Continental to discontinue agricultural tyre production amid strategic shift
Continental was founded in 1871, offering solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation.
With the bi-annual Agritechica show in Germany coming up, it's likely lots of major players will be releasing new models with options we didn't realise we couldn't do without.
Quite often the manufacturers will bask in the glory of an award, but often as not it's likely the development comes from one of the ancillary suppliers: take tractor tyres for instance.
Take a look at the new VarioGrip Pro tyre inflation system from tractor maker Fendt. This technology was developed with Czech tyre company Mitas which calls it Air Cell technology.
The system will be of interest to farmers and contractors who face the need to change tyre pressures, for example, when moving from cultivation work requiring low pressure to road or transport operations which require higher values. The concept saves time, but also has other benefits including reduced soil damage and fuel consumption.
The Air Cell takes the form of a 'tyre' within the main tyre, taking up around 30% of the original volume. In use the Air Cell is continuously inflated to 8 bar pressure, which can then be released into the original tyre to achieve a rapid increase in pressure.
In practice, this means pressure can be pushed from 0.8bar (11psi) to 1.8bar (24psi) in around 30 seconds, which is about 10 times quicker than normal methods. As well as allowing rapid increases, it can also be used in reverse for rapid deflation, since it has already reduced the original volume by 30%.
Made from a sturdy rubberised compound that retains its original shape – even at high pressures – it has no effect with regards to volume by distortion. It is not connected to the original tyre and does not create any heat or additional friction.
And you thought all tyres were the same.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?