Buhler name to go
Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and Farm King equipment manufacturer, fully absorbed by Asko, its Turkish majority shareholder.
The Canadian manufacturer Versatile is well known for building no-nonsense 4WD articulated tractors.
Its D100 of 1966 was the first equal size-tyre ‘artic’ produced, then became the seed for many other manufacturers to develop machines of a similar format.
Versatile had chequered ownership over the last 30 years: it was sold to Ford New Holland in 1987, then passed to John Buhler in 2000 then the Versatile name disappeared.
The company is now owned by Rostselmach, of Russia, which since 2007 has brought some stability to the brand and now makes large articulated machines — wheeled and rubber tracked. The latter is called Delta Track with power outputs from 375 to 605hp.
The company also builds a range of front wheel assist (FWA) tractors from 265 to 400hp.
The latest model from Versatile was recently shown to its North American dealers in the form of the new Nemesis series with models in the important 175-220hp segment.
Designed and built in Winnipeg, Canada, the new models, like all other Versatile, uses a 6.7L Cummins power-plant likely to be available eventually up to 250hp; this is mated with a ZF-sourced synchro/powershift transmission. That will be followed by a CVT unit in 2020.
The tractor is said to have the largest cab in the sector.
Loaders are supplied via a relationship with Alo, the parent company of well-known brands Quicke and Trima.
Interestingly, the Nemesis series is expected also to be re-branded and sold as a high horsepower model for Kubota, whose expansion plans include offering a wider product range.
Nemesis was the name of the Greek goddess of vengeance, this name signalling Versatile’s commitment to customers after suffering the largest losses in its history in 2018.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
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