Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition
Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to farmers.
The Spartan II is available with 6-inch or 7.5-inch row spacing, alternate row seding, individual row shut-off and individual row depth control.
The Great Plains Spartan II triple disc, no-till air drill range has been updated to meet the evolving New Zealand market.
The Spartan II is available with 6-inch or 7.5-inch row spacing, alternate row seeding, individual row shut-off and individual row depth control. All the machines have double-shoot capability, making for versatility in the compact no-till, air drill market.
Enhancements to the MY2020 NTA607-2 Spartan, first released in 2018, sees a revised hydraulic circuit design. This optimises the proven active row-unit down pressure system, as well as folding to ensure every seed is planted at the correct depth to maximise germination.
Other improvements include upgrades to more durable 18-ply rear castor tyres and a redesigned row-unit mounting bracket for increased durability and reduced maintenance. A software update also supports the use of prescription maps for variable rate application to ensure growers maximise efficiency and profitability.
“Given the Spartan’s popularity in fodder production and pasture renovation, the Spartan 2’s blockage monitor system has been optimised to work better with small, low-rate pasture seeds such as ryegrass,” says Great Plains product manager for Australia and New Zealand John Moloney.
“We’re very excited to bring this updated Spartan II to the New Zealand market. The new enhancements will help our customers overcome the challenges of operating in a tough New Zealand landscape,” Moloney adds.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
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.

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