Carrfields Appointed New Authorised Fendt IDEAL Combine Dealer Across New Zealand
Ashburton based Carrfields has announced its appointment as the new authorised Fendt IDEAL combine harvester dealer across New Zealand with immediate effect.
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”.
Newly released data from Environment Canterbury (ECan) Farm Environment Plan (FEP) audits are showing a dramatic lift in environmental performance across the region.
A solid recovery of global dairy prices this year makes a $9.50/kgMS milk price almost a shoo-in for this season.
As New Zealand marks the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026), industry leaders are challenging the misconception that women only support farming.
Fonterra’s impending exit from the Australian dairy industry is a major event but the story doesn’t change too much for farmers.
Expect greater collaboration between Massey University’s school of Agriculture and Environment and Ireland’s leading agriculture university, the University College of Dublin (UCD), in the future.
A partnership between Torere Macadamias Ltd and the Riddet Institute aims to unlock value from macadamia nuts while growing the next generation of Māori agribusiness researchers.