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.
Suzuki was the first on four wheels right back in 1982, when Suzuki importer of the day Rod Coleman developed the successful LT125.
Today, with around 38 years of engineering improvements and advancement, Suzuki boasts a line-up of ATVs with features that make everyday farming just that little bit more comfortable.
Suzuki’s quad range features models with engine sizes from 400 – 750cc, with features like power steering, independent suspension, fuel-injected engines and automatic transmissions with strong engine braking.
The latest KingQuad 500 and 750 models utilise a new frame design using heavier 2mm tubing, with updated fully independent suspension offering 172mm and 194mm, front and rear wheel travel respectively. This is complemented by uprated shock absorbers with newly tuned damping forces. Further improvements in the rear stabiliser help deliver a safer and more comfortable ride, while towing capacity, delivered through a new square receiver tow hitch, climbs to 600kg.
Bringing things to a stop safely falls to dual front discs, with 190mm rotors, aided by a sealed, oil-bath multidisc rear brake with 106mm discs, while getting things pointing in the right direction is the job of the newly updated power steering system.
![]() |
---|
Towing capacity, delivered through a new square receiver tow hitch, climbs to 600kg. |
Up front, a multi-function instrument panel with service reminder icon keeps the operator informed of all the machine’s key functions, with a handlebar-mounted headlight offering excellent visibility for early starts or late finishes. Meanwhile a flush mounted LED-style rear taillight is well protected from bumps and knocks out on the farm.
Living with the latest KingQuad is also easy given the multitude of storage compartments, including a front waterproof storage and two rear storage compartments that can carry all the tools needed out on the farm. Of course, for those looking to customise their machines even further, Suzuki offers an extensive range of genuine accessories.
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).
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is…
OPINION: Once upon a time the Fieldays were for real farmers, salt of the earth people who thrived on hard…