Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
An integral spring in the float arm of the Springarm ballcock deflects, rather than breaks, when nudged by livestock.
After walking away with a Fieldays Innovation Award back in June 2021, Springarm Products has now signed a sole marketing agreement with Dannevirke-based Metalform.
Probably best known for its Tow and Fert system, Metalform will sell the clever product to farmers, landowners and lifestylers, many of whom will recount tales of dealing with water trough valves broken by livestock.
In the case of the Springarm, as the name suggests, an integral spring in the float arm deflects rather than breaking - saving water, time, money and frustration.
It was conceived by farm manager Ric Awburn when he was standing at an empty trough one evening watching the cows nudging the ballcock until the arm snapped.
He thought, "if only the arm could give a little".
Fast forward to two years later, a durable and reliable ballcock arm, that is easy to install for all types of valves, is now ready to roll out.
The Opportunity Party has faced criticism during the election campaign that its policies are too urban-focused and offer little for rural communities.
The chair of the country's environmental regulator, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), says changes are already under way to improve the performance of the agency to better meet the needs of those who interface with them.
Alliance Group's $16 million programme to install innovative heat pump systems at its Otago and Southland processing plants wins a New Zealand Energy Excellence Award after cutting annual emissions by more than 24,000 tonnes of CO₂e.
The arable sector losing good people and land is a major concern for the 2026 Arable Farmers of the Year, Mid Canterbury seed growers John and Mel McCaw.
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
Bigger, bolder salads packed with colour, crunch and flavour are making headlines overseas — and the arrival of fresh spring vegetables means New Zealanders can now get chopping too, creating their own Great Kiwi Spring Salad.