AGCO and TAFE conclude commercial partnership with $260m share buyback
AGCO Corp has agreed with TAFE to resolve all outstanding disputes and matters related to their commercial relationship.
Warwick and Judy Brown have a history of working with Massey Ferguson that dates back many years.
Their stable already included a MF Super 44 bulldozer, a MF 35 diesel and an older model dating back to 1952.
The collection has been recently added to with the purchase of a new 4708ST and 4708ES, which have quickly become the perfect workhorses on the couple's two Morrinsville dairy farms.
The choice of a simple tractor was helped by their being plenty of contractors in the area to carry out heavy tasks on the farms.
Interestingly, Warwick Brown chose two different specifications, with the 4708ST offering a footstep platform, dry clutch with a synchronised F/R shuttle and mechanical dry brakes. The higher specification 4708 ES has a semi-platform operator station, wet clutch power shuttle for clutchless forward/reverse shifts, and the tractor is fitted with hydraulic wet brakes.
Power comes from AGCO Power 4-cylinder engines producing 82hp and complemented by 342Nm of torque at 1500rpm. The tractors have a 6-speed transmission with high and low ranges that give a choice of 12 forward and 12 reverse speeds and a maximum speed of 33km/h.
At the rear of the tractor a healthy 6200kg lift capacity is very useful, as is the 62L per minute oil flow and the two speed independent PTO system.
Both tractors are fitted with MF self-leveling frontloaders that are in daily use for feeding out and loading tasks.
"The peppy motor is complemented by the synchro gearbox and a comfortable ride, no doubt helped by the radial tyres," Brown told Rural News. "In the time the two tractors have been here we have been pleased with the way they have performed; they are straightforward and simple to operate."
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Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.
A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.
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