Continental to discontinue agricultural tyre production amid strategic shift
Continental was founded in 1871, offering solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation.
Setting tyre pressures correctly, even for a humble farm tractor, is important for reducing compaction, precluding shallow ruts in difficult conditions and cutting fuel consumption.
Tyre manufacturer Michelin has introduced an agricultural tyre pressure calculator app that allows farmers and contractors to get on-the-spot advice for particular jobs or tractor/implement combinations. Appropriate tyre pressures for a desired load or speed can be calculated in three easy steps.
Firstly the user enters the tractor’s front and rear axle loadings, and the approximate weight of implements. Secondly, he enters the sizes of the Michelin tyres fitted to the tractor from a drop-down menu that lists the full range of Michelin products. Finally, he uses his device’s in-built camera to take a photo of the set-up, which cleverly looks at the image to calculate the precise weight distribution and the length of any overhangs from the wheels. The app then calculates the recommended tyre pressures for each axle.
The application is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iTouch, and Android operating systems.
www.itunes.apple.com or www.play.google.com or www.michelin.com
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has released its 2026 election manifesto, outlining priorities to support the sector’s growth, resilience, and contribution to New Zealand’s food security and export revenue.
Farmers have voted to continue the Milksolids Levy that funds DairyNZ.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has resigned after eight years in the role.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.