Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
Valtra's fifth generation model range has been completed with the addition of an allnew Q Series, which fits between the popular T and S Series and offers 230 to 305hp.
Equipped with a 7.4 litre “long stroke” engine – the biggest displacement in this market segment – maximum power is available at the low engine speed of 1,850rpm. Meanwhile, maximum torque stays consistent between 1,000 to 1,500rpm.
Valtra’s EcoPower system has been applied to the entire Q Series range, further reducing fuel consumption, with maximum driving speed is achieved at only 1,500rpm.
The Q Series’ AGCO CVT uses electronic transmission management that automatically selects the lowest possible engine revs for the work to maintain the lowest fuel consumption. It also distributes the power accordingly to the hydraulics, PTO, or transmission.
Weighing in at a claimed ideal of 9.2 tonnes, the maximum gross weight is 16 tonnes. This allows a high payload and legal transporting on the highway. Configured with a longer wheelbase and low overall height, the centre of gravity is kept low, making the tractor very stable.
The Aires Suspension works in combination with that long wheelbase to increase the pulling force of the tractor.
This reduces power hop – given that grip to the ground is increased because of the air suspension’s faster reaction times.
At road speeds, power is transmitted almost purely mechanically. This delivers fast and smooth acceleration, with the cab and the front axle air-suspension systems ensuring a smooth ride in any environment.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
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