Valtra Reaches 1000th CVT Transmission Milestone
AGCO’s Valtra brand has announced a production milestone at its Suolahti, Finland, factory with the completion of the 1000th AGCO continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
Claas took out the High-Power category with its Axion 9.450 Terra Trac, with the judging panel noting its “combination of power density, hydraulic capability, and data-driven performance management”. In practical terms, this was demonstrated by a rear lift capacity of 11 tonnes and the ability to reach a 40kph road speed at only 1350rpm. They also commented, “the tractor integrates high output with machine optimisation tools and smart functions suited to larger farms.”
The Mid-Power category was won by Fendt’s 516 Vario, picking up the Award for its “balance of efficiency, comfort, and versatility as a reference in the mid-power class” with the jury also describing it, as being a tractor where “compact dimensions meet premium technology”.
Also from the AGCO stable, Valtra’s G125 CVT Active was awarded the Utility Tractor of the Year thanks to its “blend of agility, user-friendly operation, and technological integration, while also representing the evolution of compact versatility and featuring a robust hydraulic system, excellent visibility, and an ergonomic cab layout optimised for loader work”.
New Holland’s T4.120 F Auto Command, featuring a continuously variable transmission (CVT) technology for the narrow tractor segment, won the Specialised category. The jury praised its “compact design and premium technology, setting a new standard for vineyard and orchard applications”.
JCB’s recently released Fastrac 6300 claimed victory in the Sustainable Category, with the jury citing it as “an example of sustainable innovation that combines intelligent engineering, digital connectivity, and care for the soil to deliver productivity with responsibility”, adding that it “redefines the balance between performance, efficiency, and sustainability in high-speed tractor engineering”.
The final award was the TOTY Bot, first introduced in 2024 to recognise robotic tractors. This was taken out to AgXeed’s 2.055 W3, which is “an autonomous platform marking a concrete step toward robotic field operations and a commercial readiness and open architecture as key steps toward scalable, autonomous agriculture”.
New Zealand dairy farmers are set to be the first in the world to receive access to a new digital physical milk pricing tool that enables them to fix the price for their physical milk.
State farmer Pāmu is opening its farm gates this summer in an effort to give the rural sector the opportunity to see how large-scale, multi-system farming is delivering productivity and profitability across New Zealand.
A five-year study has found that the cost of reducing emissions without technology may be significant and unsustainable for Northland dairy farmers.
DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.
While the Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers' lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in the creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.
Waikato farmers have been told that the Government’s new planning system legislation and the region’s Plan Change 1 (PC1) “won’t mesh together very well”.

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