Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
Celebrating 50 years of being in business in 2025 and specialising in the design and manufacture of an extensive range for the rural industries, Feilding-based McKee Plastics was at Fieldays highlighting a range of feeding products.
The Black and White 50-teat Open Trough Feeder features a host of design details making the unit practical and easy to use, alongside durability and an extended service life.
At the heart of the unit, a heavy-duty chassis and subframe offers a low centre of gravity for improved stability, an integral chassis tilt mechanism for machine levelling and an easily extendable towbar, making it suitable for towing by quads or side by sides, compact tractors or utes.
Manufactured in-house, a 550-litre milk reservoir incorporates a large diameter lid for filling and cleaning, with access via a robust rear step assembly.
The moulded plastic open trough style manifold delivers simplicity, with the biggest benefit being ease of cleaning. Equipped throughout with quality Hansen fittings, the unit is supplied with 50 McKee touch teats.
Director Logan McKee says, “This is a nononsense heavy-duty product offered at an extremely competitive price. Of course, we have an extensive range, right up to 100-teat units to suit a wide range of requirements. The key point is that they all incorporate our five decades of experience in designing and building these types of machines, in what is still a family business – with Pops still working on the factory floor every day”.
www.mckeeplastics.co.nz
Now in its fourth year, the 2026 Fencing Industry Awards, formed part of the proceedings of the FCANZ Conference, held in Nelson during August.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.