100 years of Farmall Tractors
Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of Ashburton on 6-7th April.
Confirming a move signalled over a year ago, in response to a directive by the Australian federal government that all quad bikes must be fitted with operator protection devices, Honda will stop selling quad bikes in Australia on October 10.
Instead, the motorcycle and vehicle manufacturer says it will focus on developing its market for side-by-sides/UTVs in Australia, after failing to convince the federal authorities to overturn its decision to force manufacturers to fit OPDs on new or used units from October 11th.
Honda is one of several manufacturers that disagree with the mandatory requirement to fit protection devices.
Director of Honda Australia Motorcycle and Power Equipment, Peter Singleton, says "safety standards must be evidence-based, in both criteria and testing methods, to internationally accepted standards.
"Honda has provided research to show the negative outcomes of the government's proposal but unfortunately it was rejected".
While Honda is said to be disappointed with the outcome of the negotiations, it has confirmed that it will continue to support its current quad bike (ATV) users through the transition.
Honda has always been and continues to be a strong advocate for rider safety, supporting all of the known and proven safety measures recommended by experts and coronial inquests, including the mandating of safety helmet use for all ATV and side-by-side riders, rider training and the prohibition of riders under the age of 16 from riding adult size vehicles.
"This will continue to be a strong focus for Honda right across our operations from rider training to marketing, dealer networks and after-sales support," said Singleton.
In 2019, the federal governmnet agreed on a suite of safety standards for quad bikes as recommended by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), who investigated ATV-related deaths on farms in the past 20 years. ACCC chairman Rod Sims has made it clear in recent weeks the commission is determined to push ahead with the compulsory fitting of rollover protection devices on quads.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.
OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…