Case IH Puma Tractor Wins Prestigious Red Dot Design Award
While equipment sales teams bask in the glory when they sell a product, they often forget the designers and engineers who bring that product from an idea to production.
Case IH has announced new G500V VariCut variable knife grain headers for its Axial-Flow combine harvesters with features aimed at enhancing performance and easing operator workloads.
Spanning 6.1-12.5m working widths, seven G500V models each feature knife movement over a 575mm fore/aft range to ensure consistent crop flow in all crop types and conditions.
Wider models feature new hydraulically operated gauge wheels that can be switched from the cab between transport and field mode, making it unnecessary to manually raise the wheels before loading the header onto its transport trailer.
In addition, attachment and removal times are reduced with all connections grouped on the left-hand of the harvester, alongside a single PTO connection.
The VariCut headers feature an in-line knife drive, with fully-linear output shaft motion, for smooth operation with minimal vibration. The belt drive has been replaced by gearboxes and a telescopic PTO, reducing overall driveline maintenance requirements and easing the operator workload to maximise comfort.
The 10.5m and 12.5m models feature 100% synchronised dual knife drive, with the right-hand knife driven via the intake auger, which is said to minimise vibration. A knife speed increase from 660rpm to 735rpm enables higher forward speeds without compromising cutting performance.
The auger stripper setting is now altered from the rear of the header, encouraging operators to regularly check for correct adjustment, and to ensure even and consistent crop flow. The new auger height adjustment assembly provides two pre-set positions: High, primarily for rapeseed/ canola, and Low for small grains. Change is achieved by simply loosening four bolts and rotating the over-centre cam system.
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.

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