We here in Gisborne like to think our seclusion from other regions gives us a sense of intrigue.

First, thanks to all those members who participated in the Governance referendum which was held online between 18 and 29 May.

As farmers and contractors seek more efficiencies, we see average horsepower climbing while implements get wider, longer or heavier. The biggest change in the last decade is the increase in tractor speeds.

Pottinger has introduced upgrades from the large trailed HIT tedder series to smaller 8-rotor models with working widths of up to 8.86m.

Versatile has a good pedigree when it comes to building tractors. 

Well-known Southland engineering identity Des James recently died after a long illness.

It's fitting in a Rugby World Cup year – and with a draw that looks like New Zealand will be somewhere near the end of the tournament – that JCB distributor Landpower has introduced a special version of the 435S-Agri wheeled loader.

Massey University professor Velmurugu (Ravi) Ravindran has been awarded the New Zealand Society of Animal Production’s McMeekan Memorial Award, the country’s highest honour for a production animal scientist.

Scientists at Massey University have been awarded $480,000 to find out whether vaccinating dairy cattle against the bacterial disease leptospirosis has been fully effective.

There is nothing worse than a dog ‘bolting’ after stock and once it has managed to give you the slip a couple of times it will look for more opportunities.