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Valtra T234.
Tractor designs have come a long way: compare today's machines with the favourites of yesteryear like the MF 135 or the Ford 4000.
Nowadays these workhorses of the land have more exterior curves than Marilyn Monroe, and interior finishes that would make automobile makers cry.
One such 'modern' tractor, the Valtra T234 from AGCO, recently won a prestigious Red Dot Design Award for 2016, competing against 5200 entries from 57 countries judged by 41 independent design professionals from around the world.
The Valtra T4 series, resulting from seven years R&D, is the first of a new generation in which technical innovations and a whole new look are brought together.
The clean exterior lines look good, and underlying design work has focused on usability, ergonomics, safety, durability, serviceability and, ultimately, the productivity of the machine.
Incidentally, fourth-generation Valtra have also won international awards including Machine of The Year 2015.
While Nokia is more likely recognised for mobile devices, a major investment of €70m (NZ$126m) by global farm machinery brand AGCO at its facility in Linnavuori, in Nokia, will see the plant establish a new laboratory for testing combustion engines running on alternative fuels, alongside a range of electric solutions, including hybrids, fuel cells and high-voltage battery technology.
Global agricultural machinery manufacturer AGCO is set to become a majority owner of Trimble’s precision agriculture business.
A tractor dealership celebrating 65 years selling Massey Fergusons, and other AGCO farm machinery, is still expanding, opening a new branch in Cromwell.
A total of 108,800 tractors were registered across Europe in the first six months of 2022, with 31,900 tractors of 37kW (50 hp) and under and 76,900 of 38kW and above.
The need for vigilance in the digital age has become a reality for the agribusiness sector.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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