The calvary arrives — finally!
The first batch of overseas drivers for local agricultural contracting work is expected in the country next week, says Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) chief executive Roger Parton.
A 4-METRE disc airseeder launched at Fieldays by Reese Agri is “a hit” with contractors, the company says. The machine is a disc variant of the Aitchison Airpro airseeder.
The new machine gained Reese Agri a finalist placing in the Fieldays innovation awards contest.
Sales manager John Norfolk says it has proved as much a hit with contractors testing it as with the Fieldays competition judges.
The prototype of the air seeder was tested by contractors in Hawkes Bay, Waikato and Taranaki. “The last contractor who did the trial work for us in Taranaki decided he didn’t want it to go back to the factory so he put a sticker with his company logo on it.”
Norfolk says the implement is popular because of its narrow transport width, multi-functionality (up to three boxes) and its ability to hug the ground contours “like no other”.
Though the air seeder has a 4m sowing width it folds up to 2.75m and can be towed at up to 40km/h. “It’s easy enough to transport through gates and over farm bridges but at the same time it’s got all the bits there to cover a lot of acreage fast.”
Norfolk says a frame consisting of three separate parts gives the seeder excellent contour-following ability, also improved by individually sprung discs that add another 120mm of individual travel.
The drill is offered with bins of 1500L or 1000L capacity; an optional 80L bin has individual hydraulically driven fans.
Tel. 06 357 9323
www.reesegroup.co.nz
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.
Global Dairy Trade (GDT) and Arla Foods have announced that Arla will begin offering European-sourced skim milk powder (SMP) on GDT Pulse from May 2025 as part of an extension to the GDT Pulse pilot.
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