Ballance Launches AI Assistant for Fertiliser Ordering
A new digital assistant is now helping Ballance Agri-Nutrients farmers speed up nutrient information and ordering.
Spotted at Fieldays, and following a theme first seen in the New Holland ‘police’ tractor, Case IH New Zealand has unveiled a special edition ‘fire’ tractor as part of a partnership with Fire and Emergency NZ.
The Case IH Farmall tractor has flashing lights and a siren and is finished in livery typical of fire trucks everywhere.
Although it won’t be used to fight fires, the Case IH fire tractor will assist Fire and Emergency NZ to spread the message about fire safety in rural regions.
Case IH operations manager Tim Fanning says “Fire and Emergency NZ plays a vital role in helping keep our communities safe, so we are delighted to partner with them to help them engage with the public in a fun and unique way”.
Fire and Emergency’s national advisor fire risk management, Rob Goldring says the partnership and tractor will enable them to “talk with rural communities about developing greater resilience, especially in fire prevention and volunteer sustainability”.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
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