Editorial: Sense at last
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
While electric and hybrid vehicles gain traction on our roads, the concept is largely missing from the rural and off-road markets. But Hisun Motors New Zealand is ‘dipping its toes’.
It chose Fieldays to showcase its all electric Hisun Sector E1 UTV -- a mid-size, two-seat unit powered by a 48V AC drivetrain of 36hp and 298 Nm of torque.
The E1 is said to be the first electric UTV to use Discover Traction Dry Cell battery technology that has long run times and needs no maintenance.
Hisun claims the Sector E1 will operate for up to eight hours on a single charge, has a top speed of 45km/h and a range of up to 70km depending on driving style, terrain and load.
Several E1 machines have been field tested on NZ farms and the performance has matched factory estimates.
The E1 can be fully charged in six-eight hours via an onboard charging cord, located in the glovebox, which plugs into a standard 240v domestic power outlet.
Standard features include 4-wheel independent nitrogen suspension, 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, front diff lock, tilting tray, alloys and bull bars.
Load capacity for the cargo bed is 230kg and towing capacity is 680kg. Price is $16,500 + GST.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.