AGCO and TAFE conclude commercial partnership with $260m share buyback
AGCO Corp has agreed with TAFE to resolve all outstanding disputes and matters related to their commercial relationship.
The Nga Manu Trust runs a reserve of 13ha of protected land on the Kapiti Coast.
It is home to at least 700 species of native plants, 56 species of birds (including kiwi and blue duck), and other cool critters like tuatara, geckos and skinks. A visitors' centre focuses on education and conservation and prides itself on the reserve's accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers.
Along with the native flora and fauna, the reserve is home to an Iseki 22hp TM3245 compact tractor that works on tracks and pedestrian bridges.
Fitted with lawn tyres so it doesn't damage the tracks, the tractor has a hydrostatic transmission for stepless speed control, and like it's larger brother to the Iseki TM3245 – has front and rear hydraulics, a loader and uses the rear PTO to run a slasher mower.
Loaned by Goodmans Contracting who dug out the ponds when the reserve was first established in 1974, the tractor is owned by the contracting business which maintains it regularly, seeing this as a way to keep supporting the trust. The company also refurbished one of its old Iseki tractors for Nga Manu and has given them a tipping trailer and a shed. The trailer carts gravel for the tracks and supplies for building projects.
The tractor is ideal because it has to go over footbridges, and Nga Manu has a lot of peat and swampy areas where a larger tractor could get bogged.
The trust management said "we have had the Iseki since August and it's been used at least every second day. We have to clear away trees that fall on the tracks and trim trees near buildings. The Iseki is a great utility tractor, and fits the bill perfectly for Nga Manu. There will be a lot of operators, and with hydrostatic transmission anyone can hop onto it."
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.