increase font size
Since its launch in 1991 Väderstad has sold almost 28,000 machines to farmers worldwide.
Väderstad, one of the world’s leading companies in tillage, seeding and planting, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Rapid seed drill, that since its launch in 1991 Väderstad has sold almost 28,000 machines to farmers worldwide.
Featuring unique seed coulters and an ingenious seed depth control system, the original Rapid was developed to work in all soil conditions and undertake several operations at once.
Nicknamed the universal or ‘Jeep’ of seed drills within the company, one of the major reasons for its success was the fact that it carried out seedbed preparation, levelling, drilling, and reconsolidation in one pass, while at the same time offering a reliable seeding result at a high working speed.
Behind the seed coulters, the large packer wheels have become a real trademark of the Rapid, creating good seed-to-soil contact even in tougher soils.
The offset of the packer wheels sees every second wheel moved 190 mm rearwards on a separate axle, to offer lower vibration, higher drilling precision and a reduction of up to 25% in draught requirement.
Twin rotor swathers have become the ‘go-to’ for forming swaths to feed hungry harvesters and balers, however, the design layout often means that crop located between the two rotors is not picked up, turned over or incorporated into the swath formed for subsequent harvesting.
Operating large tractors became more expensive back in March due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz conflict, meaning contractors had to introduce fuel surcharges and farmers had to adjust their budget forecasts.
Close to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, Motueka is known for apples, pear and kiwifruit orchards, alongside specialised crops such as hops. Indeed, that specialisation, saw the area being the New Zealand centre of the tobacco growing, until the early 1980s.
Can-Am has introduced its 2027 range of side-by-side vehicles (SSV) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), including the industry leading Defender, the Maverick R and the hugely capable Outlander ATV, incorporating a host of advancements designed to deliver an exceptional riding experience.
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
