European tractor registrations down
A total of 108,800 tractors were registered across Europe in the first six months of 2022, with 31,900 tractors of 37kW (50 hp) and under and 76,900 of 38kW and above.
A relative newcomer to the 'heavy metal' scene, Chinese tractor manufacturer Boton, took flight at Fieldays, launching four product offerings.
Founded in 2013 in Henan province, this company now makes 3500 units a year in a 60,000 sq.m factory, but the plant could turn out 10,000 units.
The products seen at Fieldays -- unimaginatively called A, B, C and D (compact, utility, general and high power respectively) -- include units 30-50hp in range A, 50-80hp in range B, 80-110hp in C and the largest 120-140hp using a Chinese made 6.8L Deutz engine.
Transmissions are largely Fiat designed, and are made under licence in Boton's factory. They are offered only in dry clutch configuration for all models and use LUK clutch components.
The larger models have four speeds and four ranges, and the option of creep; so here are tractors with up to 24 forward and 8 reverse speeds.
A wet clutch power shuttle transmission will be available by year end, and all models are available in 2- or 4-wheel drive variants.
Interestingly, the company takes a lead from higher end manufacturers in using a separate reservoir for the external hydraulic system, to prevent contaminating the transmission; output is up to 66L/min.
The power steering has a separate pump and circuit, ensuring enough flow for steering, brakes and transmission lubrication.
Lift capacity is rated 3300kg and the company offers its own Boton-lift self-levelling frontloader, said to use European joysticks and loader valves.
The manufacturer seeks to set up a dealer distribution network in New Zealand and is talking to interested partners.
General manager for new product development Greg Saville says Boton uses quality components from leading suppliers such as Deutz, LUK and SKF to deliver quality tractors to at least 20 countries.
It has an industry leading 3+2 warranty scheme, effectively offering five years of trouble free ownership, Saville says.
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.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.

OPINION: Election years are usually regarded as the silly season, but a mate of the Hound reckons 2026 is shaping…
OPINION: If farmers poured just a few litres of some pollutant into a stream, the Green Party and the wider…