OPINION: Every year, December 5 marks World Soil Day. This date wasn’t chosen at random, it’s the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a passionate advocate for soil stewardship. 

John Hancock has been inducted to the Hawke’s Bay Wine Hall of Fame, recognising the pioneer’s “passion, vision, and unwavering belief in the region’s potential”, and his influence on the course of New Zealand wine.

Hawke’s Bay in 2025 could have provided the backdrop for a great spaghetti western “echoing the good, the bad, and the ugly”, says Brent Linn, founder of Wairiki Wines and Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Wine.

Peter Jones is Director at The Landing and past chair of Northland Winegrowers, with Kim Gilkinson, of Dancing Petrel, now in that role. He casts an eye on the highs and lows of the year.

Kumeu River Winemaker Michael Brajkovich reflects on the year, including the loss of industry icons Peter Babich, Tim Finn and Dr Richard Smart.

United States

Creating a great deal of enthusiasm at Agritechnica, the T5.120 ‘Il Trattore’ styling concept tractor was celebrating the legacy of research and development, engineering, and design expertise, with the concept bearing a striking green and red colouring and styling inspired by the original first Fiat tractor, the Fiat 702 and the ‘Made in Italy’ logo.

Agritechnica was the launchpad for several “new” tractors, most reworks of existing models, but Deutz Fahr ‘s new 8 Series was the result of a clean sheet, with the manufacturer using multiple superlatives such as a ‘Step into the Future and Age of the Titans’.

Slovenian machinery manufacturer SIP has been gaining a loyal following over the last five years, with its heavy-duty units for grass production.

Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.