINGA DISTRIBUTION, HAS INCREASED ITS TRACTION AND SUPPORT TO GROWERS ON THE SOUTH ISLAND WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF A SALES AGENT IN THE REGION, BROWN AGRI SOLUTIONS AT HORORATA, NEAR CHRISTCHURCH.
Supplying some of the world’s leading equipment brands, including Agri-Spread spreaders and Gregoire Besson tillage and soil structuring implements, as well as Elmer’s chaser bins, Geringhoff header fronts, Highline hay and rock equipment and Equalizer seeding bars, Waringa Distribution has wasted little time spreading its wings after commencing in New Zealand earlier this year.
The company has been one of the fastest growing equipment distributors in Australia over the last decade and also recently appointed prominent industry identity, Chris Tricker, to a sales and business development role, and to oversee its distribution centres in the South and North islands.
Waringa General Manager Sam Abbott said the company was keen to appoint agents to help further boost sales, support and service to growers and he was pleased to welcome the newly branded Brown Agri Solutions to the business, led by two brothers with an exciting passion for the agricultural sector.
Conor Brown has been operating the successful CSB Mechanical business at Hororata since 2020, servicing the Selwyn and broader areas, and has recently been joined by his brother, Fin, under the new banner and to expand its support to producers throughout the Canterbury region.
The brothers have 24 years of combined experience in factory training with major
BROTHERS CONOR AND FIN BROWN WITH AN AGRI-SPREAD PRO+ 16000 REAR DISCHARGESPREADER AT THE NEWLY BRANDED BROWN AGRI SOLUTIONS BUSINESS AT HORORATA, NEAR CHRISTCHURCH.
equipment brands and aim to provide a ‘onestop solution' for growers, including across mechanical servicing and repairs, machine and instrument optimisation, precision agriculture systems, auto-electronics, diagnostics and machinery sales.
Originally from south-west Devon in England, both have also gained invaluable experience in Western Australia, where Fin worked with a major machinery dealer group in servicing and sales, including as a precision system specialist.
They are now looking forward to their young families enjoying life together on the South Island and to further ignite their passion for supporting producers and their farm operations.
“New Zealand too is a land of opportunity if you are willing to work hard,” Conor said.
“Our focus is to provide solutions and innovations for all agricultural needs.”
He said they were familiar with a
number of equipment brands in the Waringa Distribution stable and they were renowned for their high-quality build and componentry, as is the machine support and backup from Waringa Distribution through to sales agents and operators.
“Agri-Spread has a great reputation; we have done a lot of work with the GregoireBesson ploughs; and the Elmer’s chasers are another great product.
“A new Geringhoff header front is set to roll in the region as well and it could be a gamechanger for clover and other specialist seed harvesting.
Sam said Waringa Distribution was keen to add further new sales agents across its network in New Zealand, and, together with Conor and Fin, he looked forward to flying the Brown Agri Solutions flag and meeting with growers and the industry at the South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee in March.
Series’ compact dimensions make the tractors highly manoeuvrable, with a turning radius of just 4.75m – the tightest of any 200hp tractor.
Weighing 400kg less than their six-cylinder equivalents, coupled with the powerful engine, the tractors offer a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. As well as delivering high performance with optimum economy, the tractors tread lightly, helping to protect the soil.
MF 6S Series models are also immensely strong for their size, able to handle heavy
payloads with a Gross Vehicle Weight of up to 12,500kg.
A substantial Gross Combination Weight of 44.5t means they can also safely and legally (depending on local road laws) haul heavy loaded trailers.
With up to 9,600kg rear linkage capacity and powerful hydraulics up to 190 litre/min in the Dyna-VT models, the tractors will operate a wide range of large, modern implements with ease.
The MF 6S Series comes equipped with new ergonomics, inspired by the MF 8S, where all
main tractor functions are run from a single new Multipad, ISOBUS-compatible controller and through the multifunction joystick option that offers simple, convenient control of the optional loader or front linkage. These manoeuvrable and versatile tractors are available with a choice of specifications. Along with the wide range of options available, the complete MF technologies package and comprehensive services enable tractor owners to increase productivity and to tailor their tractor and level of investment to match their specific requirements.
• Excellent manoeuvrability with steered wheels for tight turns of up to 80°
• TerraLink Quattro – excellent ground adaptation
• Comes standard with individual rotor lift
• Pro-line duo rake tines
NEW AXIAL-FLOW SERIES FEATURE AS COMBINE ORDERING PERIOD OPENS FOR 2025
WITH HARVEST HAVING JUST WRAPPED IN SOME REGIONS, AND BEING FULL-STEAM AHEAD IN OTHERS, CASE IH IS ALREADY WORKING ON THEIR 2025 COMBINE ORDERING PERIOD FOR THIS YEAR.
Farmers in the market for a new Case IH Axial-Flow have until the end of February to place an order for a current Axial-Flow 250 Series, a new 260 Series, and the new AF9 and AF10 Series. However, AF9 and AF10 Series are in limited supply for this year.
“This is a busy time for our customers and dealers, with customers looking to their harvest needs for 2025, while many are still in the paddock harvesting this season, and our dealers readying combine orders for 2025 and helping ensure their customers get the right equipment for their particular needs,” said Product Manager Marc Smith.
Marc said the new Axial-Flow 260 Series represented the value of feedback from Case IH customers on their requirements for a combine, incorporating the latest in harvest technology and seamlessly integrating that into the machines’ operation.
The Axial-Flow 260 Series includes dual Pro 1200 displays, providing a comprehensive view of every aspect of the 260 Series’ operation. The large displays feature an anti-glare screen for optimum visibility and allow for instant grain quality imaging for a real-time, high-definition look at harvested grain.
The entire display system is also designed for easy navigation among key functions, allowing the operator to customise the display, input Harvest Command settings, set up guidance and share real-time data and critical machine information where appropriate.
“Our Axial-Flow combines have set the standard for grain quality and the highest levels of efficiency and productivity for many years now, and that remains unsurpassed in this latest series. But what customers will really appreciate in the 260 Series are in the cab with the likes of dual Pro 1200 displays, and the easy-to-use and customisable features that give operators access to every aspect of the combine’s functions and performance,” Marc said.
“The comfort of the cab, which we know is absolutely critical given the number of hours an operator spends in the seat during harvest, has also been elevated, with an emphasis on helping alleviate the fatigue and stress associated with such long days.”
Case IH’s Harvest CommandTM combine automation technology really comes to the fore in the Axial-Flow 260 Series, and AF9 and 10 Series, designed to help refine the harvesting process by reducing the number of functions operators need to monitor in the cab.
Also available on the Case IH Axial-Flow 250 Series, Harvest Command monitors everything from ground speed and engine load all the way up to feed-rate control and sieve settings, which are based on the feedback received from the loss sensors, a grain camera and sieve pressure sensors.
The AF9 and AF10 Series have been designed with enhanced power, efficiency and throughput in mind. The AF9’s 634 horsepower and the AF10’s 775 horsepower provide the power to maximise crop flow while increasing speeds, but without putting any additional pressure on the machine.
Built upon the legacy of Axial-Flow singlerotor technology, the AFXL rotor of the AF9 and AF10 is 40% longer than the 250 Series, offering increased throughput, and grain-handling capacity is enhanced with a 16,000L grain tank on the AF9, 20,000L on the AF10. They also include a full suite of precision technology, including dual Pro 1200 displays, Harvest Command and connectivity.
“We continue to remain focused on enhancing the operations of our customers, and giving them the very best in terms of productivity and the value on investment they make. Harvest is one of the most critical periods in any cropping business, with technology features that save time and boost productivity, so that ultimately the machine is helping to maximise the business’ bottomline,” Marc said.
For more information on the Axial-Flow 250 Series, 260 Series, AF9 and AF10 Series, or to place an order, speak to your local Case IH dealer.
CASE IH PROVIDES A POWERFUL RANGE OF TRACTORS, COMBINES AND BALERS SUPPORTED BY A GLOBAL NETWORK OF HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL AND DEDICATED DEALERS.
IT’S NEVER BEEN EASIER TO GET INTO A JCB
JCB has been producing farm machinery since 1945, when Joseph Cyril Bamford built his first farm trailer. JCB is a family owned business that has a reputation for quality and innovation with 74 different machine variations across seven product categories and available in 150 countries. Power Farming is proud to distribute all of the JCB range of equipment in New Zealand, offering comprehensive support through our nationwide dealership network. Call 0800 998 916 or check out our website for more information.
