James Blair Named 2026 Young Grower National Champion
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
Croplands Equipment Ltd has appointed Fruitfed Supplies as the nationwide distributor, reinforcing a partnership that dates to 1972, with a collaboration to distribute air-blast sprayers to NZ orchardists.
Developed specifically for vegetable production, the Kilter AX-1 combines artificial intelligence with advanced robotics to identify and target weeds growing among crops. Utilising patented Single Drop Technology, the robot then applies a droplet precisely onto individual weeds while avoiding the growing crop, helping reduce inputs and intervening earlier in the weed growth cycle.
In August and September, a roadshow across both islands will give growers the opportunity to see the technology operating in field conditions, learn more about its potential to reduce labour pressure and improve weed control outcomes.
The lightweight autonomous platform, developed in Norway, has undergone extensive testing in Australian vegetable-growing environments, providing the industry confidence as it introduces the technology to New Zealand growers.
Croplands New Zealand regional manager Rob Marshall says NZ vegetable growers are continually looking for ways to improve productivity while addressing ongoing challenges around labour availability, rising input costs and sustainability requirements.
“The Kilter AX-1 offers a completely different approach to weed management by combining autonomy and artificial intelligence to deliver highly targeted treatment at the plant level.”
Lessons learned through local testing and grower engagement in Australia helped refine the platform for conditions experienced across both countries. The robot’s AI-powered green-on-green detection is said to be capable of identifying weeds at very early growth stages and accurately targeting them, allowing growers to act earlier, reduce pressure on labour resources and maintain cleaner crop beds throughout the season.
Fruitfed Supplies national product manager - machinery, Richard Flatman, says, “We see strong potential for NZ vegetable growers to benefit from the technology, particularly in high-value cropping systems where labour efficiency and precision are critical.”
The Kilter AX-1 is suitable for both conventional and organic production systems and supports a broad range of vegetable crops, with ongoing development continuing to expand its capabilities.
For roadshow details contact Richard Flatman +64 27 246 6344
