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Keoghan appointed chair of Animal Evaluation Governance Group
takes out global award for Claas after sales excellence
running four free roadshows in June
Technologies and Good Earth Cotton: powering sustainable cotton
Farming now the home of JCB
campaign getting a re-run
GM of the machinery division at Power Farming brings a wealth of real world experience
place like home for dairy sector scientists
adoption, robots and the future of food feature at evokeAG. 2025
shows strong progress in half-year results
Ora decision could mark turning point for NZ Wool sector
NZ submissions on gene technology bill
Where New Zealand farmers can find value through PTx solutions
Väderstad proceed V 24 brings new technology to seeding machines
UK maize expands despite dairy decline
Transforming unproductive land: the ELHO Scorpio 550 in action
Truck scales of the highest quality thanks to durable load cells
How the AT220 is innovating pest tech
Handle with care for great results every time
boosts frontline staff to improve agrichem wait times
Kubota’s VT1100 Turbo-Max and HT1100 Terra-Max redefine soil preparation
FarmShop mowing to market leadership
Co-creation with the IoT and agriculture: solving agricultural issues with soil sensors
Advanced steering system improves accuracy and simplifies field operations 34 Heading-off one of autumn pastures’ biggest threats at the pass 36 Maximising efficiency and sustainability in farming with the Kverneland iXtra LiFe 38 The all-new Deutz-Fahr 6C 40 Power Farming expands precision ag offering with Topcon partnership 41 The slug solution 42 With all the different camera options -what's the best choice for my property? 45 Cirrus trailed cultivator drill more than just sowing 46 Innovation in cultivation: the future of strip-till, discs and roller drills
49 John Deere’s precision essentials to save dollars and drive tech adoption
50 Rollmax Roller Drills 52 Amazone Ceus the all-in-one machine
53 Stunning optics combined with strong internal qualities
53 Game-changing speed tillers from Tulip 54 Horsch and Grange optimising productivity in primary cultivation
56 Power Farming service, buyback schemes, bolster new business owners 60 Across the Ditch: Holm family continues family legacy 02 From the Editor: Hello and welcome
Editor Angus Kebbell 022 052 3268 angus@agrimedia.co.nz
Advertising Manager
Michael Lightbourne 021 403 853 michael@agrimedia.co.nz
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Lisa Phelan 021 782 228 lisa@agrimedia.co.nz
Circulation
Hilary Armstrong 027 443 3477 admin@agrimedia.co.nz
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Heather Chalmers, Kathy Davis, Elisabeth Johnston, Andrew Olsen, Mark Devlin, Celine Walters-Gray, Marcia Welch.
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Hello and welcome
Whether you like or loathe Donald Trump and his policies, he certainly does not muck around in terms of making change.
ANGUS KEBBELL, EDITOR.
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The United States' decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement once again under President Trump’s leadership is a bold move that raises questions about New Zealand’s own commitments under the accord. The Paris Agreement has long been touted as a landmark international effort to combat climate change, but, in reality, one could argue it has proven to be more of a political instrument than an effective mechanism for meaningful environmental progress. The question New Zealand farmers must now ask is whether our own commitments to the agreement are serving our best interests or simply placing an undue burden on our agricultural sector. Farmers in New Zealand are no strangers to the pressure of meeting stringent environmental regulations. While we are among the most efficient food producers in the world, our sector continues to face increasingly restrictive policies aimed at reducing emissions. These policies often ignore the fact that New Zealand’s agricultural emissions profile is vastly different from that of industrialised nations, where fossil fuels are the primary culprits. Instead, and as it currently stands, we have ambitious climate targets that could place unnecessary strain on rural communities, affecting productivity, profitability, and ultimately food security. Trump’s move to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is centred around the notion of prioritising national interests - an approach that New Zealand could consider more seriously. The United States is essentially rejecting an agreement that imposes costly commitments while offering little in return, particularly when other major emitters such as China and India are not held to the same standard. This raises the question: Should New Zealand, a country responsible for a minuscule fraction of global emissions, continue to bear the financial and operational costs of a system that does not recognise our unique circumstances? New Zealand farmers are already among the most sustainable in the world. Our pasture-based systems, efficient water use, and world-leading research
© RURAL CONTRACTOR AND LARGE SCALE FARMER - No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily that of the publisher and suggest independent advice be sought before acting on information or suggestions contained herein.
in methane mitigation place us at the forefront of sustainable farming. The United States’ withdrawal could prompt our own government to reassess whether our commitments align with both our economic and environmental goals.
This is not a call to abandon environmental responsibility. New Zealand’s farmers know better than anyone the importance of protecting the land and waterways that sustain their livelihoods. However, any climate policy should be grounded in pragmatism rather than ideology.
Like every edition of Rural Contractor and Large Scale Farmer this one is full of people and businesses striving to be better not only in terms of efficiencies for farmers and contractors but also working hard for positive environmental outcomes - from articles on improving crop establishment and cultivation, to gene technology, innovation in pest control, to name a few. It is heartening to see an industry so dedicated to constant improvement across the board.
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.
Keoghan appointed chair of Animal Evaluation Governance Group
Keoghan has been appointed as Independent Chair of the Animal Evaluation Governance Group.
DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown welcomed the appointment noting that Rebecca comes with the right mix of senior governance experience paired with a strong dairy background.
“As a fifth-generation dairy farmer Rebecca understands the importance of our industry and its challenges. I am excited to see this governance group now fully formed and set up to progress the workstreams to accelerate the rates of genetic gain in the New Zealand dairy sector,” she said.
Rebecca says she’s excited to take up this position, outlining her clear priorities. “I have been tasked with leading the governance group to achieve the objectives of this report,” says Rebecca.
The governance group was formed in 2024 to tackle the issues identified in the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report.
“The report highlighted real opportunities for improvement for New Zealand. We know we’ve got plenty of work ahead of us to make the progress we need. We simply can’t sit on our laurels, or we will slip backwards,” she says.
The IWG report said the current system for genetic gain in New Zealand was not fitfor-purpose and that New Zealand’s genetic herd has lagged relative to other advanced dairy industries.
The IWG report noted its confidence that New Zealand can catch up to fully harness
gain, unlocking increased profitability and improving environmental outcomes.
“We’ve formed a road map for improving the genetic gain system for New Zealand’s dairy herd, and my job is to move us along it, providing the independent perspective and ultimately drive the work streams forward, working with my fellow members and their partner organisations,” Rebecca says.
DairyNZ, LIC and CRV have each committed to making changes for the sector’s benefit and are participating in the governance group and working with industry stakeholders, to take the report’s recommendations forward.
The governance group is overseeing a programme of work to strengthen animal evaluation for the purpose of accelerating genetic gain in the dairy sector that includes:
- establishing a future-looking National Breeding Objective
- developing a solution to have one Breeding Worth Index
- developing mechanisms to provide transparency and confidence in the system
- improving the volume and quality of phenotypic data collection
- bringing in relevant international expertise, and
- engagement and extension activities to increase the value for farmers of animal evaluation.
Rebecca joins Cam Henderson (DairyNZ), Corrigan Sowman (LIC), James Smallwood (CRV), and Steve Howse (NZAEL) on the Animal Evaluation Governance Group.
Rebecca is Chair of Fire & Emergency NZ and a director of Alpine Energy Limited and
Tai Poutini Polytechnic and deputy chair of Timaru District Holdings and has held multiple other directorships.
In 2016, Rebecca was awarded Dairy Woman of the Year, in 2017 she received a New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to business, and in 2018 she was awarded the Rural Westpac Woman of Influence award. She has been appointed as independent
Rebecca
Rebecca Keoghan, Incoming Independent Chair of the Animal Evaluation Governance Group.
Landpower takes out global award for Claas after sales excellence
Landpower and its network of Claas Harvest Centre dealerships took out the foundational Global After Sales Excellence award in Bielefeld, Germany, during the annual Claas After Sales meeting last week.
Christian Radons, Claas Global Sales Director, said, “Service is the backbone of our success. Our global aftersales network maximises our machines' uptime, increasing customer service efficiency, and supporting our business with machine servicing, spare parts, service, and digital products.
"We give our customers the promise of harvest, and through our strategic objectives - customer loyalty, growth and profitability - our team members and partners deliver.
"Landpower is an outstanding ambassador of our brand values and a high-performing
distribution partner who is always professional in what they do to benefit New Zealand and Australian farmers.”
The Claas Global After Sales Excellence Award was developed to express Claas’s general appreciation for their global after sales network, which spans 134 countries and wholesale partners. The criteria of the award is based on performance within the four after-sales core functions: Customer Service Efficiency, Business Development, Product Portfolios and Supply Chain Management.
Claas products set a global standard for operating
33 Harvest Centres and 20 independent dealerships provide essential backup and support to customers across New Zealand and Australia.
performance and smart technology. Their machinery is distributed through the Landpower developed Claas Harvest Centre network across Australia and New Zealand. Represented by 33 Harvest Centres and 20 independent dealerships, they sell machines and provide essential backup and support to customers.
“We are delighted to have been recognised by Claas as an outstanding ambassador of the Claas brand values and a highperforming distribution partner.
We have proudly represented Claas since 1987 and we’re committed to providing worldclass service and after sales support, to go with the worldclass machinery we sell,” says Landpower CEO, Richard Wilson.
The award, accepted by Mike Parris, Technical Service Manager, followed his presentation to an audience of 200 attendees at the Claas Future is Calling conference in Germany, and was presented by Christian and Ulrich Timcke (SVP Global After Sales).
RCNZ running four free roadshows in June
Rural Contractors NZ will kick off its 2025 roadshows in four centres in June and like the organisation’s conference, attendance will be largely free.
The RCNZ Board confirmed the dates and venues at its February meeting.
CEO Andrew Olsen says the first roadshow will be held at the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton on Tuesday June 17 with another the following day at Palmerston North’s Distinction Hotel.
The following week sees roadshows at the Croydon Lodge in Gore on Tuesday June 24 and the following day at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch.
He says the roadshows, which were initiated in 2022, provide RCNZ members with an alternative to attending the organisation’s now bi-annual conference.
“We’ve got more than 600 members around the country and fewer than a third are able to
attend our conference. So, we're putting together the roadshows are as a way for more members to engage.”
The roadshows will each kick off with an early afternoon session sponsored by Nufarm, which is dedicated to members who are agricultural sprayers. It will then merge with those focused on grass harvesting and other cropping-related activities.
Andrew is planning for some short industry updates, including one on health and safety in rural contracting which will reinforce the RCNZ’s summer campaign on the risks of fatigue. The afternoon will finish with an opportunity to have a drink and catchup with old mates as well as some sponsor prize-draws.
Andrew says any Rural Contractor NZ member is entitled
to attend and also bring three other family or staff members for free. Any further attendees are welcome but there will be a modest charge.
“Our balance sheet and the support of our partners allows us to put this on for our membership
at no cost. We know that it’s a challenge for all of our members to get to our conference every second year, so we are bringing the roadshows to their regions.”
The 2026 RCNZ conference will be held in June next year in Christchurch.
Wayne Price and Hugh Maxwell were among those attending the 2022 RCNZ roadshow in Palmerston North.
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Downforce Technologies and Good Earth Cotton: Powering Sustainable Cotton
“I’ve been in this space for nearly eight years, and I can’t find anything more compelling than this technology.”
Danielle Statham describes her discovery of Downforce Technologies’ remote measurements of soil organic carbon (SOC) which provide historic data and annual monitoring of carbon at 10m resolution, as a “game changer”.
Danielle and her husband David co-own Sundown Pastoral Company and their cotton brand, Good Earth Cotton®, is a global leader in regenerative cotton farming, producing cotton that is designed to restore ecosystems by improving soil health and capturing carbon.
Since starting the venture, the pair has been driven by a mission to lift the environmental profile of cotton and provide their supply chain with a climate beneficial fibre, but they needed a way to measure carbon levels at scale and monitor the progress throughout the growing season.
“Downforce gives us the metrics we need to prove our environmental claims,” Ms
Danielle said. “It’s not just about saying we’re regenerative; it’s about showing it with real data and transferring that knowledge with integrity.
“Soil tests are essential for NPK testing, but we’re only positioning one point with a soil test. With Downforce, you get thousands of points.
“We thought it was too good to be true at first. But we gave Downforce a few blind tests in a biochar trial paddock where we had multiple soil test results. The Downforce figures came back as pretty much identical.
“The technology itself is a game changer for agriculture and environmental recordings at scale and having someone like Jacquie (McGlade, Downforce co-founder and chief scientist) and her intel in this space provides tremendous support.
“We work directly with many global brands. Greenwashing is an issue in the fibre industry as much as the textile and garment industry and legislative changes are tightening with what can and cannot be claimed. We can stand side by side with honest GHG protocol-aligned environmental data, supported by real scientific research
from experienced scientists.”
By delivering greenhouse gas emissions data through a three-year central moving average, Downforce enables Good Earth Cotton to quantify the positive outcomes of their farming practices.
Verified Traceability
Full transparency across the cotton supply chain is another key area where Downforce’s data helps Good Earth Cotton substantiate their claims.
Good Earth Cotton has partnered with FibreTrace®, a technology that provides full traceability for every bale of cotton. By embedding a luminescent pigment to the cotton at the gin, FibreTrace provides full fibre integrity and transfers the fibre intel when scanned at every stage of the supply chain, providing both physical and digital verification.
“Traceability has come a long way in recent years, but many brands still have no idea where their cotton comes from or the origin of the fibre it may have been blended with,” Danielle said.
“FibreTrace is like tracking a package, or putting an air tag on the cotton. By combining real-time digital monitoring with physical scanning of the garment, it gives visibility across the supply chain, so brands know exactly where their cotton comes from and where it ends up.”
With cotton traveling across continents and blending with other fibres, FibreTrace ensures that Good Earth Cotton’s product can be traced back to the source, maintaining the integrity of the product through to the finished garment or through to recycle.
Watertight traceability requires tangible, verifiable scientific data - which is where Downforce comes in. The data on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and soil health provided by the platform is a safeguard for Good Earth Cotton to verify its product across the supply chain.
Rodd and Gunn’s shift to verified cotton New Zealand-based menswear brand Rodd and Gunn relies heavily on cotton, which makes up more than 80% of its product range. While the brand has long used highquality cotton, achieving full traceability back to the farm has proved challenging in the past.
Samantha Helmold, Rodd and Gunn’s Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Manager,
David and Danielle Statham, co-owners of Sundown Pastoral Company and Good Earth Cotton.
Downforce’s data flows through to the shopfloor, giving brands like Rodd and Gunn full traceability to verify claims on their product labels.
said that changed when Rodd and Gunn partnered with Good Earth Cotton.
“Good Earth Cotton were extremely transparent from the moment we met, providing a level of verified traceability that we previously struggled to achieve,” Samantha said.
“In 2019 when we started voluntary reporting under the Australian Modern Slavery Act, we were becoming increasingly concerned about the allegations of forced labour linked to certain cotton growing regions. With the oncoming global supply chain legislations and increased NGO scrutiny, being able to confidently verify the origin of our cotton became our number one priority.
“Good Earth Cotton, backed by Downforce Technologies, provides us with a complete solution - physical and digital traceability with verified environmental data to support our claims.”
By integrating Good Earth Cotton into its products, Rodd and Gunn now have full transparency across a large majority of their cotton supply chain. FibreTrace ensures the cotton can be scanned and verified at every stage, while Downforce provides environmental impact reports that quantify its footprint.
“We won’t make a claim on our products that we can’t support with verified data,” Samantha said.
“The combination of FibreTrace and Downforce’s data gives us the confidence to know that we’re meeting our commitment to responsible sourcing.
“It provides the consumer with a level of trust and assurance, empowering them to make a purchasing decision based on their own social and environmental values.”
The investment has been significant. In the first season, Rodd and Gunn sourced 300 tonnes of Good Earth Cotton to pilot across some of their core products. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response, the
brand increased its order to 1,300 tonnes the following season, enough to produce over 1.5 million garments across their polo, tee, sweat and knitwear categories in the coming year.
The partnership with Good Earth Cotton has also strengthened Rodd and Gunn’s ability to prepare for future challenges, including global regulatory pressure, climate disclosure reporting and growing scrutiny over supply chain practises and partnerships. By leveraging the tools provided by Downforce and FibreTrace, the brand is well-positioned to meet these demands while continuing to deliver highquality products into the future.
Power Farming now the home of JCB
Power Farming is excited to announce a new chapter in its partnership with JCB. Having represented JCB Construction equipment for over three years, Power Farming is now expanding its relationship to include the renowned CB Agriculture product range.
From February 1, 2025, Power Farming officially began its role as the exclusive distributor of JCB Agriculture in New Zealand. The product line-up includes models such as the JCB Fastrac icon, telehandlers and 435/457 wheel loaders.
Comprehensive workshop, parts and warranty support is already in place to ensure a seamless transition for existing JCB owners.
“Power Farming is a family-owned business with its global headquarters in Morrinsville, Waikato. With over 75 years of operation across New Zealand, Australia, and more recently the United States, the addition of JCB Agriculture is a significant milestone in our ongoing growth,” said Tom Ruddenklau, CEO of Power Farming New Zealand.
This partnership not only enhances Power Farming’s product portfolio but also ensures
continuity and innovation in serving JCB Agriculture customers. The JCB Agriculture brand is already well established in New Zealand, and Power Farming extends its gratitude to the Landpower team for their exceptional care and leadership in developing the brand and setting a high standard for customer service. Power Farming is committed to ensuring continuity and a seamless transition for JCB.
With a world-class portfolio of agricultural
and construction equipment – including leading brands such as McHale, Kverneland, Deutz-Fahr, Kioti, and Maschio – Power Farming is uniquely positioned to meet the diverse needs of farmers and contractors.
“Our customers deserve the best - whether it’s cutting-edge machinery, tailored solutions, or reliable after-sales support. We’re confident this partnership with JCB Agriculture will deliver exactly that,” said Tom.
Fatigue campaign getting a re-run
The summer campaign against fatigue run by Rural Contractors NZ is being refreshed in time for those working on the autumn maize crop.
RCNZ CEO Andrew Olsen says there’s been great feedback on the campaign which was fronted by veteran rural contractor Steve Murray.
He says the campaign was only able to have the reach it achieved because of the videos which were produced with the support of Power Farming.
“There are other organisations
promoting health and safety with financial backing from government agencies but nobody has tackled fatigue like we have.”
The decision to re-run the campaign for the maize season came from RCNZ Board member Julie Clark.
“I made all of my staff watch the videos before Christmas as
part of a Toolbox meeting and then we talked about the risks,” she says. "This made it more personal.”
She acknowledges that employers can only do so much to encourage their workers to avoid fatigue risks.
“You can’t control what they do as they go out the gate.”
However, she says it is important to reinforce messaging, particularly to younger staff to ensure they are eating properly and drinking enough fluids.
Julie said maize cropping started in early February in her home region of south Waikato and would continue through March/April.
Andrew says his members take their health and safety
Former RCNZ Chair Steve Murray fronted the fatigue campaign.
responsibilities very seriously and the campaign includes a video aimed at them.
“They’ve faced the usual summer weather challenges and crop deadlines and these now continue with the maize harvest.
The message is not to put themselves and their staff under too much pressure.”
Building in breaks is a key to avoid anyone getting fatigued, which can have terrible consequences.
A second video is aimed at employees reminding them of their responsibilities including being in a fit state when arriving at work and looking out for other workers.
The third video gives tips on avoiding fatigue, including eating good food, drinking lots of fluids and taking breaks. The videos are supported by more detailed material on the RCNZ website –ruralcontractors.org.nz
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New GM of the machinery division at Power Farming brings a wealth of real world experience
From the workshop floor to the boardroom, Bevin Wolland's career has been one of evolution, learning and leadership. Now, as General Manager of the Machinery Division at Power Farming New Zealand, he is focused on bringing technology and efficiency to the forefront of the agricultural sector.
Born and raised in Pahiatua, in the lower North Island, Bevin was immersed in agriculture from a young age. His parents, Maurice and Christine, established Wolland Contracting 50 years ago, and Bevin spent countless hours in the passenger seat of farm machinery, observing and learning. "I spent a lot of time sitting on that dreaded armrest next to the old man, taking in every move and function he did to operate the equipment,” he recalls.
This early exposure led to an interest in mechanics, and he quickly became adept at repairing machinery. "Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the workshop fixing gear and teaching myself how to weld," Bevin says. This hands-on experience translated into a career in heavy diesel mechanics, where he trained at Jackson Enterprises under the guidance of Trevor Jackson and his team. From 1995 to 2007, he honed his skills at Jackson Enterprises, Wolland Contracting, Cable Price, and Fonterra.
Despite his demanding career, Bevin has always been grounded by family. He and his wife Janine have been together for 26 years, raising three children – Josh, Harry, and Ella. Beyond his professional commitments, he serves as a volunteer station officer for Fire and Emergency in Fielding and will soon transfer to the Morrinsville Brigade.
His transition from hands-on mechanical work to management began in 2007 when he took on a role managing Fonterra’s tanker build business in Morrinsville. This role involved overseeing the construction and delivery of new tankers, ensuring efficiency and reliability in milk collection. Later, he returned to the family business, managing Wolland Contracting alongside his parents. "Growth was front of mind to succeed, being more strategic about what equipment we built and purchased, which in turn gained efficiencies and grew profits,” he explains. Leaving the family business was a difficult decision, but Bevin knew he wanted to expand his management experience. "It was probably the hardest call I made,” he admits. "As every son wants to take over their family
business, there was more than one of us, so we decided to do our own thing. The business is still successfully running with Maurice, Christine, and my younger brother Jamie.”
His career progressed through management roles at Cable Price and Cervus Equipment before joining John Deere as a product and systems specialist for New Zealand and Australia. Working across five key product lines, including mid-range tractors, foragers, and balers, Bevin gained a deep appreciation for agricultural technology. "Technology is key to farmers’ success,” he says. "It’s about gaining better efficiencies and profitability while ensuring compliance with local body regulations.”
This belief in technology’s role in agriculture is what drew him to Power Farming. "I see huge opportunities in building our customers’ knowledge on technology, helping them be more accurate in what they do, and documenting data to report compliance regulations,” he says. "Collaboration is key to building a business, and for me, working closer with our customers is number one.”
The agricultural sector has faced significant challenges in recent years, but Bevin sees reasons for optimism. "Some real positive news for our customers – our beef market is strong, Fonterra has announced a record payout, and the industry is getting back on track. This has started some good enquiry, and I see our industry turning a corner.”
As he settles into his new role at Power Farming, Bevin is focused on building relationships and supporting farmers through
innovation. "We’re bringing in the right products to meet customer needs,” he explains. "The Covid era created a stock surplus, and now it’s about getting the right equipment into the hands of the right people.”
Looking ahead, Bevin is excited about the company’s recent acquisition of the Topcon franchise for New Zealand, a move set to enhance technology adoption across the sector. "This is a massive boost for our customers,” he says. "Technology is about improving efficiency and profitability, and we’re committed to supporting farmers on that journey.”
With a wealth of experience spanning mechanics, contracting, management and technology, Bevin is well-positioned to lead Power Farming’s Machinery Division into the future. His approach remains firmly rooted in the values he learned growing up – hard work, strategic thinking, and a commitment to supporting farmers in their pursuit of success. "We are seeing positive signs for 2025”, he says. "Spring next season, I think we’ll be in a better space, and that’s good for the economy and good for farming.”
For Bevin, the journey has come full circle – from a young boy watching his father operate machinery to a leader in agricultural technology, shaping the future of farming in New Zealand.
Bevin Wolland was immersed in agriculture from a young age, working for the family business Wolland Contracting.
No place like home for dairy sector scientists
On the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, globally celebrated on February 11, we speak to published DairyNZ scientist Dr Lucy Hall about a day which recognises the vital contributions women and girls make to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Among the women helping shape the future of agricultural science is Dr Lucy Hall, a post-doctoral scientist at DairyNZ. With a deep passion for providing research that not only supports dairy farmers but also considers the entire farm system, Lucy’s work has positioned her at the forefront of research aimed at keeping New Zealand’s dairy industry internationally competitive.
With an under-graduate degree in animal science and agriculture from Massey University and a PhD from Lincoln University, alongside experience working on dairy farms and as a consulting officer, Lucy brings practical, hands-on experience to her research, and a strong farm systems understanding. Her field knowledge and scientific expertise makes her an invaluable asset to the industry.
“I am lucky to work in a role which brings together my passion for animals, science and wellbeing. The science allows us to look at things in new ways while also giving back to farmers, the sector and the wider country, which is important to me,” says Lucy.
"If you’re interested in grass-based dairy farming systems, there is no place like home. You won’t get access to more impactful projects or credible people anywhere else in the world.”
Lucy’s research focuses on areas vital to the wellbeing and productivity of dairy farmers, including workplace productivity, flexible milking schedules, the impact of safety improvements on farms, and the relationship between farmers' sleep and milking frequency.
This is part of DairyNZ’s accelerating on- farm productivity strategic priority,
“If you’re interested in grass-based dairy farming systems, there’s no place like home.” On the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we speak with DairyNZ scientist Dr Lucy Hall about her passion for research that supports farmers, enhances workplace productivity, and keeps New Zealand’s dairy sector globally competitive.
with research focused on increasing workplace productivity. Other current research includes 24-month extended lactation to reduce the spring workload peak, understanding workplace productivity practices of leading farmers and assessing the impact of wearables on herd reproductive performance.
One of Lucy’s most recent achievements was having her PhD journal article, a novel study on sleep deprivation in dairy farmers, selected by the leading peer-reviewed international publication Journal of Dairy Science as a featured article. The study was the first of its kind, offering quantitative data on the sleep patterns of dairy farmers—an area that had been largely overlooked in research until now.
“With dairy farmers working with machinery and large animals, sleep deprivation can have serious implications for their health and safety,” Lucy explains. “Farmers often work in isolated conditions, which only increases the risk of severe consequences after an accident.”
The work looked to determine whether farmers were getting sufficient sleep quantity and quality over the spring calving period and identify how different factors affected the sleep quantity and quality as well.
The research findings will have widereaching benefits, providing critical data that could influence the design of safer and more effective working conditions for dairy farmers.
"I’m looking forward to progressing this research more, with our next project using Garmin watches to better understand farmer
"With dairy farmers working with machinery and large animals, sleep deprivation can have serious implications for their health and safety.”
sleep and energy exertion over a full day, rather than focusing on evening sleep.”
From 2020 to 2023, Lucy was a DairyNZ PhD scholar. Today, she continues her important work as a post-doctoral scientist, focusing on further investigating factors affecting workplace productivity including farmers’ sleep, energy exertion, and technology use.
Tech adoption, robots and the future of food feature at evokeAG. 2025
evokeAG. 2025 in Brisbane has seen record attendance, with just under 2,000 delegates, 40 startups and 12 scaleups, and a program of more than 95 speakers, making it the largest AgriFutures evokeAG. event to date.
On Day 1 of the two-day event, attendees heard from speakers, including:
• Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, the world’s first fully electric farm
• Jack Bobo, Executive Director of the UCLA Rothman Family Institute (Food Studies) and author of ‘Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices'
• Sarah Cragg, Head of the Earthshot Prize for the Asia Pacific, an award founded by the Prince of Wales to recognise innovation for sustainability
• Robert Boyd of Boeing Asia Pacific, working to accelerate aerospace decarbonisation
• Anthony Lee, CEO and director, Australian Country Choice, one of the world’s largest family-owned cattle and beef supply chain enterprises.
Hailing from 27 countries, close to 2,000 people descended on AgriFutures Australia’s evokeAG. 2025 event at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The largest agrifood technology and innovation event in the Asia-Pacific, evokeAG. brings together the brightest minds in the sector to catapult Australian agriculture towards its ambition to be a $100 billion industry by 2030 and discuss the most pressing issues facing global food and fibre production.
This year’s conversations were centred around four important threads: economics
and trade, exploring global market competitiveness and investment trends; innovation and future technology, showcasing innovation in robotics, AI, and next-gen technologies; sustainability and environment, inspiring agriculture’s and agritech’s role in climate and environmental solutions; and workforce and skills gap, tackling innovative strategies to attract and retain the brightest talent for a growing agriculture sector.
Representatives from the world’s most dynamic and successful agrifood producers, retailers and investors were in Queensland to share their insights as part of the bold two-day program and its sideline events.
Over fifty start-up and scale-up businesses showcased cutting-edge technologies, from autonomous robots to vertical farming, AI-powered insect monitoring, and dronebased livestock management.
evokeAG. is the largest agrifood technology and innovation event in the Asia-Pacific.
Finding common ground to drive innovation
AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey said AgriFutures was thrilled to be able to deliver its most interactive evokeAG. to date, uniting the agri-food sector on the 2025 theme, ‘Common Ground’.
“Agriculture in Australia – and across the Asia-Pacific – plays a critical role in feeding a growing global population. In light of shifting environmental, trade and market conditions, evokeAG. is more important than ever. The industry can’t stand still,” John said.
“The agrifood sector has always been at the forefront of innovation. The role of evokeAG. is to bring all the masterminds together, the people who can turn ideas into action – the investors, the makers, the scientists and the primary producers,” he said.
For the fifth consecutive time, Elders joined evokeAG. 2025 as the Platinum Partner.
Elders Managing Director and CEO, Mark Allison, echoed the opportunity for the agriculture sector to thrive through collaboration and innovation.
“Our agriculture sector’s advantage is having a resilient mindset and curious approach to farming, hardened by decades of innovating to produce food and fibre in one of the most environmentally challenging landscapes on earth,” Mark said.
“evokeAG. encourages us to continue to innovate by promoting connection and knowledge sharing to help address the modern challenges faced by farmers and the wider agricultural supply chain.”
Mark Allison and John Harvey.
Turning traditional keynote on its head: delegates ask the tough questions.
A highlight of Day 1 was an innovation in itself, with the traditional keynote flipped on its head. Delegates were handed the microphone to ask provocative questions of panellist experts on the future of food production.
As part of the ‘Tough questions – you ask, they answer’ session, change-makers from industry and government were asked on the spot questions ranging from workforce and trade to the impact of innovation and research.
On trade, founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Downforce Technologies, Prof. Jacqueline McGlade said it was important that Australia gets ahead of the game.
“Politicians are fickle, and trade relations come and go – but farmers stay,” Jacqueline said.
“Countries must be better prepared to change the diversity of goods coming out of that country.
“When you look at Australia, you are unfortunately on the cutting edge of climate issues – therefore, being ready and knowing what the rest of the world is going to experience because you already have, gives an advantage.
“You are far more likely to make a success of crops and products that are going to be needed to meet global demand for food. So, let’s get our shop in order, be ready and grow the things that we know we are going to need in the future.”
On ag-tech adoption, CEO and Director, Australian Country Choice, Andrew Lee said that when it comes to scale and commercial viability, individual businesses operating in the agriculture supply chain had an important role to play.
“For ag-tech companies, I would encourage them to approach individual businesses first,” Andrew said.
“Work with a reputable company, and if
that company likes your tech you can then approach a research and development corporation together and that will have a far greater impact.”
In the spirit of collaboration, thought leaders from the grains, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, processing, retail and logistics sectors all contributed to the day’s bold discussions. This included Regional Head for Boeing, Robert Boyd, and General Manager of Agribusiness for CommBank, Natasha Greenwood.
The excitement continued with Day 2 of evokeAG. as speakers delved into robotics, quantum computing, sustainable 3D ocean farming and the war on waste.
Jo Sheppard, Prof Jacqueline McGlade, Anthony Lee, Liv Brennan, Adam Fennessey, Tessa Cook and Andrew Bate, speaking at the event.
Farmlands shows strong progress in half-year results
Improved half-year results from Farmlands show that the co-op’s tight focus on supporting New Zealand’s farmers and growers is working. This result reinforces the strategy that’s guided the organisation for the last three years.
A 14% increase in revenue, to $477.6 million, for the half-year shows that customers are buying more from their Kiwi-owned co-op. An improved half-year EBITDA (up 49% to $17.7m) is the realisation of operational improvements made over the last 36 months – indicating that Farmlands is growing smarter and more efficiently.
“Delivering a strong first-half result is vital as it includes Spring – the most important season for rural supplies. This result means we are in a good position to continue to support our farmers and growers in the second half of the year, while holding our financial position,” says Farmlands CEO, Tanya Houghton.
Tanya adds that the co-op’s focus on operational efficiency is delivering these positive results and that they are not coming at the expense of customer service and benefits.
"We're building a stronger Farmlands that's better equipped to serve our shareholders. These financial numbers show we're moving in the right direction, and the improved customer sentiment we’re seeing is just as important.”
Farmlands customers and shareholders are demonstrating that they understand what the co-op is working to do: provide key farm
inputs at the best possible price, delivered when they are needed.
Customer sentiment is 27% up on the same period last year. Satisfaction with product range and pricing has improved significantly, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the recently-completed three-year product and supply-chain transformation. Customer perception of staff knowledge and expertise has also grown through a period where Farmlands has been investing in its frontline teams, including in key sectors like horticulture and agronomy.
Tanya says, “We are just beginning to see the improvements that were baked into our transformation strategy, and our customers and shareholders are set to benefit even more in future as a strong financial position becomes our foundation for growth.”
There are several other key indicators of smart investment, innovation and growth from Farmlands:
• Digital innovation is at the heart of Farmlands' strategy. Over 7,000 shareholders have downloaded FarmlandsPRO, a new order placing and managing app, and $70 million in sales have been processed through it. 10,000 shareholders have downloaded the Farmlands Card app – which is supporting them to find the best Card Partner deals and better manage their accounts.
• The acquisition of SealesWinslow and follow-up purchase of the Winton mill facility to establish a national feed business are already releasing significant operational efficiencies. Fern Energy, Farmlands’ jointventure bulk fuel business, is only into its third year and continues to grow.
• Farmlands’ new Southland regional hub, the first of a model to be applied in other parts of the motu, is creating savings in freight costs and improving on-farm deliveries.
• Direct sourcing of products is providing greater choice and better pricing for customers. New ranges include agrichemical brand Agstar, and the soon-to-belaunched Top Paddock rural supplies range.
• Three new retail stores in the North Island will be opening in the second half of the year in Hastings, New Plymouth and another North Island location soon to be confirmed. This follows the recent opening of Farmlands' first Horticulture Hub in Hastings. Tanya adds, "The relationship between Farmlands and our shareholders is built on mutual support. As the farming sector strengthens, having a strong cooperative that consistently delivers value will be more important than ever.”
Farmlands CEO Tanya Houghton says they are in a good position to continue supporting farmers in the second half of the year.
Opening event at the new Horticulture Hub.
Kainga Ora decision could mark turning point for NZ Wool sector
The decision by Kainga Ora to reopen a multi-million-dollar tender for the supply of carpet to over 5,600 homes could mark a turning point for NZ’s wool sector, according to an industry expert.
The move comes at a time when the price of strong wool reaches $4 per kg, an eight-year high - driven by a reduction in supply and an increase in demand.
Previously, Kainga Ora issued a Request for Proposal for the national supply of carpet and underlay materials to support Homes and Communities’ maintenance and construction work which stated they “are not looking to procure wool carpet”.
The exclusion of wool carpet as part of the tender process conflicted with a government directive that stated they would “prefer the use of woollen fibres over synthetic ones” in its buildings, where practical.
At the time of the Kainga Ora tender wool advocates voiced their concern at the lack of consultation with the sector.
Greg Smith, CEO of wool carpet manufacturer Bremworth, says he welcomes the change to the tender process and says it is now up to the wool sector to take advantage of the new opportunity.
“As an industry, we need to prove to the government and consumers that wool has all of the features to be competitive on durability and price and win on sustainability because of the natural attributes of wool.
“As New Zealand’s biggest landlord with over 75,000 properties, the government is signalling a massive shift away from synthetics and showing us that it is prioritising the New Zealand primary industry over plastics.
“If they opted for synthetic carpet, this
would require importing around 1.7 million kilos of plastic for its production. In contrast, if the choice is made to buy a locally sourced natural fibre such as wool, we not only improve the country’s trade balance but also reduce the need to deal with this volume of synthetic material when it reaches the end of life and enters the waste stream.
“With a potential contract of this volume for wool suppliers, we also need to consider the broader economic benefits for the country by supporting our farming sector and the precedent it sets for other government agencies, commercial and residential developers,” he says.
Smith says wool is naturally stain-resistant and a fire retardant, unlike synthetic yarns.
“The properties of wool carpets mean they are better suited to provide a healthier and safer home for some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable community members. Wool carpet is hypoallergenic, durable, easily maintained and can regulate humidity by releasing moisture when the air is dry or absorbing it when the air is moist.
“It is also a very efficient thermal and acoustic insulator and is naturally well adapted to helping to keep homes and office spaces warm and quiet.
“The expansion of this tender is a step in the right direction for the wool sector and environment as we know synthetic yarns do not biodegrade whereas wool does break down naturally. It is also a signal to the New Zealand sheep farmers who have been
struggling for a while that there could be better times ahead for them.
“It is great to see that common sense has prevailed and that there has been a move to publicly support this important primary sector,” he says.
Bremworth CEO Greg Smith.
Dairy NZ Submissions on gene technology bill
Gene technology is a subject that continues to provoke debate across New Zealand’s primary sector, and the government’s gene technology bill represents a critical moment for the industry.
DairyNZ has made a comprehensive submission to the Health Select Committee, supporting the bill’s intent but highlighting significant areas that need refinement. The submission makes clear that while gene technology offers opportunities, careful regulatory settings are essential to protect farmers, trade, and the country’s reputation as a high-value food producer.
DairyNZ Chief Science Advisor Dr Bruce Thorrold has reiterated the organisation’s backing for a balanced regulatory approach, one that enables safe testing and use of gene technologies while ensuring farmers retain agency and choice. The bill establishes a foundation, but five key concerns have been identified that require urgent attention: trade and market access, co-existence, primary sector input, Māori rights and interests, and transparency. Addressing these will be vital to ensuring a system that serves farmers while maintaining confidence in New Zealand’s exports.
New Zealand’s dairy sector contributes $25 billion annually in export earnings and accounts for a third of all goods revenue. Ensuring that gene technology regulations align with trade and market access requirements is paramount. DairyNZ is calling for an explicit commitment within the bill to safeguard these considerations. International markets have stringent rules around genetically modified products, and any misalignment could risk the competitiveness of the sector. Greater clarity is also needed around how nonnotifiable and exempt activities are determined and registered. Without clear parameters, there is a risk that regulatory gaps could expose the sector to unforeseen consequences. Another central issue is co-existence. The ability for farmers to choose between conventional, organic, and gene technology-based systems must
be preserved. The bill needs to ensure that the definition of ‘environment’ includes primary production systems so that regulators can effectively oversee co-existence strategies. The production of high-grade seed crops already follows established practices that allow different systems to operate side by side, providing a model for future regulatory settings. However, without explicit recognition in the legislation, the risk of unintended gene flow and its associated market implications remains a concern.
A further challenge is the limited role currently outlined for primary sector expertise in the regulatory process. DairyNZ is advocating for a dedicated primary sector sub-committee within the Technical Advisory Committee. This would ensure that industry knowledge informs decision-making, strengthening the regulatory framework. The current composition lacks sufficient agricultural expertise, an omission that could lead to regulatory decisions being made without adequate consideration of real-world farming impacts.
Māori rights and interests form another crucial aspect of the discussion. The government has proposed a Māori advisory Committee, but DairyNZ is urging officials to explore a broader range of options to ensure Māori perspectives are meaningfully incorporated. The relationship between gene technology, indigenous species, and kaitiakitanga requires careful handling. The submission calls for a more robust approach that respects these concerns while ensuring the regulatory framework remains effective for all stakeholders.
Perhaps the most pressing issue raised is transparency. Trust in the regulatory system will be critical for industry and public acceptance. DairyNZ is pushing for a two-to-five-year transitional period during which greater transparency is required
in regulatory decisions. One key recommendation is ensuring that no technologies or organisms are automatically deemed exempt during this period. This would allow for a measured approach, ensuring that decisions are made with full visibility and stakeholder engagement. It would also help build confidence in the new system, preventing unintended consequences from hasty regulatory approvals. Beyond the legislative framework itself, the process by which the bill has been developed has also raised concerns. Consultation with the primary sector has been limited, with industry engagement largely restricted to a small number of meetings. Farmers have had little opportunity to digest the details of the bill or provide meaningful feedback. Given the potential implications, DairyNZ is calling for a more inclusive approach that allows the sector to contribute effectively.
While DairyNZ supports the intent of the bill, it is clear that refinements are necessary to protect New Zealand’s dairy sector. The risks associated with poorly structured regulations are significant. Trade access, farm management practices, consumer confidence, and environmental integrity all hang in the balance.
Farmers are no strangers to innovation. Advances in breeding, pasture management, and herd genetics have all played a role in improving
productivity and sustainability. Gene technology has the potential to be another tool in this progression, offering solutions for disease resistance, improved nutrition, and environmental benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions. But its adoption must be guided by a framework that maintains New Zealand’s competitive edge while safeguarding the interests of all farmers, whether they choose to adopt gene technology or not. The government now has a responsibility to refine the bill in a way that reflects these concerns. Ensuring trade considerations are embedded in the legislation, strengthening co-existence measures, increasing primary sector input, and improving transparency will be essential. The dairy sector operates in a global marketplace where perception matters as much as production, and regulatory settings must reflect that reality.
DairyNZ’s submission lays out a roadmap for a more effective approach, one that balances innovation with caution, opportunity with protection. The challenge for policymakers is to ensure that this balance is struck. Farmers deserve a system that gives them choices, protects their markets, and upholds New Zealand’s hardearned reputation as a producer of premium dairy products. With the right adjustments, the Gene Technology Bill can be a positive step forward, but only if these critical issues are addressed.
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Where New Zealand farmers can find value through PTx solutions
Advances in precision agriculture technology continue to shape the future of the industry, presenting new opportunities for farmers to produce more while using fewer resources.
As pressures mount to increase efficiency and optimise operations, solutions that enhance accuracy and streamline processes are becoming essential. Precision agriculture technologies provide critical resources to meet these challenges, offering real-world benefits that improve outcomes in the field.
Success in modern farming depends on focusing investments on big ideas and innovations that create efficiencies. However, it is just as important to stay focused on return on investment to ensure that the right solutions are implemented for each specific operation. Farmers cannot afford to spend their budgets on buzzwords or technology that does not deliver quantifiable results. Instead, investment should be directed towards solutions that drive measurable improvements and move the operation forward.
One area where farmers can see significant benefits is in the adoption of smart spraying systems. These technologies increase machine efficiency in the field while ensuring the accuracy of applied products, reducing waste and optimising input use. Similarly, natural resource management, including landforming projects, can create yield-enhancing advantages. PTx Trimble’s WM-FieldForm solution is one such tool that enables farmers to manage land more effectively, improving productivity over time.
The integration of camera-based AI solutions is also laying the groundwork for future autonomous applications. These advanced systems allow sprayers to distinguish between weeds and crops,
transforming what has traditionally been a manual and skill-intensive operation into an automated process. With this level of precision, farmers can ensure targeted application, reducing chemical use and enhancing sustainability.
Beyond these advancements, guidance and steering systems remain fundamental to modern precision agriculture. Ensuring machinery follows optimised paths in the field not only improves efficiency but also reduces overlap and input costs. Product control technologies, such as spreaders and air seeders, provide further enhancements by delivering inputs more accurately, ensuring even distribution and better crop establishment.
The integration of Precision-IQ and PTx Trimble Ag Software connectivity allows farmers to maximise steering paths and make the most out of every field. This level of connectivity ensures that all elements of an operation are working together seamlessly, enabling better decision-making and overall management of the farm’s resources.
The bottom line is that farmers must focus their efforts on projects that deliver measurable outcomes, keeping a close eye on their return on investment. Any technology adopted should either create cost savings through enhanced capabilities or provide greater control over variables that impact profitability. By focusing on solutions that deliver tangible benefits, farmers can ensure their investments drive meaningful improvements in efficiency and productivity.
New Zealand’s agricultural sector has long been at the forefront of innovation, with farmers in the region demonstrating a strong willingness to adopt emerging technologies. This early adoption of precision agriculture tools positions the industry as a leader in shaping the farms of the future. As global challenges continue to evolve, the advancements driven by New Zealand’s farming community will play a vital role
The integration of Precision-IQ and PTx Trimble Ag Software connectivity allows farmers to maximise steering paths and make the most out of every field.
in influencing the direction of agriculture worldwide.
The company continues to be a trusted name for New Zealand farmers, building on a long history of making farm work easier, conserving resources, alleviating labour challenges, and delivering solutions that enhance productivity. As a result of a joint venture between Trimble and AGCO, PTx Trimble now operates under the AGCO brand PTx. This transition has not changed the company’s focus. Instead, the emphasis remains entirely on agriculture and retrofit solutions, with farmer success at the core of every product brought to market. No matter what type of equipment is used, PTx Trimble provides tools to help farmers improve outcomes at every stage of the growing cycle. With a portfolio designed for precision technology at scale, it ensures maximum impact for farmers, delivering new innovations and advancements in retrofit technology solutions that enhance efficiency and productivity.
Justin Van Viersen, commercial director for PTx Trimble, leads operations across the AsiaPacific-Africa region from his base in Perth. His work with the company underscores a commitment to providing industry-leading smart farming solutions that support farmers in achieving better results. With precision agriculture continuing to evolve, the ability to harness these technologies effectively will be key to ensuring long-term success in farming operations across New Zealand and beyond.
Väderstad proceed V 24 brings new technology to seeding machines
Väderstad’s latest seed drill technology, Proceed V 24, will improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for New Zealand farmers and growers from the 2026 season.
Since the first public showing in 2021, Proceed has been awarded for its innovation all over Europe. In both 2022 and 2023, it won the international Farm Machine award, previously known as ‘Machine of the Year’. It has also been recognised at SIMA in France, LAMMA in the UK, AGROmashEXPO in Hungary, and Agrosalon 2022 in Slovakia.
Designed to plant a variety of crops, the Proceed V 24 represents a new category of seeding machines where one machine can increase the yield potential across multiple crops, including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sugar beet, peas, maize, and sunflower. Greg Moore, Norwood Brand Manager –Equipment, explains that the machine merges seeding and planting technologies, bringing the precision of planters to grain crops while maintaining the ability to plant at wider row distances. The result is unprecedented crop quality and great versatility. Previously, there had been a clear distinction between grain seed drills and precision planters for row crops, but every component of Proceed
is built to ensure the exact same start for all seeds.
A technological leap forward, the Proceed V 24 is built around a variation of the familiar Gilstring seed metering unit from the Väderstad Tempo precision planter. It ensures even the smallest seed is planted at the perfect depth with millimetre precision, resulting in a 50% lower seed rate for the same yield. “The heart of Proceed is its high-precision row units and PowerShoot technology,” says Greg. Available with 24 rows and a working width of six metres, the machine operates with either 225mm or 250mm row spacing
Optimal seed-to soil contact at the selected depth across the entire working width.
and a 2,200-litre seed hopper. A front hopper can also be used to enable in-row fertiliser distribution.
To guarantee consistent conditions for each seed, individually mounted preconsolidation wheels work alongside the Väderstad PowerShoot system, which uses air pressure in three ways.
Proceed V 24 represents a new category of seeding machines.
Positive air pressure ensures each seed is placed individually on the rotating seed discs. As the seed is released, air pressure is cut, allowing precise placement into the seed tube before
UK maize expands despite dairy decline
Maize production continues to expand in the United Kingdom despite a declining dairy industry and weather issues limiting yields, say two visiting UK maize experts.
Jon Myhill and Kate Baker of the UK Maize Growers Association (MGA), told the Foundation for Arable Research’s maize field day at its research site near Hamilton in February that 250,000 hectares is now grown in maize.
Despite the UK losing a dairy farm a week because of low milk prices, maize plantings continue to expand by 3000 to 5000ha a year as demand grows from anaerobic digestion plants, where maize silage is a key input. Encouraged by UK government support, these plants produce renewable electricity and bio-gas.
Digestion plants now absorb 30 per cent of maize production, with 60 to 65 per cent grown for silage for beef cattle and dairy.
“Fifteen years ago, this industry didn’t exist,” says Jon Myhill, MGA’s technical agronomist.
Anaerobic digestion plants generally take maize, as well as grass silage and fodder beet, that has been grown within a 30km radius. Plants process about 50,000 tonnes of organic matter a year, providing nearby growers with a stable income at prices comparable to those paid by dairy farmers for maize silage. Digestate, a by-product, is returned to paddocks for fertiliser and organic matter.
While most UK maize is utilised as silage, maize for grain is also steadily increasing, making up 5-8 per cent of the cropping area. However, maize grain growers struggle with plant genetics and yields, which average 8-9 tonnes/drymatter/ha.
“The best harvest moisture growers can get is 30 per cent, so there are big drying costs.”
The UK climate is the biggest issue when growing maize, with a short growing season and fewer heat units compared with big maize growing countries. Increasingly erratic spring weather patterns make achieving timely planting and subsequent early autumn harvests more difficult. “This compressed growing season puts pressure on yields and quality.
“Maize in the UK is typically planted in
mid-April, but last year nothing had been drilled by May 20. Twenty per cent of crop hadn’t emerged by the longest day (June 23). So that’s five weeks of heat units we lost.” Maize silage yields are typically 16-17 tonnes/drymatter/ha.
With chemistry, particularly neonicotinoid insecticides being lost in other crops, growers are turning to maize as it doesn’t have a lot of pest and disease issues. “So, from a crop management point of view, it is relatively straightforward for cereal growers.
“If we can improve maize genetics for UK conditions, I can see a rapid increase in growing areas.”
In contrast, canola (oilseed rape) plantings have dropped by half in the last four years because of a lack of control options for cabbage stem flea beetle, which can cut yields by 40 to 50 per cent. Sugar beet has also lost a key seed treatment.
A significant concern for maize is the increasing difficulty in managing bird damage, with growing restrictions on available seed-applied bird repellents and a lack of new effective alternatives coming to market. This leaves crops vulnerable during establishment, impacting yields.
The MGA provides a platform for growers to share best practices, access the latest
research and technical advice, and collectively address the challenges and opportunities within the maize sector. MGA operations and trials manager Kate Baker says that reducing maize’s environmental footprint is a key consideration, with the crop not having a good reputation in UK, often attracting “bad press”, particularly after substantial rain. Issues include soil compaction, as well as soil erosion and nutrient run-off because of the crop’s late harvesting period. To address these issues, MGA has an extensive programme of trials on under-sowing and cover cropping, (practices which attract environmental incentive payments for growers). Minimum tillage and strip till are also slowly being adopted.
Dairy farming in the UK continues to decline, with the next generation often choosing not to take on family farms. In addition to low milk prices, dairy farmers face the risk of bovine tuberculosis spread by badgers and other animals, as well as new laws around inheritance taxes.
resuming to shoot the seed down to the soil. A stop wheel then receives the seed, ensuring optimal seed-to-soil contact at the selected depth across the entire working width.
Extensive field testing has been part of
the Proceed V 24’s development journey. Väderstad’s engineers and testing department carried out trials across Europe to understand how farmers could maximise the machine’s potential, while independent researchers assessed results throughout
the entire growing period. After a year of full-scale field trials and product refinement, Proceed V 24 is now ready to hit the market. New Zealand customers can place orders now, with deliveries expected for Spring 2026.
Kate Baker and Jon Myhill of the UK Maize Growers Association: maize is expanding in the UK despite low yields.
Transforming unproductive land: the ELHO Scorpio 550 in action
Clearing stones from paddocks is a tough but necessary task, one that needs to fit in between other jobs around the farm.
For contractors and farmers alike, efficiency is key, and finding a machine that can reliably handle the job makes all the difference. The ELHO Scorpio 550 stone picker has become a valuable addition to farms and contracting businesses, proving its worth in challenging conditions.
With a fully hydraulic drive system, the Scorpio 550 operates smoothly and efficiently. It requires a hydraulic flow of 85 litres per minute, with an optimal working pressure between 110 and 150 bar. The machine is designed to run on a tractor’s standard dual-function hydraulic coupling, making it a straightforward attachment without requiring additional modifications. Its maximum continuous power use is 24 kW, and the tractor’s own cooling system ensures oil temperatures remain at an optimal level, preventing overheating during extended operation.
One of the standout features is its automatic depth adjustment, allowing the machine to follow the ground’s contours while maintaining consistent working pressure. This not only ensures an even collection of stones but also makes operation easier, even in dusty conditions. When needed, the hydraulic system increases pressure to a second pickup motor, ensuring no loss of efficiency when dealing with heavier loads. The lifting force at the end of the tines reaches 700 kg, providing the power needed to clear even the most stubborn stones.
The Scorpio 550’s tines are made from Hardox 500 steel, which is more durable than traditional steel spring tines. This allows them to rotate at higher speeds, improving the sieving process and breaking
down organic material more effectively. The pickup drum has a diameter of 1.8 metres and rotates at 80 revolutions per minute, while the tines themselves spin at 125 revolutions per minute. The design incorporates rubber bushings, allowing the sieve bars to flex laterally, preventing blockages and ensuring a smooth operation. If needed, the tines can flex up to 500 mm, lifting out of the sieve to avoid obstructions. With a working width of 5.5 metres, the Scorpio 550 is capable of handling significant areas efficiently. It can pick up stones ranging from 25 mm to 400 mm in size, ensuring a comprehensive clearing process. Its large hopper, with a capacity of up to two cubic metres, allows for extended work periods without constant emptying. The machine’s tipping height of 2.7 metres makes unloading straightforward, whether into a trailer or directly onto the ground for further handling.
For contractors like Ben Scott of Hakatere Valley, the Scorpio 550 has become an essential part of the business. Having added the machine to his fleet in 2024, he quickly saw its potential. With the abundance of rocks in the area, many paddocks that were
previously left untouched are now viable for cultivation. “It’s proven its place where a lot of guys that probably wouldn’t bother with some paddocks, it’s an option – we can clear it, it’s feasible,” he says. “It’s worthwhile getting into and is a big part of my business now.”
One of the features he appreciates most is the machine’s width, allowing him to cover large areas efficiently. Since adding the Scorpio 550 to his operation, he estimates he has moved between 3,500 and 4,500 tonnes of stone. The volume varies depending on the job, but in one instance alone, he cleared between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes. With an average capacity of 30 to 35 tonnes per hour, the machine has significantly boosted productivity, turning previously unworkable ground into productive farmland.
Designed for durability and ease of maintenance, the Scorpio 550 features bolted hopper components that can be easily replaced if necessary. The entire support structure follows the same principle, ensuring longevity and reducing downtime. Large 560/60 R22.5 bogie wheels provide stability across uneven terrain, while the rake wheels are designed to turn with the machine, improving manoeuvrability.
The addition of optional extras like a hydraulic unit, a screen for smaller stones, and a K80 towing eye further enhance the machine’s versatility. With its combination of power, precision, and efficiency, the ELHO Scorpio 550 is more than just a stone picker –it’s a solution for making unproductive land usable, helping farmers and contractors get the best from their land.
The Scorpio 550 is capable of handling significant areas efficiently. It can pick up stones ranging from 25 mm to 400 mm in size, ensuring a comprehensive clearing process.
Truck scales of the highest quality thanks to durable load cells
Truck scales play a critical role in ensuring precise and reliable weight recording across various industries, particularly in the food sector, where accuracy is essential for quality control and traceability.
At the forefront of this precision weighing technology is Waagen Dammaschke, a company that has built a reputation for delivering high-quality truck scales tailored to individual customer needs. A key component of their offering is the PR 6221 load cell from Minebea Intec, a globally recognised leader in weighing and inspection technologies. Reliable and accurate weighing is crucial, especially in demanding environments such as food production facilities, where truck scales are often positioned at the entrance and exit points. These scales measure the weight of incoming lorries carrying raw materials such as grain, sugar and flour, as well as live animals and various liquid products. A second weighing on departure ensures that the exact weight of unloaded materials is documented, facilitating complete traceability throughout the production chain. This process is instrumental in maintaining transparency and ensuring stringent quality control.
Waagen Dammaschke is committed to providing customised weighing solutions, leveraging its expertise and innovative approach. The company manufactures precast concrete elements to accommodate a wide range of scale dimensions, ensuring that customer-specific requirements are met with precision. The PR 6221 load cell, available in 30-tonne and 50-tonne capacities, is central to these solutions. Known for its durability and high accuracy, this load cell offers a class C3 rating, ensuring precise measurements even under the most
challenging conditions.
A significant advantage of the PR 6221 load cell is its ‘Matched Outputs' feature, which eliminates the need for corner adjustment in most cases. Each load cell is precisely calibrated, reducing the time and effort required for installation and maintenance. Fabian Müller, Managing Director of Waagen Dammaschke, highlights this benefit: "With new builds, we see that the load cells are perfectly matched to each other, so that corner adjustment is usually no longer necessary. This feature also proves invaluable during servicing, as it minimises the need for adjustments even after years of use."
Designed for heavy-duty applications, the PR 6221 load cell incorporates a special measuring element that effectively counteracts errors caused by weighbridge deflection. This ensures that even under the weight of heavy lorries, the load cell maintains its precision. Its high restoring force allows it to quickly return to its centred rest position, enhancing repeat accuracy.
In addition to the PR 6221 load cell, Waagen Dammaschke also utilises self-centring thrust pads with an anti-rotation mechanism (PR 6021/06N), further improving stability and accuracy in truck weighing applications. These components contribute to the overall reliability of the weighing systems, ensuring consistent performance even in adverse conditions.
"We are committed to the load cell PR 6221 from Minebea Intec because the quality and the fact that it is ‘Made in Germany' offer clear added value for us and our customers. Thanks to its durability and reliability, using the PR 6221 from Minebea Intec pays off,” says Fabian.
By offering truck scales that require minimal maintenance while delivering consistently high accuracy, Waagen
Designed for heavy-duty applications, the PR 6221 load cell incorporates a special measuring element that effectively counteracts errors caused by weighbridge deflection.
Dammaschke continues to provide valuable solutions to industries that depend on precise weight measurements. Their collaboration with Minebea Intec ensures that customers benefit from state-of-the-art weighing technology designed to withstand the rigours of daily industrial use.
Waagen Dammaschke is committed to providing customised weighing solutions, leveraging its expertise and innovative approach.
How the AT220 is innovating pest tech
Trappers are all too familiar with the time-intensive task of checking traps and replacing bait. But thanks to fully automated traps like the AT220, this is changing.
The team at New Zealand AutoTraps are pioneering what it means to be pest trappers in 2025. Having developed the AT220, a fully self-resetting possum and rat trap, means less trap checking and more pest catching.
The company’s operation manager, Haydn Steel, explains how important it is for pest tech to continue evolving.
“In the present climate of funding restrictions and labour shortages, innovation and automation are key so that existing and new groups can control pests in the most efficient manner possible.”
And what’s more efficient than a trap that resets itself?
The AT220 is tree-mounted with an open cage and spring-loaded mechanism that can self-reset up to 100 cycles. The automatic re-baiting pump mechanism means bait is always fresh and present.
This means the traps can technically be left for up to 4-6 months between services until the battery and lure need to be replaced (though some predator control experts prefer employing regular techniques to increase the attractiveness of your trap to potential predators if possible).
The trap now also connects to an app where you can access the kill counter and other trap data for monitoring purposes.
Haydn says his team are “always looking to improve our traps, so we listen to all
AT220s went through many lure iterations, landing on this “hitech” mayonnaise in a pouch
suggestions made by our customers and act on the ones that we see merit in.” The relationship between trappers and trap makers allows for constant improvement.
There are currently some exciting prototypes in development, including a kea exclusion model and one with a microchip reader that will exclude domestic cats.
When it comes to predator control, it’s a race against time. But technological advances like this are giving us a chance at gaining the upper hand.
From teething problems to triumph
In 2016, Kevin Bain, the company’s technical manager and inventor, set out to create “a trap that not only reset itself but targeted multiple species to eliminate the need for multiple traps”. After achieving exactly that, the team has been refining it ever since.
The journey has been challenging. An external design review by professional engineers had to occur before the Gen2 version was released to Bay Bush Action Trust in 2020 for a landscape-scale field trial, and even then, there were a few bumps in the road.
The Bay Bush Action Trust is a team of volunteers who do multi-species pest control in Opua State Forest, a 2,000-hectare lowland coastal forest in the Bay of Islands.
“Craig and the team at Bay Bush had a number of issues with the early model traps,” says Haydn. Despite this, they were still impressed with the results they achieved with the AT220, as stated in their report on the year-long trial.
“We expected there would be a few teething problems, and there were, but the results still blew us away! In just three months, monitoring showed rats had gone from 46.6% to 3.3%, and, 6 months on, 0%. One year on, they were still 0%.”
Monitoring signs for possums showed a similar decline: “Possum monitoring using wax tags in the field trial area went from 75% to 5% for the last quarter.”
Testing the trap in a large-scale field trial was vital for the changes that had to be made to get the trap to where it is today.
“With their feedback, we have now rectified these issues, and our latest model is performing exceptionally well,” says Haydn.
From Bay Bush to Bluff
The AT220 is now in widespread use throughout Aotearoa. From the Bay of Islands, Banks Peninsula and the Dunedin Halo Project to as far south as Bluff, the trap is helping groups across the country save time while they work to save our native species.
Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust is using around 150 AT220s and has ambitions to eventually reintroduce kiwi. While the traps are a substantial investment (a $495 per unit price tag), trust leader David Swann thinks it’s worth it when they’re catching multiple possums a night.
The Halo Project in Dunedin has been working with NZ AutoTraps for several years and has almost 900 in operation. While it’s not a perfect set up, errors are rare, and the data accumulated over thousands of trap nights speaks for itself.
Halo Project operations manager Jonah Kitto-Verhoef says the real-world and trail camera observations nearly match up with the AT220’s recorded data; if anything, the trap “slightly underestimates the number of possums controlled”.
“We can set and walk away knowing the AT220 is out there doing the hard work for us.”
AT220 trap is self-resetting.
GAL-K Disc Harrow
GAL-K is available in a wide variety of widths, from 4m to 12m’s wide. Designed for pre-seeding and post-harvesting cultivation. Built around a sturdy frame and using boron steel 560mm notched discs, reinforced maintenance free bearing units. Premium grade materials provide exceptional durability. Hydraulic working depth adjustment and transport chassis with pneumatic brakes are standard.
SIDE SCREENS WITH RUBBER DAMPING
5- YEAR WARRANTY MAINTENANCE FREE HUB
RHINO Primary Cultivator
Heavy duty primary cultivator available in 4.5m or 6m widths. Each ripper is equipped with double spring protection. As standard these come with front support floatation wheels. A row of offset discs are fitted after the rippers and a huge range or rear rollers are available. These are very popular machines and very competitively priced against similar machines.
4 BANKS OF TINES DOUBLE
HYDRAULIC WORKING DEPTH ADJUSTMENT (HRGP)
WHEELS 480/45-17”
Handle with care for great results every time
Anyone can sow (and grow) an average pasture this autumn. But pasture good enough to turns heads and make the neighbours envious? That’s a different story.
It’s also a chance to give your farmers a big leg up for 2025-26, because every paddock sown well in the weeks ahead isn’t merely something to be proud of; it’s fuel for their future success.
Barenbrug pasture specialist Graham Kerr says the key to consistently great results (and happy farmers) lies in establishing new grass as carefully as if it was a crop of maize or other forage.
With potential production of 100+ tonnes of dry matter per ha over its lifetime, new pasture generates far more feed than any annual crop, but is rarely treated with the same respect at the start of its life.
“Perennial ryegrass, for example, is the beating heart of our pastoral farm systems. Yet in many cases we still establish short term crops like maize with far more care and attention,” he says.
And that is usually a quick route to
disappointing growth, performance and poor legume content, if not premature death.
“Remember pasture is the magic gift that keeps giving. Once your farmers feed a truckload of supplement, it’s gone. Graze a
Stitch in extra certainty for the coming season.
pasture, and it grows again.
“So it’s worth giving it the best start,
particularly this autumn when so many farms are showing the effects of lower rates of pasture renewal in the past two years.”
The first step is to allow more time for renewal.
“A great 100+ tonne/ha crop of new pasture cannot be rushed. A big issue is that everyone wants to get their grass sown all at once, and in a short period of time.
“These two things can create a tension, but if you think about return on investment this job is too important to be done in a hurry.”
Ideally, he says, farmers and contractors should plan carefully and allow up to three weeks to make sure everything is wellorganised prior to drilling.
That includes covering off all the details, with the priority being what’s right for the new grass, rather than what is most convenient or fastest.
Too important a job to rush.
Sowing date, soil and weather conditions, drilling method, seedbed preparation, seed depth, and tractor speed can help or hinder new pasture establishment more than most farmers realise, Graham says.
“Once that seed is in the ground, it’s not at all easy to go back to fix things that were missed. More problems with persistence and poor performance start before or at sowing than at any other time.”
Over-cultivating – especially use of PTOdriven equipment in dry conditions – poses a real risk.
Without good soil structure, new seedlings cannot anchor themselves firmly into the ground and may well get pulled out at grazing.
Soil structure also drives soil water holding capacity and drainage, so losing this makes pastures much more susceptible to treading damage or drought.
Graham says good tillage practices retain soil moisture and integrity, and help persistence.
Similarly, wide-row (15 cm) drills designed for cereals leave too much bare ground for weeds to take hold early.
Roller-drill, broadcast, cross or diamond drill, or narrow-row drill are better techniques, spreading seed evenly across the soil so early weed competition is minimised.
Clover needs to sown shallow, and not in a tight drill row with ryegrass where it suffers.
“There are many ways to achieve a good result - I challenge people to make it happen. For example, I know some contractors have a small electric spinner to sow clover seed in the front of the drill, to keep it away from ryegrass. This is a great way to achieve a single pass operation that delivers better results.”
Stitch in extra certainty for the coming season.
Kiss of life
Undersowing will help many farmers rejuvenate poor-producing paddocks this autumn if they are worried about feed in the season ahead, Graham says.
“Depending on what type of seed they choose, they can get two or three more years out of paddocks that would otherwise go backwards, gain weeds and lose quality. That’s feed they won’t have to buy or find elsewhere.”
How much feed?
One to three tonnes of utilisable dry matter per ha, if they stitch in hybrid or Italian ryegrass, and do the job properly.
The bonus is more energy and protein for their animals, plus extra farm grown feed during winter and spring, too.
Undersowing is a great, quick method that causes little disruption to farm operations. But it doesn’t work in all situations, and the most common cause of failure with undersowing is lack of bare ground.
“Baby ryegrass hates crowds! Jamming
seed into soil already full of summer grass, weeds or even existing ryegrass is a death sentence.”
If the pasture is dense and weeds are in the way, spray them first.
Hard graze thin, open paddocks down to at least 4 cm, then drill immediately. Sow no deeper than 1 cm. Help the seed:soil contact with a nice roll afterwards, and watch out for slugs.
Graham says Italian and hybrid ryegrasses like Tabu+, Shogun NEA12 or Forge NEA are tailor-made for undersowing because they jump out of the ground so fast.
“Always use treated seed, and remember Italians and annuals don’t have endophyte. In the North Island if you want extra growth for more than one winter and spring, Shogun NEA12 or Forge NEA are recommended.
“Whatever grass you pick, leave clover out. You can spin it on separately, preferably in spring, but it doesn’t do well being drilled tightly with ryegrass into existing swards.”
EPA boosts frontline staff to improve agrichem wait times
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is bolstering its frontline applications teams as part of a suite of planned improvements to reduce application timeframes.
EPA General Manager Hazardous Substances and New Organisms, Dr Chris Hill, says the EPA appreciates the industry’s concerns about delays for agrichemical applications.
“Through careful reprioritisation of our funding, we are now in a position to recruit additional frontline staff for a new team.
“And once our full raft of improvements are complete, we will see an increase in applications being processed.”
Other planned improvements include:
· creating a prioritisation framework for the queue
· developing new group standards for lowrisk hazardous substances
· working with the Ministry for the Environment on amendments to the HSNO Act
· improving communication and transparency with applicants and
stakeholders, including recently contacting industry for details of innovative or softer chemicals.
Chris said changes made previously, such as the hiring of additional applications staff in recent years and the introduction of the international regulator rapid assessment pathway, were now starting to have an impact.
“For the first time in more than four years, we are deciding a similar number of applications to new applications that are lodged. In the seven months of this financial year there have been 36 release applications lodged and 34 decided.
“Of these, 32 were rapid or lower-risk assessments and two were higher-tier risk assessments.
“This is in addition to sustained performance in processing containment applications, which are often for agrichemical field trials, with 25 lodged and 25 decided this year.”
Time will be required to train the team and bring new staff up to speed, Chris said.
“For agrichemicals that contain active ingredients new to New Zealand, we are required to follow a rigorous assessment process, which includes identifying both the
risks and opportunities, and considering our unique environment and culture.
“These are typically the most complex and resource-heavy assessments we undertake and they often require public consultation.
“We hope to see a material impact on the hazardous substance applications queue in about 12 to 18 months after the new staff are recruited.”
• Over 140 new listings
• 160 deleted products
• 100 existing labels updated (new weed, pest & disease claims) Plus the latest regulatory amendments
Kubota’s VT1100 Turbo-Max and HT1100 Terra-Max redefine soil preparation
Farming is a balance between efficiency, productivity, and maintaining soil health, and Kubota’s latest distributed tillage solutions, the VT1100 Turbo-Max and HT1100 Terra-Max, offer a refined approach to soil preparation.
These advanced machines are designed to optimise seedbed conditions, manage residue effectively, and enhance overall field performance, meeting the evolving demands of modern agriculture.
The VT1100 Turbo-Max builds upon the legacy of Great Plains vertical tillage by incorporating additional features to improve yield potential and agronomic benefits. Available in two working widths of 6 and 7.5 metres, it retains the proven 7.5-inch blade spacing, a 0° to 6° adjustable gang angle, and true vertical-cutting 20-inch Turbo coulters. . The machine’s robust new frame design accommodates heavier transport axles and tyres while supporting a range of finishing attachments for tailored field conditions. It is a multi-season solution, equally adept at seedbed preparation and residue management.
The VT1100 Turbo-Max offers a new 3-metre narrow transport model, providing greater accessibility and ease of transport. The VT1100 delivers a true vertical tillage approach, with offset front and rear gangs achieving an effective residue cutting width of 95mm at a 0° setting. This ensures even soil distribution and minimal compaction, promoting healthy root growth and improved soil structure.
The hydraulically adjustable gang angle is a key feature, allowing operators to change settings on the move. Heavy-duty ductile cast spools add weight to the gangs, ensuring consistent soil engagement and durability. The new frame design, inspired by the HT1100 Terra-Max, improves strength and stability while supporting additional finishing attachments to refine soil texture further.
The VT1100 also offers customisable finishing options, Double finishing reels help break up clods and smooth the soil’s surface, double reels are a factory option designed for heavier soils with higher moisture content and will be standard on Australian and New Zealand models. Operators can choose between flat or round bars, depending on the level of aggressiveness needed for breaking down clods or working in rocky conditions. Additional rolling spike harrows or new chopper reels further enhance residue management, preventing plugging and wrapping in tough conditions such as maize stalks or potato vines.
The HT1100 Terra-Max is a hybrid tillage tool that offers exceptional versatility, accommodating a range of field conditions and seasonal requirements. The Terra-Max moves seamlessly between vertical and conventional tillage, making it effective in both spring and autumn applications. It addresses critical agronomic needs such as residue sizing, soil levelling, and creating a seedbed-friendly finish, all while maintaining soil integrity.
One of the defining features of the TerraMax is its TurboSpeed blade, which combines elements of the Turbo-Max Turbo blade and the SpeedBlade used on the Great Plains Velocity disc cultivator. This hybrid design enhances soil penetration and breakout at higher operating speeds, ensuring consistent tillage results. The rolling spike harrow layout is engineered in a V-pattern, improving residue incorporation and soil levelling for a more uniform seedbed
Variable intensity tillage is a key benefit of the Terra-Max, with hydraulically adjustable front and rear coulter gangs allowing for precise control over soil engagement. The front gangs adjust from 0 to 8 degrees, while
The VT1100 delivers a true vertical tillage approach, with offset front and rear gangs achieving an effective residue cutting width of 95mm at a 0° setting.
the rear gangs adjust proportionally from 0 to 6 degrees.
This flexibility enables farmers to fine-tune their tillage strategy based on field conditions and weather patterns. The machine also features virtually maintenance-free bearings, with 7-lip seals that lock in grease and prevent contamination, ensuring long-term reliability and reduced downtime.
Both the VT1100 Turbo-Max and HT1100 Terra-Max exemplify Kubota’s commitment to delivering innovative tillage solutions that enhance field productivity. By integrating advanced features such as, variable gang angles, and customisable finishing attachments, these machines offer farmers greater control over soil preparation and residue management. Their adaptability to diverse soil types and weather conditions ensures that farmers can achieve optimal agronomic results throughout the year.
The VT1100 also offers customisable finishing options.
FarmShop mowing to market leadership
FarmShop, a 100% New Zealand family-owned and operated business, is celebrating a decade of success while maintaining the largest machinery yard in Northland.
Committed to supporting the rural community, FarmShop continues to import farm machinery directly from the factory to the farm, ensuring cost-effective solutions with a customer-first approach.
In partnership with European mower manufacturer SaMASZ, FarmShop has set its sights on becoming New Zealand’s leading provider of hay mowers by 2027. This ambitious goal presents an opportunity for Kiwi farmers and contractors to access high-performing mowers at competitive prices. SaMASZ Regional Export Director, Lukasz Lapinski, emphasised the company's commitment to the New Zealand market, noting its strong growth potential. He highlighted that feedback from local farmers has directly influenced machine modifications, such as improved spring holder pins and redesigned conditioner tine mounts, demonstrating a willingness to adapt to real-world farming conditions.
To achieve market leadership, FarmShop is offering a strong lineup of equipment. SaMASZ, a global leader in mower production with a presence in over 70 countries and more than 160,000 mowers manufactured since 1984, continues to refine its products. In 2024, the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of research and development to improve mower efficiency, ensure cleaner swaths, and reduce labour costs. To support this innovation, SaMASZ recently opened a state-of-the-art 4,000sqm warehouse and laser-cutting hall, enhancing the automation of steel processing.
Further demonstrating its commitment to quality, SaMASZ introduced a new black and green colourway for its mowers in late 2024. This change is more than cosmetic—the
advanced painting process involves a zinc phosphate surface preparation and E-Coat technology. This fully automated coating method ensures comprehensive protection of even the most complex components, offering superior resistance to corrosion, weather conditions and chemicals. A well-equipped laboratory monitors the entire coating process, ensuring long-term durability, an essential factor for New Zealand farmers who frequently store machinery outdoors.
The past year saw the launch of several new SaMASZ mower models, incorporating innovative design improvements. Gary Graham from GJ Graham Contracting reflected positively on his experience with SaMASZ equipment, noting a trouble-free season with both front and rear mowers performing reliably over multiple years. To celebrate the success of 2024, FarmShop held a giveaway for a Can-Am Defender worth $31,500. Customers who purchased SaMASZ grouper mowers were entered into the draw, with the prize ultimately going to Multi Ag in Waimate. Multi Ag replaced their previous SIP mowers with a 9.4m SaMASZ grouper mower and a 3.4m SaMASZ front mower, further cementing the brand’s reputation in the field.
To celebrate the success of 2024, FarmShop held a giveaway for a CanAm Defender worth $31,500.
Looking ahead, SaMASZ continues to refine its offerings for the 2025 season, reinforcing FarmShop’s standing in the New Zealand market. The introduction of the 3.5m XT350 S rear mower with a conditioner brings enhanced functionality. Designed for ease of use, its hydro-pneumatic pressure relief system allows for ground pressure adjustments from the tractor cab, ensuring consistent cutting across varying terrain. Central suspension balances weight distribution for optimal ground adaptation, while a 125° transport position improves stability and rear visibility. The PerfectCUT cutterbar, with its robust welded design and quick knife replacement system, minimises downtime, and a hydraulic safety breakaway mechanism protects against obstacles.
The KDD STH 9.1m and 9.4m models now come with full ISOBUS compatibility, allowing seamless communication with ISOBUS-equipped tractors. These models, known for their efficiency, feature a conveyor belt system that consolidates swaths from three mowers, eliminating the need for additional raking. The independently managed hydraulic unit allows precise conveyor speed adjustments, improving the drying process of mowed material. The tine conditioner, covering the full cutterbar width, offers quick intensity adjustments, swath customisation, and a two-step gearbox for conditioning control.
For farmers considering an upgrade, FarmShop offers a trade-in programme, providing valuations on working disc mowers within two hours and offering up to $15,000 in trade-in value. Farmers can explore the latest innovations by visiting FarmShop and SaMASZ at upcoming field days: Central District Field Days (13–15 March), and Kirwee Field Days (26–28 March).
THE WORKING MACHINE MADE FOR YOU!
Whatever your needs, Valtra has the working machine – made for you! Whether it’s the compact tractor that packs a powerful punch – the mighty little A Series, the gutsy all-rounder ready for any job – the G Series, the capable and award-winning N Series, the brains, brawn and beauty of the T Series, the smart and powerful Q Series, all the way through to the big new farm boss – the powerful and reliable S6, there’s a Valtra with your name on it!
Valtra tractors combine versatile features and innovative technology, with outstanding comfort in every model across the range. As a Valtra owner, you benefit from a reliable, high-quality tractor, that has been tailored to meet the needs of your farm or contracting business. Put simply, Valtra has the working machine – made for you!
TALK TO YOUR VALTRA DEALER FOR MORE INFO TODAY.
Co-creation with the IoT and agriculture: solving agricultural issues with soil sensors
The ability to understand soil conditions is fundamental to stable crop production, yet traditional methods of measurement have often fallen short.
Yuichi Ikoma, representative director of Terrace Mile, and Kouki Watanabe, responsible for customer success, have been working to change this by incorporating Murata Manufacturing’s soil sensors into their agricultural data analysis service.
For some time, Terrace Mile has used sensors to gather environmental data from fields, but these only provided insights into conditions above the soil, such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight hours. "It is said that 20% to 30% of the factors affecting crop growth are above the soil, while 70% to 80% are below it,” Yuichi explained. "To truly stabilise yields, we need precise data on soil conditions.”
Attempts to measure soil conditions through conventional means, such as inserting iron plates or collecting soil samples, proved inadequate. These methods lacked accuracy, offered only limited sampling, and did not allow for continuous data collection. "We couldn’t track key factors like soil moisture in real-time,” Yuichi said. It was at an event in Fukuoka Prefecture in 2017 that he first encountered Murata’s soil sensors, realising they could offer the precise and continuous measurements that had been missing.
However, early adoption was not without its challenges. "The soil environment varies by field, with differences in root placement and irrigation,” Kouki said. "Initially, some sensors failed to provide accurate readings because they weren’t making firm contact
The impact on farming practices has been significant. Farmers now check sensor data regularly on a smartphone app throughout the cultivation period.
with the soil.” Murata’s engineers worked closely with farmers, providing guidance on installation, which enabled the collection of reliable data from an early stage.
Murata’s technical team also supported users in understanding and utilising the data. "Their engineers attended our workshops alongside prefectural representatives, agricultural co-operatives, and producers,” Kouki explained. "They provided practical training on data comparison and interpretation, allowing us to move beyond collection to deeper analysis.”
This collaborative approach meant that data analysis could be applied to farm management, helping farmers optimise practices such as irrigation and ventilation.
For Yuichi, Murata’s soil sensors represented a turning point. "Understanding soil conditions is like giving plants a voice,” he said. "The precision of these sensors allows us to listen to that voice in ways that were previously impossible. Just by inserting them into the soil, we can gather crucial data. This technology was revolutionary for us.”
Beyond the technology itself, Murata’s team impressed with their responsiveness. "Their engineers listen to farmers and instructors, offering clear explanations and prompt answers to questions,” Yuichi said. "Their passion for the technology is evident in the speed and depth of their support.”
The collaboration between Terrace Mile and Murata has resulted in a synergy of expertise. "We specialise in analysis and software, while Murata provides highly precise and user-friendly sensors,” Yuichi said. "Even when looking at the same data, our perspectives differ. Murata’s engineers identify anomalies we might overlook, pushing us to question data reliability and refine our approach.” This exchange of knowledge has led to more comprehensive insights, benefiting both companies and the farmers they support.
One concern was whether farmers would resist digital tools for data collection and
analysis. "We did worry about that initially,” Yuichi admitted. "But once they saw the benefits of monitoring soil conditions via digital devices, they became eager for even more detailed analysis.”
The impact on farming practices has been significant. "Farmers now check sensor data regularly on a smartphone app throughout the cultivation period," Yuichi said. "They adjust irrigation and ventilation based on real-time data, which has led to tangible improvements in yield and efficiency. More importantly, it has changed their mindset.” Looking ahead, the partnership continues to evolve. "Agricultural results are judged at harvest, which happens just once a year," Yuichi said. "That means long-term collaboration is essential to truly measure progress. At Terrace Mile, we are now testing trend prediction technology, which forecasts field conditions. Murata’s sensors are critical to making this a reality. We look forward to growing our businesses together with a strong partnership.”
Yuichi also sees a broader role for their work in addressing global agricultural challenges. "The decline and ageing of agricultural workers is a global issue. We need to build a system where production and consumption are better aligned. Data is key to designing this system, and that’s where Murata’s soil sensors are indispensable.” Beyond improving yields, Yuichi sees the potential for their technology to support food production in regions facing shortages. "If we can apply our knowledge from Japan to overseas markets, then we must,” he said. "Visualising soil conditions through data and providing guidance on what can be grown where will lead to better harvests. I am convinced that high-precision soil sensors are the most critical tool in achieving this.”
The collaboration between Terrace Mile and Murata has resulted in a synergy of expertise.
Advanced steering system improves accuracy and simplifies field operations
Claas CEMIS 1200, a new generation steering system designed to deliver advanced precision farming solutions to farmers globally.
With improved accuracy and user-friendly features, the CEMIS 1200 simplifies field operations for farms of all sizes.
The new functions and features of the CEMIS 1200 Universal Terminal provide the ability to define multiple reference tracks and field segments using field boundaries, marking a significant gain in convenience, especially during cultivating and drilling. Furthermore, tramlines can now be flagged with colour and acoustic signals and master data can be created and processed directly on the terminal.
The CEMIS 1200 offers +/- 15cm accuracy with SATCOR 15 as standard, with optional SATCOR 3 offering +/- 3cm accuracy or RTK ready, ensuring precise navigation for efficient fieldwork. This SATCOR 15 comes standard with five years of use, providing long-term reliability and cost savings for farmers.
By reducing overlaps and missed areas during field operations, the system
helps improve productivity and resource efficiency.
Complementing the CEMIS 1200 is the CEMIS terminal, which offers a similar user experience for smooth and intuitive operation. Both systems are designed to be easy to use, allowing farmers to adopt and integrate them effortlessly into their daily routines.
A standout feature of the CEMIS 1200 is its ISOBUS functionality, which ensures compatibility with all ISOBUS-ready implements.
This plug-and-play capability eliminates complications, allowing farmers to connect and operate implements seamlessly with the steering system. Whether working with planting, tillage, or harvesting tools, the system streamlines operations across the board.
Claas recently introduced Claas Connect creating the basis for virtually connecting all key elements of your farm. The powerful interface provides instant access to performance data, service information and the location of your machines.
The digital platform from Claas is the key to managing your farm and fleet efficiently and streamlining your business.
Connect your tractor, automate your documentation and boost your performance in the field. You can find out more information about registering for Claas Connect here: www.claasharvestcentre.com/digitalsolutions/.
Heading-off one of autumn pastures’ biggest threats at the pass
BioGro certified Ironmax Pro® - and good planning - stop slugs
For crop establishment, autumn is one of New Zealand’s weather sweet spots. The soil temperatures are generally still warm enough to get a good strike, while less sun intensity and increased moisture reduce the risk of seedlings being burned-off.
Or, that’s the theory.
But, as you’ll be aware, there’s a bit more to it than that.
Autumn-sown pasture is an investment in the next three to five years for farmers, so getting it established well is vital. One of the challenges is slug damage.
Ash Pace, UPL NZ Ltd. Regional Manager, Central South Island, says if there’s not an effective slug programme in place, even before the crop is planted, the investment in seed and labour could be money wasted.
“Most people will spray out or double spray-out an existing crop when they’re re-grassing, starting late summer. You only really get one chance at planting, so you need a result or that’s a paddock, and time, lost.”
Ash says while there’s a general understanding of the level of damage slugs can wreak on seedlings, “people have a lot on their plate and can get a bit casual”.
“A young seedling is only a couple of bites for a slug, and they’re phenomenal feederscapable of consuming more than 50% of their own body weight. Compare that to 2%-4% of body weight daily for sheep and cattle.”
Grey field slugs (Deroceras reticulatum) and their close relation brown field slugs (Deroceras invadens), which flourish in New Zealand, have the potential to wipe out entire crops. Slug populations typically peak in autumn and spring.
Ash says if the crop doesn’t have a robust protection programme, damage to crops can happen surprisingly quickly. “And there’re few things in this industry more souldestroying than looking over a really patchy crop.
“If you’re re-grassing, you’re likely to be spraying out six weeks or so before sowing, with a follow-up spray two weeks out, to get any weeds that have re-grown. That’s also when slug monitoring should start for slugs which may be there from the previous crop. Use either a slug mat or some people prefer a large ‘pet’ rock which they put to the side of the paddock. Either way, they have to be checked regularly.
“When you’ve got an idea of the slug pressure, you can make a plan. Even one or two slugs can indicate an issue. It’s the old ‘tip of the iceberg' story.”
Ash says ‘pre-baiting’ just after the first spray off will reduce the adult population.
He warns that slug eggs take just 10-14 days to hatch in favourable warm and moist conditions. It’s the eggs that will catch you out. You can get a sudden population explosion.”
Slugs can live for up to 13 months and produce 300-500 eggs.
“The eggs are really difficult to detect - they are translucent and look a lot like frog’s spawn. We can’t kill the eggs but we can kill the hatchlings.
“Before emergence, you’d put down a second application of bait. Pastures with clover need extra monitoring because those plants are slower to establish.”
World experts in molluscicides, French company De Sangosse manufacturers a slug bait that is as efficacious as its longtime market leading product, Metarex® Inov but gentler on the environment. Ash says Ironmax Pro® is BioGro certified, so it offers the best of both worlds – and, increasingly, people seeing real value in that. “It’s part of looking after yourself, and your staff.
“Farmers also now understand that BioGro certification no longer means chemistry is necessarily ‘soft’ – in terms of efficacy. With Ironmax Pro, you’re getting equal or better response. It’s not a compromise, it’s the best of both worlds.”
IPM-friendly, Ironmax Pro is proven to have limited impact on beneficials including earthworms, and the slug predator carabid beetle. It’s also safer around stock (if you get the odd break out, or a gate is accidentally left open).
Edibility is a key factor to how effective a bait will be. With Ironmax Pro its high palatability is the result of clever science and exhaustive research. Its Colzactive® technology, created by the De Sangosse R & D team, comprises specially selected oil
seed rape extracts. The team evaluated 20 different plant species, eventually identifying 50 potential molecules, which were very attractive to slugs, and ultimately selecting two molecules slugs found irresistible. Research shows slugs actively prefer feeding on Ironmax Pro to feeding on seedlings.
The baits are also manufactured using the finest durum wheat, which ensures slugs ingest sufficient quantities of the active to cause death. At the same time, they don’t overeat, leaving enough for other slugs. It sounds like a given, but Ironmax Pro is very rainfast, so it continues to perform in the damp conditions that the slugs thrive in. And with autumn weather being notoriously unpredictable, Ash says that’s a significant advantage. “Some other baits will just dissolve.”
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 snails and is fatal once ingested.
“And, it’s not like old-school coated baits, where there’s just a lick of active on the outside: with Ironmax Pro, it goes all the way through. Not a bite is wasted.”
Ash says another advantage of Ironmax Pro is its consistent shape. “Spread is really reliable. In contrast, coated bait is irregular in shape. That means that, potentially, the spread can be too.”
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.
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Maximising efficiency and sustainability in farming with the Kverneland iXtra LiFe
Farming today is about more than just tending to crops and livestock; it is about making strategic decisions that drive productivity and profitability. With an ever-growing focus on sustainability, precision farming, and efficiency, the right tools can make all the difference. The Kverneland iXtra LiFe front tank is a solution that enhances efficiency in row crop fertilisation, offering farmers greater precision, reduced waste, and a smarter approach to nutrient management.
Efficient spraying is critical for securing both yield and quality while ensuring environmental protection. Precision application of fertiliser plays a major role in this process, allowing farmers to optimise input usage and ensure crops receive the best possible care. The iXtra LiFe front tank takes this a step further by integrating seamlessly with existing farm equipment, offering a versatile and cost-effective approach to liquid fertilisation.
A key advantage of the iXtra LiFe is its ability to function independently or in combination with other implements such as seeders, planters, hoes and cultivators.
“A big advantage of the iXtra LiFe front tank is that we can operate and control the iXtra LiFe and the seeders (Monopill and Optima seeding machines) via the same screen and terminal, the IsoMatch Tellus,” says Arjan Breure, a contractor from the Netherlands. “They are also connected to each other, making it easy to switch sections of the rows
at the headland, in tramlines, and in wedgeshaped fields to avoid overlap.”
With a maximum capacity of 1,300 litres, the iXtra LiFe ensures efficient application without excessive refills, while its balanced design maintains even weight distribution. The 65-litre clean water tanks on either side contribute to improved stability and ease of use. “The ISOBUS compatibility makes it possible to change from the Monopill seeder to the Optima seeder very quickly. By plugging in the IsoMatch Tellus, all data from the seeder is immediately available on one screen, avoiding any mistakes regarding working widths, row distance, and other issues,” Arjan explains.
Ease of use is a defining feature of the iXtra LiFe. Unlike traditional front tanks, it does not require a PTO shaft for operation, thanks
A key advantage of the iXtra LiFe is its ability to function independently or in combination with other implements.
to its hydraulic-driven pump. This allows for quick and effortless hitching, with plugand-play functionality facilitated by ISOBUS technology. Parking wheels further enhance convenience, allowing for easy storage and handling when the unit is not in use. Technology plays a significant role in modern farming, and the iXtra LiFe is designed to integrate with digital farm management systems. With up to 18 individual sections, it enables precise row switching without overlap, ensuring that fertiliser application is as accurate as possible. The integration of IsoMatch Tellus with IsoMatch Geocontrol takes precision to another level by automating row-by-row control via GPS. This not only optimises efficiency but also enhances driver comfort by reducing manual adjustments.
One of the standout features of the iXtra LiFe is its built-in iXclean® system, which ensures efficient agitation and cleaning. This smart technology optimises both filling and cleaning processes, even when the tank still contains liquid. The benefits are clear: accurate application, minimised waste, and a more sustainable approach to fertilisation. Row fertilisation is a highly efficient method of applying nutrients directly to the root zone, leading to better absorption and less environmental impact. By combining
One of the standout features of the iXtra LiFe is its built-in iXclean® system, which ensures efficient agitation and cleaning.
For farmers looking to future-proof their operations, the iXtra LiFe provides an intelligent and adaptable solution.
seeding and fertilisation into a single pass, the iXtra LiFe reduces soil compaction, saves time, and increases efficiency.
“Due to the innovative technology from Kverneland, we are able as a contractor, by using the iXtra LiFe front tank and the seeders, to make better use of the minerals in the root zone of the soil by applying them in the row during seeding,” Arjan adds. “At the same time, we are taking better care of the environment by saving fertiliser and minerals.”
Sustainability is at the heart of the iXtra LiFe’s design. The system allows farmers to use lower fertiliser rates without compromising yield, creating space in fertilisation plans for additional organic matter. This contributes to improved soil health, increased organic content, and overall better fertility in the long run.
Kverneland’s IsoMatch Geocontrol further enhances the benefits of the iXtra LiFe by automating section control and variable rate application. This means that fertiliser and seed application rates are adjusted based on field conditions, reducing input costs while ensuring optimal growth conditions. The technology also offers documentation capabilities, allowing farmers to track
farm management systems. With savings of 5-10% on fertiliser and pesticides, the costeffectiveness of this system is clear.
For farmers looking to future-proof their operations, the iXtra LiFe provides an intelligent and adaptable solution. It offers flexibility by working alongside a variety of machines, including inner-row cultivators and mechanical weeding systems. The combination of digital precision, ease of use, and sustainable application methods makes it a valuable asset for modern farms.
and equipment like the iXtra LiFe ensures that farmers can maximise efficiency while reducing waste and environmental impact. By integrating seamlessly with existing technology, automating key processes, and delivering a smarter approach to fertilisation, the iXtra LiFe is setting a new standard for effective crop management. With an emphasis on innovation, sustainability and profitability, Kverneland continues to provide solutions that empower farmers to grow stronger crops
MAXIMISE THE GROWTH ON YOUR LAND
The All-New Deutz-Fahr 6C
Reinforcing Deutz-Fahr’s core product offering and diverse range is the all-new Series 6C. In designing and developing this new product offering, Deutz-Fahr wanted to create a product that could be configured in a number of variants, targeting the diverse applications and customer requirements of a tractor of this size.
The new 6C range spans 115 – 135 hp and is the latest product to feature in their everexpanding mid-range line-up. This model sits above New Zealand’s current 5 Series product offering, as a heavier duty 4 cylinder tractor with a range of new features and functions. All main componentry for this product range are fabricated in house by DeutzFahr. This includes axles, transmissions, engines, cabins and attachments such as the optional front linkage. This is a direct result of Deutz-Fahr’s direction in moving away from outsourced component production for this range. The new approach by Deutz-Fahr has the added benefit of applying rigorous quality control standards in the design and fabrication of these components. Available in three transmission configurations, the 6C offers customers versatility and choice for a vast range of applications.
Powershift transmission: 4 Range – 5 Gear –3 stage Powershift
The Deutz-Fahr 3 stage Powershift which is familiar to many Deutz-Fahr owners provides a highly user friendly 30X30 or 60X60 transmission (with creeper gearbox fitted). This particular gearbox has a broad range of gears making it well suited for a range of tasks on-farm. Due to the significant volume of gear ratios available, operators have the ability to match the exacting speed required and then utilise the Powershift gears to vary their forward/reverse speed. This reduces
the need to be changing from mechanical gear ratios in field applications. An APS – auto Powershift feature can also be utilised to vary the forward speed based on engine load.
All New RV Shift transmission: 20X16 Powershift
The 6C is the first tractor to receive the all-new RV transmission by Deutz-Fahr. The RV transmission is a highly efficient 20X16 full Powershift concept. Torque delivery is uninterrupted via a clutchless full 20 speed forward and 16-speed reverse gearbox. Operation of this new transmission is via a new 3-way joystick located on a multifunction armrest mounted on the driver’s seat. Pushing it forward, the transmission performs an up-shift while a downshift is carried out when it is pulled backwards. For added convenience, the current speed can be stored and enabled, with a simple push of the RV shift controller to the left. For a quick switch between a fast transport application and fieldwork, the RVshift transmission features two driving modes (Field and Transport). With a simple push of a button, which is located close to the RVshift controller, it is possible to switch from one mode to the other without having to shift through all the gears. The modes are preprogrammed from the factory but also easily adjustable according to individual needs. The driver can rely on the automation of the transmission in both field and transport work thanks to the automatic Powershift function (APS).
After activation via the APS button, the system shifts according to the gears programmed in the field or road driving mode. An additional highlight of the RVshift transmission is the new advanced Stop&Go system with features in addition also a Stop&Hold function, which keeps the tractor stationary until the accelerator is applied. For total safety when stopping and parking the machine, especially on gradients, the RVshift transmission includes the Hydraulic Parking Brake (HPB) as standard.
In addition to the standard 20X16 transmission, a creeper range is also available. When operating in the creeper range an infinitely variable speed between 20 M/h and 5 KM/H can be achieved eliminating the traditional issues that occur with gear ratios matching an implements operating speed.
TTV Transmission
The TTV transmission provides uniform and seamlessly smooth power in all conditions. The beauty of a Deutz-Fahr TTV model is the simplicity in operation. Via the tractor's three operating modes – manual, PTO and Auto, the operator has the ability to operate the tractor in a similar manner to a conventional mechanical transmission or alternatively utilise the vast features, functions and automation of the transmission. The TTV transmissions have the ability to travel at high road transport speeds whilst the engine runs at low rpm: a speed of 50 km/h is achieved with the engine running at less than 1.900 rpm. All versions come as standard with the Power Zero function which maximises safety and comfort even when working on the steepest gradients by holding the vehicle securely in a stationary position without requiring the operator to use the brake or clutch pedals. The TTV transmission is also equipped with the proven Power Shuttle, with five predefined responsiveness levels selectable by the user for the best results in varying work environments.
Many of the features and functions available on the new 6C variant have flowed down from Deutz-Fahr’s professional series range. This also includes the adoption of Agrosky and Deutz-Fahr’s integrated Connected Farming Systems package. The latest SR20 receiver operated through the tractors integrated steering system provides an accurate solution to auto guidance. Configured for Starpoint and Starpoint Pro correction sources, these solutions are not only cost effective but also accurate with up to 2.5 CM pass-to-pass accuracy. All receivers are upgradable to RTK, offering guaranteed repeatability and 2 CM passto-pass accuracy. The integrated iMonitor can be utilised as a universal terminal for ISOBUS applications. This terminal is also unlocked for section and rate control. Auto headland turns is also available on this
No-one’s better placed than Arxada to formulate a slug pellet to make the most of META. That pellet is AXCELA. AXCELA slug pellets are produced using a unique wet-extruded production process.
is evenly distributed throughout each pellet
® AXCELA slug pellets are better because they have an immediate effect on a slugs ability to feed. Put simply, they kill more slugs, more quickly.
Power Farming expands precision ag offering with Topcon partnership
Topcon Agriculture has announced a strategic distribution agreement with Power Farming New Zealand. Power Farming New Zealand import and distribute a comprehensive range of tractors and machinery which are distributed throughout their own dealer network. Brands include, Deutz-Fahr, JCB, Kioti, McHale and Kverneland as well as a number of other strong brands within the New Zealand marketplace.
Power Farming is part of PFG Global, which includes Deutz-Fahr distribution in America and Australia. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in bringing Topcon’s innovative after-market solutions to a broader audience of farmers through Power Farming New Zealand’s extensive dealer network.
Whilst Power Farming have already been a supplier of Topcon steering solutions for their own brands, this agreement allows their dealers to extend Topcon’s comprehensive portfolio of after-market solutions tailored for precision agriculture to all customers throughout New Zealand, regardless of machine manufacturer. By making Topcon technologies available through Power Farming’s 21 dealers across New Zealand, farmers throughout New Zealand will have greater access to state-of-
the-art precision agriculture solutions.
Farmers can benefit from a range of solutions offered by Topcon, including GPSguided equipment, variable rate application technology, correction services, data-tocloud technology, and data management software. These technologies enable farmers to optimize inputs, increase yields, reduce costs, and improve overall farm management practices.
Topcon already have an OEM agreement with SDF (Same Deutz-Fahr) and Topcon’s technology can be found in several other brands throughout the Power Farming stable. This new agreement allows Power
Farming to further enhance the existing relationship, and adds more support, more training, and more market specific offerings for new and existing customers of Topcon and Power Farming.
This announcement aligns with the growing demand for advanced technology solutions in agriculture to address challenges such as increasing productivity, resource optimization and sustainability, and underscores Topcon and Power Farming New Zealand’s commitment to meeting these market needs by providing farmers with access to cutting-edge precision agriculture solutions.
model providing hands free automation in field when turning on headlands.
With the new SDF Fleet Management application, SDF offers customisable solutions for the real-time management of key data concerning the operation of the machine. The SDF Fleet Management suite of applications is the centralised control interface for analysing telemetry data from DEUTZ-FAHR machines. Tractor data is transmitted in real time over a mobile internet connection to the application, which allows users to analyse, monitor and even optimise the use of their machinery. The ‘map' view shows the location and status of machines or an entire fleet, and can also display historical data. Thanks to the Remote Support application, dealers can easily access the iMonitor3 to assist in tractor setup/operation.
Demand for high flow hydraulics and energy saving initiatives have resulted in the fitment of a 120 l/min CCLS hydraulic pump from the larger Deutz-Fahr 6-cylinder products. Paired with a front-end loader, this provides
fast accurate loader response times whilst providing a platform to operate implements with significant hydraulic requirements. Up to five pairs of rear remotes are available in conjunction with a combination of electronic and mechanical control. All 6C tractors have a supplementary 40 L/min pump and optional 29 l/min additional pump dedicated to the hydraulic steering system and operation of auxiliary utilities such as Easy steer and integrated steering system for GPS guidance. Operator comfort is a major consideration in the design and development of the new 6C model. A 4-post cabin provides unobstructed views in all angles whilst single piece doors provide clean access into the cabin. Highlights to the 6C cabin include an all new multifunction armrest that accommodates main operator controls, a new dashboard with information centre screen for programming/operation of the tractor, and additional functional features such as USB sockets, optional cooling box and storage compartments. As an option, all models of the new 6C Series are available with a
front axle suspension system. Complete with double acting hydraulic cylinders for effective self-levelling, and together with the mechanical cab suspension, this feature substantially improves driver comfort both in the field and on the road.
Operator safety has always been a feature associated with the Deutz-Fahr product range. Developed entirely in-house, the front axles are designed and built to maximise traction and safety in all conditions with, for example, electrohydraulic engagement of 4WD and differential locks. These two functions can also be automated on machines equipped with ASM. As an option, all models of the new 6C Series boast true all-wheel braking, with disc brakes on all four wheels, for superior safety especially when driving on roads in hilly undulating terrain or at high speed.
The all new 6C RV model will be making its New Zealand debut at Central Districts and Kirwee Fieldays in March. For more information contact your local Power Farming dealer.
The slug solution
Slugs continue to plague the industry as a major pest through the early establishment phase of newly sown crops. A slug bait is required to mitigate the risk of slugs attacking the crop; however not all slug baits are built the same.
Axcela®, developed by Arxada, stands out from the rest, manufactured via a unique wet-extrusion and gelatinised process in a dedicated, state of the art plant in Switzerland. Axcela combines the advantages of a specific mode of action with Meta® Metaldehyde as the active ingredient, combined with the latest formulation and production techniques - resulting in a pellet with the highest qualities, optimising slug and snail control under a wide range of growing conditions.
The process by which the Axcela pellet is produced means it is uniform in shape and size and has a strong integrity for spreading, delivering enhanced ballistic capabilities, retaining its characteristics into the field. The active ingredient is evenly distributed through the entirety of the pellet, meaning the active is present for the duration that the pellets are present in-field. Aiding longevity, the gelatinisation process carried out during manufacturing enables the pallet to absorb water rapidly and increases palatability for slugs leading to
improved control. The Axcela formulation also results in extended persistence on the paddock and, therefore, can broaden the application windows, if not consumed by slugs, during less favourable conditions.
Reducing the risk of slug damage is not as simple as just applying a slug bait. Getting the best out of Axcela starts with knowing what your slug pressure is. Slugs feed at night under cool conditions, living out the warmer days in cracks in the ground or under foliage, dead plant matter or animal excrement. They like moist conditions and thrive after rain or dew, laying eggs and eating young crop foliage. Direct drilling techniques increases the risk of slug damage, as they can live and travel along the drill rows created by the machinery. Full cultivation methods, where a fine and even seed bed is prepared, does not eliminate the total risk of slugs as they are able to venture in from the surrounding, uncultivated areas. But what it does do, is bring slugs and their eggs to the surface where they are naturally dehydrated and subsequently die.
Monitoring your slug pressure post drilling is as simple as laying out old seed bags or planks of wood overnight and checking them in the morning for the presence of slugs underneath, as this creates a favourable habitat for them to harbour. Once a population is determined, to get the best out of Axcela, apply during mild, damp weather when slugs are the most active, when they are seeking food and likely to encounter a bait. Ensuring your equipment is calibrated for optimum performance, Axcela is applied at 5-7kg per hectare, depending on slug pressure. Follow-up applications may be required in the event of a wet season, or when slug pressure is particularly high. For optimal results, 60 baiting points per
BLUE PRINT
META is evenly distributed throughout each pellet.
square meter is where the most success for control will be seen; this is achieved with 7kg per hectare of Axcela.
Some additional benefits to using Axcela for controlling slug populations is that it has no negative effect on beneficial organisms, including earthworms and bees. Axcela is also a vivid blue colour, meaning it is easily detected in the field so you can monitor its ongoing activity and longevity.
For more information about Axcela, visit their website https://arxada.co.nz/specialty/ axcela or contact one of our Arxada territory managers throughout New Zealand.
With all the different camera options -what's the best choice for my property?
Safeguarding assets, tanks, vats, tools and homes for every rural property and farm in New Zealand is now essential. You no longer can leave this to chance. But with modern technology paving the way for innovative security solutions, understanding the array of options available can be both exciting and daunting. From the flexibility of the 4G solar camera to the precision of license plate recognition systems, choosing the right security camera for your rural property involves evaluating a blend of connectivity options, installation ease, and specific applications.
Whether you are looking to enhance peace of mind or establish a robust evidence collection system, this guide will walk you through the pros and cons of various security cameras, empowering you to make informed decisions with cuttingedge farm security solutions for your rural property.
Specialized surveillance solutions:
License plate recognition technology
License plate recognition (LPR) technology offers a specialized solution for rural properties needing advanced security measures at entry points. This technology automatically captures and processes vehicle license plates, providing invaluable data for monitoring and tracking vehicles entering or leaving the premises. LPR systems are particularly beneficial for farm gates, driveways, businesses, poultry operations and community entrances, where controlling access is paramount.
One significant advantage of LPR technology is its ability to work seamlessly with mobile
apps, such as the Farmgate app using snapshot technology.
This integration allows property owners to receive real-time notifications about unauthorized vehicles, including plate reads and vehicle images plus alerts for stolen vehicle plates. It enhances evidence collection and bolsters community crime prevention efforts.
While LPR systems require a higher initial investment and professional installation, their ability to provide targeted security makes them an essential component for comprehensive rural security strategies.
The premium LPR solution by Farmgate, for example, provides snapshots of vehicles as opposed to video recordings. This is ideal for remote locations where a constant and fixed internet source is not possible but rather a 4G SIM card can be used instead. LPR solutions are also great for deadend roads and communities where vehicle tracking and notification by plate would be more useful than video recording, ie you get notified when a new or unknown vehicle turns up.
• For those looking to enhance access control or monitor vehicles coming and going from a property, road or community LPR technology is a smart choice.
• Many communities now pool
funds together to make LPR community cameras a reality for their community.
Video surveillance for roadsides
Video surveillance for roadsides is a valuable tool for rural communities looking to enhance security along public and private thoroughfares. These systems typically use higher speced cameras and are designed to cover large areas, capturing high-quality video footage that can serve as both a deterrent and a source of evidence in the event of an incident. They are especially useful for monitoring traffic flow, identifying suspicious activities, and enhancing public safety.
The implementation of roadside video surveillance typically involves installing cameras at strategic locations like intersections, entrances, or along property boundaries. These cameras can be integrated with existing security networks, providing a comprehensive view of the area. Farmgate specializes in the rural market working with property owners and rural communities that don't have access to council resources for camera funding, installation and monitoring.
While the installation of roadside cameras may require more planning and investment,
the benefits of increased security and community safety are substantial. Additionally, advances in technology have made these systems more accessible and easier to manage, making them an increasingly popular choice for rural areas. Note that video recording will require a good internet connection and cabling back to a storage device.
• Video recording is ideal for rural communities and businesses where video evidence is deemed important but it may not be the best solution if high motion detection and recording is to occur.
• This will ultimately depend on your needs and who is going to access and manage the information once captured.
Evaluating your security needs
Selecting the right security solution for your rural property begins with a thorough evaluation of your specific needs and circumstances. Start by assessing the size and layout of your property, which will influence the number of cameras required and their optimal placement. Consider any vulnerable entry points, such as gates or driveways, and prioritize these areas for coverage. Do you have vulnerable areas like vats, diesel tanks and implement
sheds?
Next, determine your primary security goals. Are you aiming for general surveillance, specific area monitoring, or advanced features like license plate recognition and vehicle identification and tracking? Understanding these objectives will guide your choice between options like wired, wireless, 4G or internet-based cameras.
It's also crucial to evaluate your existing infrastructure, such as internet connectivity and power sources, to ensure compatibility with your chosen system. Do you have internet on site at your dairy shed or entrance, for example? Budget considerations, including initial investment and ongoing costs like data plans or maintenance, should also factor into your decision. By carefully evaluating these elements, you can choose a tailored security solution that aligns with your unique needs.
Different cameras have different specifications and your security expert will be able to recommend the right camera for you. Don't get too hung up on getting the best camera available with end-to-end-imaging such as 8K recording. This may work in some situations but is likely not required. Higher specs require higher performing systems to keep them operating and you may find that in many rural settings rural internet and connections won't handle this well, cause buffering issues or not record at all. But don't buy cheap. Spend once, spend well. Most cheap options you can buy from a retail store are designed for urban and residential areas and won't cut it for rural. Most will fail within a year or so.
• Keep it simple and practical as in most cases this will work well.
• With the options available today it doesn't have to be complicated.
Cost and installation considerations
When selecting a security system for your rural property, understanding the financial and practical aspects of installation is crucial. Initial costs can vary significantly based on the type of cameras and systems you choose—wired setups might require professional installation, increasing upfront costs, while
4G solar options could be more budget-friendly with simpler DIY installation but have monthly ongoing costs for data.
Installation ease is another important factor. Wired systems often demand more complex installations due to cabling requirements, whereas 4G solar cameras offer more flexibility and ease of setup. Evaluate your technical capabilities and willingness to hire professionals if necessary.
• Do you want to pay for an installation or can you get a simple solution and DIY install with phone support?
• Do you need something quick and urgently or can you wait a while before someone can come and install something for you?
• Balancing these considerations will help ensure you select a security solution that fits both your budget and your property's unique requirements.
Maximizing rural property security - a summary
To maximize security on your rural property, start with a simple approach. What can I do now to get started with improving my security? If you are ready to start the journey, just do it.
Use 4G solar cameras for remote areas without power or internet like your runoff, entrance or over your sheds and tanks. Use wired cameras for consistent high-quality footage near main buildings with an internet source like your dairy shed and house. A wireless bridge and data transfer kit can also be used to transfer internet from your house to shed if required.
A comprehensive solution covering entrances, sheds, tanks and the house can easily be designed by your security
expert. You are unlikely to regret spending that bit extra on a quality and comprehensive solution.
Incorporate specialized solutions like license plate recognition at entry points to monitor traffic and deter unauthorized access.
Complement these with license plate recognition or video surveillance along roadsides to keep track of activities in and around your property and for your community. Some of these solutions can be run with solar power setups if you can't easily get power to a site.
Also, don't forget to engage with your local community to share insights and strategies. By integrating diverse security measures and fostering community collaboration, you can create a robust community security solution that effectively safeguards your whole community against potential threats. Farmgate calls this their 'Rural Crime Reduction Strategy'.
• As mentioned, keep it simple and practical as it doesn't have to be complicated.
• Spend once, spend well and you'll have a system that will last for years.
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.
Cirrus trailed cultivator drill more than just sowing
The Cirrus trailed cultivator drill is a pneumatic seed drill characterised by its superb, precise working performance in conventional and mulch sowing.
With various models, in working widths from 3 to 6 metres and hopper sizes from 3,000 to 4,000 litres, the Cirrus offers maximum flexibility and manoeuvrability with any tractor due to the telescopic drawbar. The low pulling power requirement also makes it possible to use smaller tractors, and the convenient hose rail makes it easier to hitch up all the hydraulic and electronic connections.
Amazone Product Business Manager
Murray Tuck says Landpower | Claas Harvest Centre sales focus on the 4000 and 6000 models that work for medium to large scale cultivation. The 4003-2 and 2C models are just the right size for many medium-sized farmers and contractors, offering a fourmetre working width, larger hopper capacity, and narrow folded transport width. The Cirrus 6000 range, with a working width of 6 metres, has row spacing options of 125 to 167mm, perfect for large scale cultivation.
Cirrus machines operate with ISOBUS technology, enabling simple, central and convenient adjustment. Combined with the universal segmented distributor head, and precise calibration of the TwinTerminal, this ensures quick and reliable seed delivery. AutoPoint provides maximum precision determining the conveying time for different seed types from the metering unit to the sowing coulter, and water conserving operation is provided thanks to Minimum TillDisc. The Cirrus has an extensive selection
of pre-running tools – four different discs and several other pre-running elements, providing the right sowing coulter for every need. TheTwinTeC plus double disc coulter or RoTeC pro single disc coulter allows you to seed and fertilise with choice.
The Cirrus employs modern, comfortable maintenance concepts using quality material and safety concepts to minimise wear and tear. The compact transport dimensions allow for fast and safe road transport up to 40 km/h, slip-resistant, convenient walkways and extended maintenance and lubrication. The sturdy roller bearing mounts and knife attachments are distinctive and ensure a long service life. The knife fixings are recessed into the round tube on the roller. The enclosed roller core is extremely insensitive to stones and dirt contamination. The knife roller is absolutely maintenance-free as a result of the spherical roller bearings and the face seals. Reversible blades, sharpened on both sides, halve the wear costs.
Each hopper can be independently controlled. Available with single and twinchamber hopper options and one conveying system – single-shoot, or twin-chamber hoppers with a twin conveying system –double-shoot, or a twin-chamber hopper, and twin conveying system and GreenDrill – triple-shoot, they have a good line of sight in the field and on the road. The open single-chamber hopper has a capacity of 3,600 litres. Thanks to this large hopper, the re-fill times are kept to a minimum. A roll-over cover provides secure and rapid closure. This variant makes for a simple set-up which is suitable for sowing one type of seed.
The twin outlet pressurised hopper differs due to its divided hopper. Two different
materials can be metered from this split hopper. The flexibly usable hopper with a capacity of 4,000 litres can be used solely for seed or also in combination with fertiliser or different seed types. Steps ease climbing up and the safe loading platform with railing facilitates access to the seed hopper. The hopper can be easily filled from small bags and big bags or via a filling auger on a trailer or a loading shovel. The optional, hydraulically swivelable filling auger provides a convenient solution for quickly filling the Cirrus. Easy swivelling of the filling auger allows for convenient loading from a trailer. The filling auger can be combined with all other equipment and still allows for good visibility during manoeuvring, due to the arrangement of the auger on the left side.
In addition to the single-tip, open hopper version of the Cirrus, the Cirrus-C also offers a divided, twin outlet pressurised hopper and one conveying system. If, for instance, fertiliser is also to be applied along with the seed, the Cirrus-C, in working widths of 4 m to 6 m, offers the option of metering two different materials. Murray says these machines sow either a second crop or fertiliser directly with the seed into a seed row using the single-shoot method. The Cirrus-C has a hopper capacity of 4,000 l with a 60:40 split. All Cirrus Hoppers have good accessibility via the front ladder or lateral loading board, a favourable centre of gravity and narrow hopper for good all-round visibility, steep hopper walls for low residual volumes, and a quick-emptying device for fast seed changeover.
For more information: Claas Harvest Centre Product Business Manager – Murray Tuck, +61 438 038 745.
Innovation in cultivation: the future of strip-till, discs, and roller drills
In a sector where efficiency and reliability are paramount, 4AG has established itself as a leading provider of high-performance cultivation equipment tailored to New Zealand conditions.
At the forefront of this innovation is Darren Raikes, Product Specialist at 4AG, who has spent years ensuring that farmers and contractors have access to machinery that enhances productivity and durability in the field.
Darren has seen firsthand how shifting farming practices, soil conditions, and climatic challenges require constant adaptation in machinery design. "Our focus has always been on delivering robust, versatile equipment that meets the specific needs of New Zealand farmers. Every paddock is different, and we need to ensure our machines perform exceptionally across all conditions,” he explains.
One of the standout pieces in 4AG’s range is the Power-Strip rotary strip-till, designed to meet the demands of modern tillage. "The Power-Strip rotary strip-till has been developed with strength and efficiency in
mind. We worked closely with contractors to refine the design so that it delivers excellent residue incorporation, full cultivation of the strip, and an optimal seedbed finish,” says Darren. The unit’s strength lies in its durability, with a unique frame design that allows down pressure to be applied to the patented pivoting outer wing sections ensuring consistent depth of operation across varying soil types.
Another popular choice is the DVi 970 discs, engineered for high-speed cultivation without compromising on quality. "Farmers
"The
Power-Strip rotary striptill has been developed with strength and efficiency in mind."
are under increasing pressure to get their ground ready quickly without sacrificing soil structure. The DVi 970 discs deliver aggressive cutting action and mixes residue effectively, all while maintaining a consistent working depth. It’s a machine built for ease of operation,” Darren notes.
The Titan Roller drill is a standout addition
Buildings, sheds and food storage areas can attract large numbers of rodents, so ongoing effort is required to reduce trap or bait shyness. Our toolbox will guide you through how to manage pests across your buildings and storage areas.
to 4AG’s lineup, developed through years of collaboration between New Zealand contractors, European designers, and factory engineers. This combined expertise has produced one of the most robust and technically advanced roller drills available, designed to meet the demands of contractors and large-scale farming operations.
Darren notes that farmers have achieved exceptional results with the Titan Series drills by 4AG, particularly in challenging conditions. Its key advantage is the ability to cover large areas of ground quickly while maintaining excellent seed to soil contact, making it ideal for fodder crop and grass establishment. With a seed capacity of up to 800 litres, holding up to 14Ha or 350kg of grass seed, and a patented self-levelling seeder mounting system, it offers both efficiency and ease of use. Precision sowing is ensured through interchangeable seed rollers, allowing for accurate placement across a variety of seed types and sowing rates. A hydraulically driven fan delivers consistent airflow to 16 seed hoses, with smooth routing and no Y-junctions, ensuring even and precise distribution across the full working width. Radar ground metering provides hasslefree and accurate seed calibration, reducing downtime and optimising efficiency in the field. Designed with the operator in mind, all Titan units feature a safe and accessible loading platform with additional storage for seed bags. The centrally positioned hopper optimises the centre of gravity, enhancing stability, particularly when working on steep terrain. Operators also have the flexibility to choose from aggressive slicer boards, but mostly they are specced as a dedicated drill with 4AG’s own design of chain cover harrow system, both of which are hydraulically adjustable from the tractor cab. The Titan Series is now available with ISOBUS technology.
Darren emphasises that 4AG is not just about selling machinery but about ensuring that every piece of equipment genuinely enhances farm operations. “We take the time to understand what our customers need and ensure that they’re getting the best solution for their farming system. It’s not just about horsepower and steel—it’s about delivering real results in the paddock.”
The continuous evolution of farming practices has prompted 4AG to integrate new technology into its machinery. Precision and adaptability have become key factors, influencing the development of tools that help farmers achieve better results with fewer passes. "We’re always looking at ways to improve efficiency, whether it’s through better tine spacing, improved weight distribution, or enhanced wearing part longevity. Our goal is to ensure that farmers
4AG’s approach is deeply rooted in understanding the practical realities of farming.
get maximum value from their investment," says Darren.
4AG’s approach is deeply rooted in understanding the practical realities of farming. Every machine is tested extensively to ensure it meets the high expectations of farmers who rely on them daily. "We spend a lot of time in the field, working alongside farmers to get real-world feedback. This collaboration is crucial because it allows us to refine our designs based on what’s actually happening on the ground, not just in theory.”
The demand for sustainable farming practices is also shaping the way cultivation equipment is designed. Farmers are increasingly looking for ways to improve soil health while maintaining productivity. "Conservation tillage is gaining traction, and we’ve made sure our machines can be used in reduced tillage systems. Less soil disturbance helps retain moisture and organic matter, which ultimately benefits the long-term viability of the land,” Darren highlights.
Customer support is another cornerstone of 4AG’s philosophy. "We don’t just sell a machine and walk away. Our team is always available to provide advice, spare parts, and after-sales service. We want to make sure
farmers get the best performance out of their equipment for years to come," says Darren.
The robustness of 4AG machines means they are often passed down through generations, a testament to their longevity. "We’ve got customers who’ve been using the same 4AG gear for over a decade, and it’s still going strong. That’s what we strive for—machines that don’t just meet expectations but exceed them in durability and performance,” Darren adds. Looking ahead, Darren believes that ongoing innovation will be key to helping farmers meet the challenges of modern agriculture. "The demands on farmers are constantly changing, whether it’s due to economic pressures, climate variability, or new regulatory requirements. We’re committed to staying ahead of these changes and delivering equipment that not only meets current needs but is also futureproofed.”
"At the end of the day, it’s about giving farmers confidence in their machinery. When they know they can rely on their equipment, they can focus on what they do best—producing food for our communities and critical supply chains for major export earnings like Dairy & Meat.”
NATIONWIDE FOR YOUR LOCAL SALES, SERVICE & PARTS
KAITAIA Kaitaia Tractors 09 408 0670
WHANGAREI Piako Tractors Northland 09 438 1319
SILVERDALE Brandt NZ 09 427 9137
PUKEKOHE Brandt NZ 09 237 0043
MORRINSVILLE Piako Tractors 07 889 7055
MATAMATA Matamata Tractors & Machinery (07) 888 6292
HAMILTON Brandt NZ 07 847 0425
CAMBRIDGE Brandt NZ 07 827 5184
ROTORUA Piako Tractors Ltd 07 345 8560
TAUPO Taupo Tractors & Machinery 07 378 4533
STRATFORD FieldTorque Taranaki 06 765 8643
HASTINGS Stevenson and Taylor 0800 4273 2273
WAIPUKURAU Stevenson and Taylor 06 858 6041
DANNEVIRKE Lancaster Tractor Services 2022 Ltd 06 374 7731
PALMERSTON NORTH Transag Centre 06 354 7164
MASTERTON Brandt NZ 06 377 3009
NELSON Drummond & Etheridge 03 543 8041
BLENHEIM Drummond & Etheridge 03 579 1111
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ASHBURTON Drummond & Etheridge 03 307 9911
TIMARU Drummond & Etheridge 03 687 4005
OAMARU Drummond & Etheridge 03 437 1111
MOSGIEL JJ Limited 03 489 8199
GORE JJ Limited 03 208 9370
INVERCARGILL JJ Limited 03 211 0013
John Deere’s precision essentials to save dollars and drive tech adoption
John Deere customers now have the option to either buy all their precision agriculture (PA) technology upfront or select only the hardware and software elements that will be most valuable to their business.
The Precision Essentials program allows customers to save on the purchase of machinery by paying only for the Precision Agriculture technology that is most impactful for their unique farming operation. This approach ensures machines have the most up-to-date technology without requiring new equipment purchases, while also allowing farmers to retrofit legacy machines to meet modern requirements. Even those with equipment that is not John Deere can opt into Precision Essentials to introduce industry-leading technology to any machine.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Production and Precision Ag Marketing Manager, Royce Bell, explained that Precision Essentials was developed to make technology more affordable by lowering upfront costs, more accessible by allowing customers to select only the technology they need, and more adaptable by enabling farmers to scale up or down as their operation demands. The program fundamentally changes the way farmers view the feasibility of implementing PA technologies and how often they can upgrade to better systems. The goal is to support farmers, regardless of their farm size, crop, or livestock operation, in incorporating the PA technology that best suits their needs. By offering the choice to buy everything upfront or purchase Precision Essentials, customers can tailor their investment to their own operation at a lower initial cost. New licensing options also give customers newer to precision agriculture the opportunity to try a technology before expanding its use across their farm. Following its successful rollout in the United States last year, where it proved incredibly popular across all types of farming operations and commodity types, the Precision Essentials program is now available to farmers in Australia and New Zealand. Farmers opting for Precision Essentials benefit from lower entry costs on their Precision Ag core hardware, allowing
John Deere customers now have the option to either buy all their precision agriculture technology upfront or select only the hardware and software elements most valuable to their business.
them to expand their PA capabilities in line with their business requirements. The package includes a Precision Essentials Hardware Kit comprising a G5 or G5PLUS Display, a StarFire 7500 Receiver, and a JDLink M or R Modem. Customers can choose from four renewable software licences with no commitment to future purchases: an AutoTrac licence, an Essentials licence for AutoTrac, Section Control and RowSense, an Essentials Plus SF-RTK licence, or an Advanced Licence that includes SF-RTK, AutoTrac Implement Guidance, AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoPath, In-field Data Sharing, Satellite Maps, and Machine Sync. Customers will be able to incorporate all the software updates that come with the G5 family and G5 Advanced package. The option to upgrade any licence at any point during the year ensures real choice and flexibility. John Deere has listened closely to customers and carefully considered how to improve the uptake of innovation. Many farmers only use the elements of technology they most need, are most comfortable with, or can afford. By lowering the cost of hardware and allowing farmers to choose the package that offers
John Deere's Precision Essentials kit comes with a choice of core hardware offering farmers the ability to choose what's right for their operation.
the most benefit to their business, they can optimise their investment in PA. This adaptability ensures the initial investment continues to provide value as technology advances over time, supporting long-term goals such as expanding acreage, enhancing crop diversity, or integrating advanced systems.
Precision Essentials equipment can also be retrofitted to legacy John Deere equipment and mixed fleets. Every farmer is at a different point in their PA journey, and for Australian and New Zealand agriculture to realise its full potential, it is essential to provide new pathways for farmers to benefit from emerging technologies. Precision Essentials delivers on this by offering flexibility, affordability, and accessibility. Farmers interested in exploring their Precision Essentials options can contact John Deere dealers for more information.
Rollmax Roller Drills
When it comes to cultivation and seeding, efficiency and accuracy are paramount.
The FarmChief Rollmax roller drill with air seeder has established itself as a gamechanger for serious operators seeking large-scale output without compromising on precision.
With working widths from 4.3 metres up to 9.3 metres and a transport width of just 2.5 metres, this machine balances productivity with practicality. Designed for farmers who demand reliability and ease of use, the Rollmax delivers a fine tilth finish, thanks to its heavy-duty 620mm rings. These rings not only provide durability but also ensure a smooth, level finish without the risk of bulldozing.
2025 has brought with it a range of new additions to the product range, as well as exciting updates to some of their existing products, says Ben Abernethy, Product Manager. The Rollmax, already a market leader in strength and reliability, has been upgraded to feature VCR centre pivoting wings as a standard feature. These wings have a greater degree of movement than the old model, improving the Rollmax’s performance in the rolling country commonly found throughout New Zealand. The VCR wings, along with the addition of a hydraulic accumulator pressure distribution system, deliver greater contour following and improved ground pressure when compared
Improved contouring delivers even pressure and an even, fast germination for better cultivation and faster strike, leading to more productive, healthier yields.
to previous models. The system is designed to maintain a pressure cushion whilst allowing the wings to ‘free float’ for the best contouring. The VCR system means the three-section roller wings can move lower and higher (following either a V or Λ shape) than previous models and other comparable rollers on the market. Improved contouring delivers even pressure and an even, fast germination for better cultivation and faster strike, leading to more productive, healthier yields.
At the heart of the Rollmax is the airseeder, a versatile fine seeder capable of metering everything from swedes to grain at rates from 0.5kg/ha to 250kg/ha. This level of precision ensures minimal seed wastage, a feature that has been highly valued by users.
Graeme Burnett, who operates a 300-hectare milking platform and a 250-hectare run-off at Dacre in Southland, has been particularly impressed with its accuracy. He describes it as “unbelievable so far in everything I’ve done – right down to a cupful of seed. And it’s easy to calibrate.”
His system, which includes re-grassing, kale,
At the heart of the Rollmax is the airseeder, a versatile fine seeder capable of metering everything from swedes to grain at rates from 0.5kg/ha to 250kg/ha.
plantain, summer turnips and barley, has benefited significantly from the machine’s efficiency. With the ability to cover 5 hectares in an hour and complete an additional pass quickly, Graeme notes a considerable reduction in working time.
The Rollmax is built to handle challenging conditions, with a centre-pivoting wing design that ensures superb contouring and even pressure across variable terrain. The robust construction, including a twin-beam chassis and sealed lifetime-lubricated axle bearings, reinforces its reliability. The machine’s optional levelling paddles or chain harrows add to its effectiveness, breaking up clumps and ensuring a fine, even seedbed.
Phillip Bell of Loburn found that his previous traditional Cambridge rollers left noticeable hummocks, making it difficult to
Designed with practicality in mind, the Rollmax is a versatile tool that integrates seamlessly with other FarmChief implements.
achieve a level seedbed. After trialling the FarmChief roller, he made the switch, citing a major increase in efficiency and ease of transport. Moving from a 3-metre pass to a 6-metre working width not only improved productivity but also provided the level of finish he was seeking. Having worked with FarmChief for over 15 years, Phillip values the knowledgeable advice and support that comes with the equipment.
One of the standout features of the Rollmax is its hydraulic folding system. The threesection design ensures a smooth transition from transport to working position, with large transport wheels folding back for field operation. This, combined with the narrow 2.5-metre transport width, makes it an ideal option for those needing to move between farms or blocks. The long twin-beam drawbar enhances stability and strength, eliminating any risk of cracking over time. Designed for longevity, the Rollmax’s roller rings come with a six-year warranty, reflecting the confidence FarmChief has in its durability.
Operators can choose from various airseeder options, ranging from a 200-litre manual drive to an 800-litre radar-controlled unit, allowing flexibility to suit different farming operations. A clear seed level site at the front of the hopper enables easy
monitoring, ensuring smooth operation throughout the job. The hydraulic fan system and radar groundspeed sensor contribute to accurate seed metering, reducing waste and improving overall efficiency. This level of control allows farmers to complete cultivation and seeding in a single pass, streamlining their workflow.
Designed with practicality in mind, the Rollmax is a versatile tool that integrates seamlessly with other FarmChief implements, such as pre-rippers and speed discs. The ability to tow additional
functionality, making it a multi-purpose asset on the farm. The levelling paddles, which can be adjusted hydraulically from the
tractor seat, contribute to a well-prepared seedbed, ensuring optimal conditions for germination. The synchronised ram system ensures uniform operation, maintaining a consistent finish across the entire paddock. For farmers looking to improve their efficiency while maintaining precision, the FarmChief Rollmax roller drill with air seeder stands out as a reliable and well-designed solution. Its combination of durability, ease of use, and adaptability ensures that it meets the demands of modern farming, helping operators achieve high-quality results with reduced effort. With strong endorsements from users like Graeme Burnett and Phillip Bell, the Rollmax continues to prove its worth in the field.
A GRÉGOIRE BESSON?
Combining simplicity & durability, with exclusive features & technology, Grégoire Besson cultivation machinery is known for its reliability, versatility & high performance with a variety of configurable options.
Discordon One-Pass Finisher: Remove stubble, decompact, mulch & consolidate
Occitan Disc Harrow: Deep & shallow cultivation, suitable for stubble ploughing after harvest
Normandie Speed Tiller: Fast stubble tillage & soil structuring
Explor Disc Harrow: Land clearing & deep ploughing in heavy or very dry soils
Voyager Semi-Mounted Plough: Precise ploughing over a variety of working widths for high performance in all soil types
Amazone Ceus the all-in-one machine
The Amazone Ceus combines a highspeed disc followed by tines, offering the advantages of both disc harrows and cultivators in a single compact machine.
Equipped with central running gear, it impresses with precision and versatility for both stubble and primary soil tillage, deep loosening, and seedbed preparation. Designed as a universal machine for soil tillage, the Ceus trailed disc and tine combination cultivator is available in working widths from 3 to 7 metres, making it ideal for loosening soils at various depths.
Amazone Product Business Manager, Murray Tuck, explains that the principle behind the Ceus differs from that of an ordinary cultivator. The company has provided a unique point of difference with its true 6-metre working width in controlled traffic. The Ceus helps create the best one-pass seedbed preparation in multiple conditions, allowing for the rapid decomposition of organic matter and excellent crop emergence in the following crop. The leading disc element is equipped with large-diameter discs that shred organic matter and leave a fine-crumbed soil
structure for optimum sowing conditions. Available in smooth and serrated versions, the discs, thanks to their independent suspension, ensure a high passage volume and good contour following during intensive cultivation. The stone release system via rubber spring elements is maintenance-free. The low pulling power required by the wider spacing of the tines in the Ceus system is also sure to impress when loosening at certain depths. With a tine spacing of 40 cm, the following tine segment reliably incorporates any organic matter, even in large quantities, while maintaining a high level of throughpassage. The depth of the tines can be adjusted down to 30 cm. However, it is also possible to work in shallow mode, so that the point runs just below the working depth of the disc harrow in wet and heavy conditions. This loosens the horizon and creates a rough structure in the soil, thereby significantly reducing the risk of capping on these types of soil. The optional solo operation with only the disc implement or only the tine implement ensures maximum flexibility for soil tillage, Murray says.
The front disc implement is essential in material distribution and incorporation, especially in fields with larger tine
spacing, without compromising the mixing performance of a large amount of organic material. The front disc segment, with serrated 510 mm discs, enables shallow cultivation at working depths of 5 to 14 cm. The C-Mix tine implement then loosens the soil to a depth of up to 35 cm. At the same time, the downward pressure of the tine implement increases the cutting effect of the front disc implement during tillage. The option of hydraulic depth adjustment for optimum adaptation to specific soil conditions is particularly convenient and is available for all the working segments.
The working depth of the front disc implement in the Ceus-TX and Ceus-2TX uses hydraulics for easy adjustment. The Ceus-2TX tine implement and the levelling unit can also be equipped with hydraulic working depth adjustment. The tine implement can also be adjusted by hydraulics when a roller is not being used. The rear tine implement can loosen deep soil layers down to 35 cm. However, it is also possible to work more shallowly so that the points run just below the working depth of the disc harrow in wet and heavy conditions. This loosens the surface, generating a rougher soil structure and significantly reducing the risk of crusting on these types of soil. Tines can be fitted with a selection of C-Mix shares to suit all soil types and operating conditions. C-Mix Super tines are equipped with a pressure spring overload protection, while C-Mix Ultra tines feature hydraulic overload protection. The C-Mix Ultra system protects the cultivator from extreme loads by means of highly-dampened resetting of the tine after tripping. The hydraulic release is a popular feature, Murray says.
The Ceus has been built with maintenance in mind, featuring an adjustable trip force to adapt to working conditions as needed. The frame protects against extreme high forces, automatically resetting after a trigger force thanks to C-Mix Ultra tines with hydraulic overload and reset protection. The new guide plates on the C-Mix point system are manufactured with a spiral design that, combined with its optimum radius, ensures perfect deflection of the soil flow, excellent mixing intensity, and a lower power requirement. The proven C-Mix point system by Amazone can be used with a wide range of points for any application.
Maintenance-free disc bearings with face seals offer lifelong lubrication. The disc suspension mechanism includes elastic sprung rubber buffer blocks that ensure optimum contour movement while acting as overload safety protection for each disc. The large rubber buffers are maintenance-free and feature considerable spring deflection, keeping worries to a minimum even when working in stony fields.
Stunning optics combined with strong internal qualities
Challenge accepted! Claas has responded to market demands with the new Night Edition for the continuously variable, Arion 660 Cmatic and the Axion 870 Cmatic tractor.
The tractor has the most substantial emotional connection with the driver of all farm machines. After all, most drivers spend from a few hundred to over a thousand hours a year in the cab, so opportunities for a premium driver package are becoming increasingly important for driver wellbeing, and for identifying 'their' tractor.
The catchphrase for these special limited-edition models is 'Strong on performance, design and price’.
Inside the cab of the Night Edition, lettering appears on the steering wheel badge, seat
headrest, and floor mat. What's more, drivers can enjoy a firstclass entertainment experience thanks to the Apple Carplay/ Android Auto radio.
The cab equipment features high-quality materials, additional accents, a Cmatic continuously variable transmission, and a Cebis multi-function armrest and offers opportunities for design customisation.
The Night Edition exterior features custom grey paint on the rims, roof, and side engine panels. The Claas logo on the side of the bonnet is white on a custom grey background.
The Night Edition lettering is prominently placed on the side of the bonnet, with the emblem above the LED road lighting, which provides the finishing touch to the external design and
flexibility for working hours. Farmers and contractors can now purchase the exclusive Night Edition with enhanced optics, by contacting their local Claas Harvest Centre.
Game-changing speed tillers from Tulip
Tulip, the pioneer of speed discs in Australia, has appointed Inlon as the Australian distributor of their latest range of Multidisc tillers. High-speed tillers are game-changers for farm, vineyard and orchard productivity and efficiency.
Manufactured by Peeters Group in the Netherlands, Tulip’s high-speed shallow cultivators are well-regarded in Australia, having first hit our shores over 25 years ago. They are adaptable for a wide range of soils, incorporating stubble, cover crops and crop residue, ready for re-planting. With working widths from 1.8 m to 6.0 m, the versatile speed tillers are compatible with tractors from 40 hp to over 300 hp.
Gary Surman, Inlon’s Sales and Marketing Manager, explains more about the range.
“Inlon is currently stocking three ranges of the Tulip Multidiscs in nine working widths. The stock models have 510mm, 560mm and 610mm discs. There are six different rollers to control working depth, with the crumbler roller and packer roller in stock, ready to go.
“All machines feature powder-coated frames with heavy duty headstock, aggressive serrated discs made from
hardened steel, a floating roller system and maintenance-free sealed bearing and hub assemblies. A soil deflector plate helps to keep the soil and material within the machine working width.
“More sizes and add-ons such as seeders, road lighting and hydraulic roller adjustment can be ordered. Customers can select between fixed or folding frames, linkage
and trailed models. Tulip spare parts and other cultivation products, such as power harrows, are also available to order.”
The Multidisc starts from $16,599 including GST for the standard Multidisc 180 Speed Tiller.
For more information on Tulip Multidiscs, please visit www.inlon.ag/936 or call Inlon on 1800 945 090.
Horsch and Grange optimising productivity in primary cultivation
Soil and crop management hinges on timeliness and adaptability to drive efficiency, and Carrfields has a range of tools that deliver on all fronts with its class-leading machinery solutions. From Horsch, the Joker RT, Cruiser XL and Terrano MT form the trifecta of equipment specifically designed for primary cultivation and residue incorporation. And from Grange, the LDL, GLL & LDT subsoilers address the need to manage often-hidden, sub-surface damage from shallow and deep compaction, equally vital aspects of soil preparation and crop establishment.
Designed to work seamlessly across various soil types and crop residues, these machines embody many features that drive productivity without compromise.
The Horsch Joker RT is a compact disc harrow that is a versatile tool for stubble cultivation, seedbed preparation, and the incorporation of organic matter. Built with high clearance and rubber-mounted paired discs, it efficiently handles residues while maintaining a level surface. A key advantage of the Joker RT is its ability to create fine soil in the germination horizon, an essential factor in uniform crop establishment. By stimulating the germination of volunteer crops and interrupting capillary action, it enhances soil structure and moisture retention.
Designed for up to 16 km/h operation, the Joker RT delivers high work rates without sacrificing precision. Its aggressively serrated discs ensure deep penetration, even in dry conditions, while the paired disc suspension system reduces the risk of blocking in challenging situations. With working widths ranging from 5 to 12 metres, it caters to operations of all sizes, offering flexibility in configuration to match individual farm requirements. Whether integrating a minidrill
seeder for cover crop establishment or selecting the appropriate packer for specific field conditions, the Joker RT is adaptable to all primary and secondary cultivation needs.
The transport and operational efficiency of the Joker RT is enhanced by its intelligent suspension system, SoftRide, which ensures stability on the road and in the field. The machine's robust construction, combined with its ability to readily incorporate high volumes of organic matter, makes it a valuable asset for farmers aiming to improve soil management and reduce soil movement. The small disc diameter allows for high rotational speeds, improving soil breakdown and creating an optimal seedbed. Finally, the most critical component, the steel disc roller, provides optimal consolidation of the worked profile to maximise crop residue breakdown and moisture retention.
Complementing the Joker RT is the Grange LDL subsoiler, a tool developed in response to farmer feedback on shallow to mediumdepth compaction challenges. As more farmers adopt direct drilling and minimum tillage practices, addressing soil compaction at depths of 6 to 8 inches has become crucial. The LDL is designed to lift and loosen soil across its full width, breaking compaction layers without excessive disturbance. By tackling compacted layers caused by heavy machinery traffic and rainfall, it improves water infiltration and root penetration, ensuring better crop establishment and longterm soil health.
One of the LDL’s key strengths is its ability to improve soil structure immediately after harvesting, creating conditions conducive to healthy root development. Poor crop establishment often results from compacted layers limiting root growth, restricting access to nutrients and moisture. The LDL addresses this by lifting and aerating the soil, maintaining a balanced profile that enhances plant resilience and productivity. With increasing emphasis on soil conservation and sustainable farming, the LDL offers a solution that balances soil loosening with minimal surface disruption.
Flexibility is at the core of the LDL’s design. Available in 3m, 4m, and 6m working widths, it suits a range of farm sizes and operational needs. Operators can choose between shear bolt or hydraulic reset protection for the loosening legs, allowing for operation in varying soil conditions. Hydraulic front cutting discs effectively manage surface trash while minimising soil disturbance, making the LDL suitable for no-till and reduced-tillage systems. The addition of a packer helps create a level, weatherproof finish, ensuring fields remain in optimal condition for future drilling.
Another advantage of the LDL is its dual functionality. It can be configured as a full-width loosener or adapted into a track eradicator for targeting tramlines. Adjusting the leg spacing allows for precise placement, ensuring effective loosening where it’s needed most. Additionally, the option to remove the packer and attach a rear hitch enables further versatility, allowing farmers to trail additional implements behind the LDL frame. This adaptability makes the LDL a valuable tool for farms seeking to maintain soil structure while maximising efficiency across different cropping systems.
Together, the Horsch Joker RT and the Grange LDL subsoiler provide a comprehensive approach to soil preparation. The Joker RT excels in shallow cultivation and residue management, ensuring fields are well-prepared for new crops, while the LDL addresses deeper compaction challenges without disrupting soil integrity. By using both implements in tandem, farmers and contractors can achieve a balance between effective tillage and soil preservation, ensuring long-term productivity.
Carrfields Machinery continues to equip farmers with innovative, field-proven machinery that meets the demands of modern agriculture. Whether refining stubble management with the Joker RT or alleviating compaction with the LDL subsoiler, these machines offer practical, effective solutions for optimising soil conditions and ensuring sustainable, high-yield farming.
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.
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Power Farming service,
buyback schemes, bolster new business owners
When Tammy and Ben Brownless bought their family’s business, Marsh Contracting, last year, one of the first steps they took was to consolidate and update their equipment fleet.
They considered a number of options, and ultimately decided Power Farming’s package of high-performance machinery, financing, extended warranties and guaranteed buybacks was the best way forward.
With Power Farming’s offer on the table, Ben and Tammy got a tick of approval from their bank and accountant. It meant they could go into their first season as owners of the business with two new top-of-the-line Deutz Fahr Warrior tractors and a new
McHale Fusion 4 Plus combi baler.
Neville and Jill Marsh started Marsh Contracting nearly 40 years ago. Based in the Bay of Plenty, it provides a full range of crop establishment and grass and maize harvesting services.
Most of Marsh Contracting’s clients are dairy farmers but they also do some work for the growing number of kiwifruit orchards in the region.
Tammy and Ben's two new Deutz Warriors are an 8280 and a 7250. Both are very good contractor’s tractors with the engines and continuously variable TTV transmissions that they need.
Neville is also well-known in the industry for his range of mobile weighbridges and his other invention – MarshN Rings rake arm protectors. He will continue to sell these while the next generation takes over the contracting business.
Neville and Jill Marsh started Marsh Contracting nearly 40 years ago.
Jill and Neville’s daughter, Tammy, has worked at Marsh Contracting for 18 years, and she met Ben when he began working for the company seven years ago.
“We bought the business in July, 2024,” Ben says. “We are keen to expand and we have already picked up a few more clients, but our main priority is to look after our existing clients. Some of them have been with the business for 30 years.
“To be more efficient, we wanted to reduce the number of machines we run and upgrade the gear that we use the most. We like to be a bit unique, which is one reason we had a look at Deutz Fahr.
“Our two new Deutz Warriors are an 8280 and a 7250. Both are very good contractor’s tractors with the engines and continuously variable TTV transmissions that we need.
“One of them is fitted with Deutz Fahr’s Agrosky guidance system so that we can run the maize planter more accurately and provide proof of placement to our clients.”
Ben is also stoked with their new McHale Fusion 4 Plus, which can secure the bale with plastic
or net. He says it is a “beast of a baler” that just goes and goes in all conditions.
Tammy says, with the decision to buy Deutz-Fahr tractors Marsh Contracting has come full circle because her parents ran DeutzFahrs when they started out.
She is very impressed with the effort Power Farming made to put
together a tailor-made package for the new business.
“We first met Peter Rust at Power Farming Whakatane. Peter got us in touch with Power Farming’s Deutz Fahr general manager Alistair Horrocks. We met with Alistair several times and went to Power Farming HQ in Morrinsville to look at all of the machinery
"We are putting together a fleet replacement programme and we plan work with Power Farming on this."
options available,” Tammy says.
“We have bought a lot of gear since I have been with the busi-
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.
ness, and this is the first time the brand’s national sales manager has worked directly with us to put together a deal.
“Alistair and his team came up with a package that suits our budget. They also provided forecasting and the guaranteed buyback means we know that after five years and 5000 hours of work, we can retain the value of the tractors.”
Alistair says he and Peter Rust spent a lot of time getting to know Ben and Tammy’s business in order to design a service and finance arrangement that meets their needs.
“We understand that in agriculture, there is no ‘one size fits all’ and that success depends on good relationships. We really
enjoyed working alongside Ben and Tammy to come up with a package that benefits their business and ours.”
There are two separate components to the package. An extended warranty fully covers the two Warriors for five years or 5000 hours, and the guaranteed buyback ensures that, when the tractors reach that point, Ben and Tammy have good financial options.
“They can either hold onto the tractors, return them for a price that we have already set, or trade them in on new tractors,” Alistair says.
“The warranty comes with a servicing package that includes regular maintenance by technicians from Power Farming
Whakatane to pre-empt any major issues from arising and ensure the tractors are working at peak performance.”
Power Farming trained Marsh Contracting’s staff on the new Deutz Fahr warriors. Also, Peter spent hours in the cab with Ben so he was completely familiar with the Agrosky guidance system and how it integrates with his Kverneland precision maize planter.
The Deutz-Fahr Agrosky system is an OEM manufactured Topcon product built to integrate seamlessly with the Deutz-Fahr range.
Alistair says now that Power Farming is Topcon’s national distributor in New Zealand, they can add a range of precision
farming products and services to any machinery package they put together for contractors and farmers.
“Topcon is brand agnostic and we now have a product offering that can be installed on any tractor or implement, irrespective of colour or age.”
The range of machinery and other technology Power Farming has on offer is another big plus for Ben and Tammy.
“We are putting together a fleet replacement programme and we plan work with Power Farming on this. They have a great line-up of leading brands and they really are a one-stop shop. I would definitely encourage other contractors to have a look at what they have to offer,” Ben says.
The Marsh Contracting team.
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CROPS LOVE KVERNELAND
continues family legacy Holm family
Malcolm Holm has seen a lot of changes over the 42 years his family has operated their dairy farm near Finley, New South Wales.
From shifting operations from near Byron Bay in the 1980s, to weathering the variable climate of the past two decades, and having to change operations drastically after a farm accident, the Holm family has had to adapt to maintain their multi-generational farming legacy.
The Holms milk 600 cows across three farms, which span 580 hectares. The farm produces about 480,000kg of milk solids per year.
could not expand, the family shifted from Byron Bay to Finley.
Malcolm says the shift was a good one because, in Finley, farming is seen as the backbone of the economy. Now Malcolm, wife Jenny and daughters Ellena (29) and Talei (27) have their roots firmly established in the region.
“There aren’t many dairy farmers left, but the ones left employ a lot of people and are investing heavily in dairy,” Malcolm says.
“Cow housing sheds are popping up everywhere with a lot of concrete being poured,” he says, adding that existing dairy farmers are investing heavily into infrastructure.
Malcolm wears a few hats and, besides farming, also chairs both
The area receives around 350mm of rain annually, predominantly in winter when temperatures dip to -1°C at times, with summer highs topping out at 40°C.
The Holms are multi-generational farmers. Malcolm’s grandfather and father farmed, with the family’s farming roots traceable back to the 1700s. In the early 1980s when urban pressure meant their operations
Malcolm (left), herd manager Joesph Owino and wife Jenny planning the week ahead.
Maize with lucerne under pivot in the background after a long hot summer in 2018. across ditch the Profiled in Australia's Ag Contractor & Large Scale Farmer January/February 2025, we visit Malcolm Holm in New South Wales, Australia.
the New South Wales Farmers Dairy Committee and the National Farmers Federation Water Committee.
Farming operations have been heavily influenced by challenges, but the Holm family seem to have a knack for turning challenges into opportunities.
Malcolm’s role on the farm changed 18 years ago when he had a serious accident that cost him his hand. His hand was reattached and, while he has reasonably good use of it, he isn’t able to milk anymore and lacks the fine motor skills needed for tasks such as putting cups on.
The incident means the family focuses on farm safety, and understands better than most that in times of stress, wet weather, or when conditions change, accidents can happen.
Malcolm says the first few years after the accident were “tough going”, but the entire mindset on the farm changed and, for the last 18 years, he has had to rely heavily on farm labour.
“The last full milking I did was the morning of my accident. I can help, but I can’t milk anymore; I am in a facilitation role,” he says.
Malcolm says, to keep production up, his main role is ensuring there’s enough feed in front of the cows and the farm has ample feed conserved.
“I have to make sure everything’s running smoothly and think about where we will be in six months.
“To some degree the farm is a
semi-corporate farm, because we rely on our labour to manage animals.”
The farm is run by 10 staff. Four are on working visas with the option of permanent residency. On top of that, Malcolm also relies on backpackers and some locals who milk part-time.
Four Kenyans and a Ugandan manage the herd and Malcolm describes their animal husbandry skills as fantastic.
Dr Joe, Joseph, Stephen and Calleb are really valued on the Holm’s dairy farm.
Finding labour and jumping through regulatory hoops has been an ongoing battle for regional rural Australia and the entire agriculture industry, and Malcolm deems himself lucky to
have a good crew.
Even though he wants to stop using backpackers, he says the last few backpackers who have helped him were great workers.
Malcolm says when it makes the news that large companies such as Coles and Woolworths, or universities and organisations with large human resources departments, “get it wrong”, then it is tough to be a small business and be expected to get requirements right.
An unpredictable climate is another massive challenge the area faces.
“The first 20 years here were pretty smooth, the last 20 years have just been really erratic,” he says.
“You’re in drought for a couple
Malcolm says he can foresee a time in the region when most cows will be housed.
of years, the next minute it’s really wet.”
Malcolm says the farm operated on a traditional rotational grazing system, but it is becoming increasingly difficult in today’s environment to run a pasture-only system.
To this end, irrigation is critical and helps maintain control of the seasons.
Malcolm says maize is critical in his feed base and the family have become croppers that grow forage to feed cows. The climate cycle impacts how much he grazes.
“There are dairy farms who graze a lot and others who don’t graze any animals. We are still grazing. However, I can see a time where we won’t be grazing.
Finley, NSW is a great region to live in.
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It will be sooner rather than later.
“It comes back to economics; 100ML of water can grow about 100t - 150t dry matter of ryegrass, or 320t - 350t of maize/winter crop. When temporary irrigation water is at $200/ML, that’s $133/t for the pasture for water alone, compared to $57 for the cropping.
“We can kick off a season in the autumn and then help finish it off through the spring and grow maize through the summer.”
The farm uses some pivots, but relies mostly on flood irrigation while well-structured land forming aids irrigation’s effectiveness.
Malcolm says, 40 years ago managing irrigation was almost a full-time job on each farm, but now he irrigates all three farms and calls it a “part-time job”.
“Forty years ago you used a motorbike and a shovel; today, paddocks that had a hundred irrigation bays may only have six.
Malcolm also recently raised 60 calves that he will sell to the works. He says the appetite for bobby calves in the industry is diminishing and the interest in beef dairy is increasing.
Irrigation from Murray Irrigation Limited coming onto the farm. A shallow ground water pump and on-farm control structures are in the foreground. Only about 80ha of the farm has not been land formed or isn’t under irrigation.
With land forming, the technology around irrigation has really changed.”
Only about 80ha of the farm has not been land formed or isn’t under irrigation.
Due to the inconsistent climate, Malcolm is also considering housing cows and he says farmers in the region who house cows are managing climate impacts better.
Keeping cows under shelter has definite production benefits.
“They’re getting better feed efficiency. Feed costs don’t drastically increase. It keeps the cows out of the heat in summer and they’re not walking down muddy laneways or have to stand in muddy paddocks in winter.
“It takes a bit more to manage but it’s better from a cow health point of view.”
Many farmers in the area are, therefore, switching from
pasture-only grazing to systems they can manage better.
“We’re running a hybrid system at the moment. We don’t have the efficiencies and benefits of a pasture system, and we don’t have the efficiencies and benefits of a total mixed ration system.”
In this hybrid system he has been operating over the last number of years, cows are currently grazing twice a day, with a top-up from the mixer wagon.
But it is likely that soon all the cow feed will be coming from the mixer wagon.
The timing of the switch is influenced by temporary water pricing and seasonal heat. Once there are consistently hot days of 35°C-plus, rye grass stops growing.
Mating heifers are fed a fixed ration.
The right equipment makes managing the hybrid system easier and will also help if cow sheds become the norm.
To this end Malcolm recently bought a new Ausmix XL30 mixer wagon from Farmtech. In the early 2000s he didn’t need a silage wagon, but when the millennium drought hit he realised he would have to deal with climate upsand-downs, and feed issues, for extended periods.
Now cows depend on the Ausmix, built by Brad Modra and the team at Farmtech, twice a day for feed.
“There isn’t a day of the year that it isn’t used. There is always a mating mix, weaners or a top up for the milkers. During summer and autumn it might be doing five -seven loads a day.”
He turned to Ausmix because the quality of imported brands seemed to drop.
Malcolm says the new XL 30
Malcolm is considering housing cows and he says farmers in the region who house cows are managing climate impacts better.
has a number of small upgrades from the previous XL 30 Ausmix model he relied on.
Farmtech’s approach to manufacturing, especially with the new machine, means maintenance and servicing is easier.
“When things are easier, you tend to maintain machines more because it’s not a pain.”
Small adjustments also make for a stronger machine. Galvanised adjusting rods have been replaced with stainless steel. A stainless steel skin means when a machine is traded, the skin can be cut out and the machine is like new, and the barrel remains protected.
“In the end it comes back to local service and availability of parts. Because Farmtech makes them, I know they will have spare parts and they are not relying on
Stephen Kimani on the cups. With Malcolm relying on 10 staff members, he sees the farm as semi corporate.
an importer. That’s a massive plus when something goes wrong. Farmtech now are building their machines in-house, so there is a consistently high quality product.
“What the critical test is, when something goes wrong, you want them standing behind you. You don’t want to look around and can’t find anyone. You get that with Farmtech.
“I reckon the majority of dairy farms in the region now have one
of their machines.
“For us being only two hours from Wodonga, if there is a major breakdown we can have another machine here in a few hours.
“Farmtech also ensures there are regular inspections of the machine for blade wear and oil changes.”
The machines come with Topcon software, and staff use a tablet that connects to the machine via bluetooth, so they can precisely mix rations.
One of the challenges in TMR systems is making sure that each mix is consistently the same and the software’s ease of use helps keep mixes consistent across different staff members and differing mixing experience and abilities, Malcolm says.
Of course the quality of cows is crucial to success. Malcolm says he hasn’t had a bull on the farm in 15 years.
Traditionally, he used sexed Holstein genetics but, when bobby calves became unpopular, he switched to conventional Angus semen from the USA on cows and heifers.
Replacements receive Holstein semen.
“We are now using the genomic results to better select what
Cows get a daily top up from the mixer wagon, but it is likely all the cow feed will soon come from the wagon.
sexed semen goes into animals.
“We lean towards health traits and look at the bottom third of animals. These will get mated to Angus, the others will get sexed for a couple of inseminations, and, if unsuccessful, get Angus semen.
“We were using a lot more sexed semen, however, since the Chinese heifer market dried up we have changed our focus.”
Almost 70% of the milkers have now had their DNA tested.
Malcolm recently raised 60 calves that he will sell to the works, as he wasn’t able to move them at five days old.
He says the appetite for bobby calves in the industry is diminishing.
Beef dairy still has a long way
to go, however he believes given time it will “get there”.
“Beef-dairy crosses are great low carbon footprint animals.
“There is a willingness on farms to breed these calves and, at the market end, there is a willingness to sell them; we just need the piece in the middle. As an industry we need to progress.”
Angus genetics, for example, means calves are feed efficiently, grow fast and are “turned over weeks earlier and grow into animals the abattoir wants”.
In the end, the market also wants that product, he says.
Water is fast becoming a massive challenge for the region. Not only because of droughts, but because some government
initiatives are not managed satisfactorily, such as the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, he says. Through the plan the government is investing in water saving infrastructure in the Basin through the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program and the Commonwealth On-Farm Further Irrigation Efficiency Program.
However, the government struck a deal with the Greens last year where as much as 700 gigalitres of water used for farming could be bought for the environment.
Water, Malcolm says, could have been better applied.
“The government is too focused on buying entitlements and not focused on environmental outcomes.”
He says environmental concerns could have been addressed better by initiatives, like, for example, building fish ladders.
Malcolm says the farm is going through an interesting time because they are considering selling the farm.
Depending on expressions of interest, he will either sell or refinance and then put in housing for the cows.
“We are at a critical juncture, given our ages, of late 50s and early 60s. If we put the housing up, we will have to commit for another five to 10 years at least.”
But day-to-day operations aren’t being stopped by these decisions and he and the Holm family and team are charging full steam ahead.
“This is a really great region to live and farm in, it is hard work though.
“There are some really inspiring dairy farms around and with the right skills, capability and good financing there is no limit.
“Dairy farmers have shown their capacity to change and adapt. We still need help in research and facilitation in these changes, however it can be successfully done,” Malcolm says.
The Holms milk 600 cows across three farms, which span 580 hectares. The farm produces about 480,000 kg of milk solids per year.
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