Top shearers set for fast-paced speed shearing at Southern Field Days
Organisers are expecting another full field of 40 of the country’s top shearers for the popular Speed Shearing event at this year’s Southern Field Days at Waimumu.
Handypiece has introduced a portable shearing handpiece useful for farms and lifestyle properties.
At 100g lighter than a standard handpiece and with power to burn, it also has variable speed from 2400-3500rpm.
Powerful, brushless motor technology means there is no more heat build-up than you would get from a traditional wall powered plant. Users are reported as saying it has as much power power as a mains-powered unit.
During trials on all types of sheep, Golden Shears finalists Arron Haynes and Murray Henderson were down to one minute per sheep.
In practice, when used for dagging, crutching and cows’ tails, the unit runs well at about a mid-speed of 2700rpm. And in shearing it achieves a nice cut when wound up to its maximum 3500rpm.
Alpaca shearers will welcome a traditional handpiece slim to hold and speed reducible to that of a clipper.
The unit comes with a lithium battery, battery charger, belt, holster and pouch all made from heavy duty leather, a 5m extension cord and a purpose designed carry bag.
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Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.

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