Sumo GLS wrestles compaction
A recent demonstration of a grassland subsoiler in the heavily compacted car park at Mystery Creek impressed visiting dairy farmers.
Designed for deep vertical tillage, the Great Plains inline subsoiler shatters yield-robbing compaction layers.
These layers are a known effect of horizontal tillage tools such as ploughs and discs, and of tractors or continuous repeated traffic.
The subsoilers have a working depth of 30-40cm with easily adjusted depth wheels. They are designed for use in autumn to help loosen the soil profile and restore uniform density but with minimal topsoil disturbance.
The subsoiler’s frame is made of high tensile, 9.5mm walled tubing for strength and durability. They come with 70cm (6 shank) or 75cm (5 shank) spacings.
A no-till, 25cm wide, winged point is used with the 19mm no-till leg to minimise surface disturbance yet maximise the soil shattering effect below the surface.
At the rear of the machine, individual 41cm diameter roller assemblies, made from 2.5cm solid bars, level the treated surface, enabling single pass seedbed preparation.
The shanks are protected against stones, rocks or timber by a horizontally mounted coil spring protection system with a trip force of 1360kg.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according…
Seen a giant cheese roll rolling along Southland’s roads?