Five year warranty deal
Hustler Equipment, manufacturer of livestock feeding machinery, has announced the introduction of a new, five-year warranty scheme for all their products manufactured in 2023 and later.
Feeder specialist Hustler has launched a three-point-linkage bale feeder that takes conventional design thinking on this type of machine and turns it on its head.
The company says the new SL360X is the result of 12 months in New Zealand.
This new multi-purpose machine is rated at 1.25 tonnes capacity – 8% heavier and 30% stronger than previous models.
The addition of another fence gives it 1 cu. m capacity; it will pit, loose and maize silage, fodder beet and cut grass.
Improvements have been made to the auto connect and release system using a patented Snaplox coupler. This ensures accurate connect and disconnect every time and incorporates a double latching set-up that is stronger and eliminates stress on the loading spears.
Its bale spears have forged points for easier bale penetration. This counters the need to push bales along the ground and risk soil contamination, which can be a major problem with blunt tines.
A new thermo-formed floor design increases height around the feed platform. It also encloses the machine driveshafts to prevent crop build up, reducing maintenance downtime.
A redesign of the machine's headstock makes it easy adaptable to fit to high-capacity frontloaders or telehandlers, opening up the possibility of feeding over barriers or into mixer/feeder wagons. An optional side-shift system allows up to 180mm of offset to the left or right and helps ensure accurate placement of feed in all situations.
Other upgrades include bearing covers, motor protection on the head unit and self-aligning bearings used extensively. These require less greasing, extending the routine maintenance schedules.
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.