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.
Ken Wilson started out on the family farm, but a love of machinery drew him to contracting, initially with a bulldozer on the slopes above Colyton, Manawatu.
In the late 1970's he bought his first wheeled tractor, a Kubota 7500, which over the years led to a number of the Japanese brand entering the business.
Wilson's latest acquisition from the marque is a M135GX which has earned its keep with implements such as a semi-mounted five-furrow plough and a 3m power harrow; it has racked up around 700 hours in five months.
Asked what he thought of his latest charge, Wilson said "the four cylinder engine just keeps hanging on and shows plenty of punch; the cab is roomy and quiet, has great visibility and the layout of the controls is well thought out."
He was also complimentary about the unique front suspension that irons out the bumps, and the Bi-Speed steering system that allows tight turns on headlands during row crop work.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.