Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
The Brandt Group of Companies has announced that they have partnered with John Deere and Waratah to make a $160,000 donation to the New Zealand Red Cross.
The contribution will be used to support emergency management agencies on the frontline of North Island to help with clean-up and repair efforts, underway since Cyclone Gabrielle in February.
"The damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has directly impacted our customers, our employees and the communities they call home," says Brandt chief executive, Shaun Semple. "We are eager to do whatever we can to support them through our participation in the North Island recovery effort."
Luke Chandler, managing director of John Deere Limited - Australia & New Zealand, says it is important to Deere and Waratah that members of affected communitie know that they have their back.
"We are proud to stand strong with the people of New Zealand during this very difficult time."
Brandt has 17 branch locations across the North Island serving hundreds of local customers who are actively working on the recovery effort. In addition to the financial support, Brandt has also put a significant amount of equipment to work, including numerous tractor and labour donations in cooperation with local citizens working to restore essential services as quickly as possible.
"Kiwis are a tough, resilient people who will ultimately rise above this tragedy," Semple adds. "We will do whatever we can to support rebuilding and recovery efforts. We are grateful for the support of North Islanders over the years and are honoured to step up in this time of need."
Brandt's Cyclone Gabrielle donation is being made via Brandt's 'Thanks A Billion' philanthropic program.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).