Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition
Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to farmers.
Over the last few years Kubota has indicated it intends to become a major global player, and its 2015 results seem to confirm things are under way.
With a change to its fiscal year to end in December 2015, the final nine months showed sales of $US11.024 billion -- an increase of 9% over the same period in 2014. Export revenues rose significantly in North America from sales of compact tractors, and in Europe sales of tractors, construction gear and engines increased, though farm implements "stagnated", the company said.
Mechanisation increased in Asian countries, e.g. tractors and combines in Vietnam and China saw increased combine sales as the government reinstated subsidies; but sales in Thailand dropped because of a prolonged drought.
For the year 2016 the company is forecasting a rise in revenues of around 3.6%, driven by expansion in North America, Europe and Asia.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.