Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
German tractor and machinery manufacturer Claas is to stop production of its Cargos self-loading forage wagons in response to a global trend towards what the company describes as technological harvesting technology and more reliance on self-propelled forage harvesters.
The company reports that although global sales of such wagons are on the decline, the format still fulfils a niche market in some regions.
Produced at the company’s Bad Salgau facility, Cargos’ demise will free up assembly space to make the increasingly popular Orbis 900 row-independent headers that are fitted to forage harvesters, primarily for harvesting maize.
Alongside an upgrade to the existing 5,000 square metre assembly hall, further upgrades costing €40 million will help improve production logistics and assembly optimisation over the next few years. The company also reports there is an ongoing plan to expand, modernise and professionalise its mower, tedder, swather and baler ranges, also manufactured at Bad Salgau. Parts and service support for existing Cargos operating around the globe will continue well into the future.
Industry sources suggest the move will allow existing manufacturers the opportunity to achieve a higher market share, while at the same time commenting that although sales have been in decline for many years, at present, the market remains relatively static.
Seed and grain companies share the concerns of arable farmers about the viability of their sector, says Seed and Grain New Zealand chief executive Dr Sarah Clark.
The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) says unnecessary changes to New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) will seriously erode investor confidence and result in significant reductions in forest planting rates.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Federated Farmers has something positive to say about the Labour Party’s climate change policy leading into a general election.
A warning for New Zealand seed and grain companies – be prepared for an exodus of farmers from the arable sector.
Now in its fourth year, the 2026 Fencing Industry Awards, formed part of the proceedings of the FCANZ Conference, held in Nelson during August.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.