The capital cost of high-output modern tractors and machinery has prompted many agricultural contractors to diversify into civil work such as site development, re-contouring and road or race building.

Kirwee-based business Colin Payne Contracting focuses on direct drilling and bale wrapping.

With the European grain harvest just ending, combine harvester manufacturers are whipping up a frenzy for their 2018 models.

Family-owned harvesting specialist Krone has pulled the wraps off a new offering in its Big X self-propelled range.

For ten years quads have been getting bigger and piling on cubic capacity: it’s no surprise now to see machines of 750, 800 or even 1000cc.

Although conditions in the agricultural machinery sector continue to be difficult, the family-owned Austrian firm of Pöttinger was still able to increase sales by 2% to Eur 308 million in the 2016-17 financial year.

Matt Walker, of Barrhill Dairy Ltd in Mid-Canterbury, runs a mixed operation that focuses on 2200 cows milked through two dairies, producing 1.3 million kgMS per annum.

The subject of quad safety is never far from the news media, but recent recommendations by Wellington coroner Brigitte Windley following the death of a 56-year-old Otago worker in 2014 do nothing to advance a solution.

Having seen the latest Yamaha AG 125 at Fieldays we asked an Auckland supplier for a test machine for a willing farmer.

While the All Blacks were well into planning their end-of-year tour, another group of Kiwis headed to the northern hemisphere in the middle of July during the European summer.