Geoff Maber Awarded ONZM for Lifetime Contribution to New Zealand Agribusiness
Waikato agribusiness leader Geoff Maber has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.
Power Farming will bolster its popular 6 Series tractors (140 - 226hp in six cylinders) with two four-cylinder workhorses.
With maximum outputs of 126hp and 136hp, respectively, the 6130 and 6140DT tractors take their styling from the larger machines, but have a longer wheelbase and greater unladen weight than outgoing 5130 models.
Popular in the northern hemisphere, the smaller machines have good power-to-weight ratios making them ideal for mixed farming and, more importantly, nimble, tight-turning geometry, suiting work in smaller paddocks, yards, buildings or anywhere access is tight.
SDF’s own in-house engine is fitted: a FARMotion model – 4-cylinder, 3.8L and complying with Tier 3 emission rules without any after-treatment. The unit is said to have low fuel consumption and low engine noise.
Transmission options include a 30F/30R semi-powershift or TTV for the 6130, or a 60F/60R or the TTV for the larger 6140. The semi-powershift option has speed-matching, auto-powershifting and 5 -stage shuttle modulation.
Also, as part of the standard package the clever Stop and GO function, when selected, allows the operator to disconnect the drive by applying the brake pedal. This should be useful in loader work, particularly when combined with the QuickSteer system that reduces the number of turns required at the steering wheel.
The TTV stepless speed-control transmission -- via a new joystick layout taken from the larger tractors – will suit baling during harvesting or planting on horticultural plots.
Greater hydraulic flow and lift capacity are benefits: the 6130 and 6140 are fitted with a closed-centre/ load-sensing hydraulic pump set-up with a capacity of 120L/minute. This is configured with four sets of rear remote valves with electronic control of flow rates and time, plus lift capacity of 7000kg.
Options include front suspension and 50km/h for the 6140, and integrated GPS, LED lighting, cab suspension and front linkage and PTO for both models.
Zespri's sales of kiwifruit for the 2025 season have broken all past records.
Trainee orchard manager Luke St John has won the Central Otago 2026 Young Grower regional title.
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox, has won the 2026 Pukekohe Young Grower regional title.
Fifty-eight selected individuals, companies, and start-ups will exhibit their ideas and cutting-edge solutions at the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards, with Amazon Web Services (AWS), who joins the programme in 2026 as overall sponsor.
A rare piece of New Zealand adventure history will be on display at this year’s Fieldays, with a pair of socks worn by the late Sir Edmund Hillary to take pride of place at the Norsewear site this June.
This month's National Fieldays will again display a strong international flavour, with more exhibitors and overseas delegations in attendance.
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