Feeding maize silage in winter: Setting the herd up for success
As I write this article, we have just had our first frost in the Waikato, a change in weather signalling that winter is upon us.
A clever idea from the Emerald Isle, addresses the issue of stability when operating loaders on silage stacks.
Developed by Samco Manufacturing in Limerick, the aptly named Wheeled Loader Extender is a retrofit hub system that allows loader operators to undertake road work at the factory set wheel track, then extend the loaders front wheels for work on the stack.
The wheels are “pushed” out using an integral, manually operated hydraulic pump, typically increasing overall track widths by up to 600mm
The system is said to remove the need for dual wheel set-ups and the chore of removing them for road transport. The modified track is also said to help improve consolidation on the stack, as it creates an offset between the front and rear wheels. Additionally, for those operating in walled stacks or clamps the extended track allows consolidation right up to the wall, while the body of the machine is kept further away.
Samco founder Sam Shine, a well-known face at the New Zealand National Fieldays says, “we originally designed the system for loaders, be we are currently receiving enquiries from people operating headers or large trailed implements on slopes and looking for improved stability.”
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.