Friday, 30 May 2025 12:55

Shearing legend hooked on CanAm

Written by  Mark Daniel
Sir David Fagan says that once you try a CanAm, you don’t go back. Sir David Fagan says that once you try a CanAm, you don’t go back.

Sir David Fagan, world-renowned competitive sheep shearer with 642 shearing titles worldwide and a knighthood to his name, now runs beef and dairy operations near Te Kuiti with wife Wendy and son Jack.

Farming in the region brings its share of challenges, especially the unpredictable climate, extended droughts and hilly terrain.

In light of these challenges, Sir David relies on a fleet of Can-Am side-by-sides, including a XMR Defender HD10, a Defender HD10 and an XT Defender HD10 Limited.

Having discovered the Can-Am brand after being encouraged by his local dealer to take a Defender test drive, Sir David was impressed by the superior design and performance of the Can-Am side-by-side, allowing himself and his family to get necessary tasks done around the farm, from carrying equipment to moving stock.

The enclosed cab ensures that everyone stays warm and dry during the area’s cold winters.

And ever practical, Sir David keeps a toolbox and a selection of tools under the front seat for any maintenance jobs around the farms.

The Visco-Lok autolocking front differential, which is customisable for different terrains, helps maintain control in slippery or uneven conditions on his undulating property.

Performance is also important, and Sir David knows the Can-Am Defenders are more than capable of handling any tasks in tough New Zealand conditions and can be relied on.

Recognising the importance of regular maintenance and valuing the relationship he has with his local dealer, he appreciates the fact that the 200-hour service intervals mean there’s less down time between visits.

“Once you try a Can- Am, you don’t go back,” says Sir David, who is optimistic about the future of farming, citing the essential role farmers play in food production and New Zealand’s agricultural exports.

Sir David Fagan is a rural ambassador of Can-Am and will be appearing on Can-Am’s Fieldays site (G66-68) throughout the event.

More like this

Advanced seeding technology on show

Available as part of the Lemken portfolio, a leading name in advanced seeding technology, Equalizer, sees its CII 8/762N Planter arrive in the New Zealand marketplace via Lemken dealers.

New design Claas tractors set for Fieldays debut

Well known for its dominance in the harvesting arena, Claas has channelled its engineering excellence and a deep knowledge of the ag industry with the Fieldays release of the 2025 facelift Claas Arion 600C Evolution and Claas Night Edition Arion 660 tractors.

Woolpress working like a dream

As the maker of the TPW Woolpress celebrates its 50th anniversary, one Christchurch company is singing the praises of the machine, which has been a centrepiece of its operation for most of that time.

Featured

National

DairyNZ Farmers Forum underway

Over 300 farmers and rural professionals have gathered in Hamilton for the first DairyNZ Farmers Forum for this year.

Machinery & Products

Shearing legend hooked on CanAm

Sir David Fagan, world-renowned competitive sheep shearer with 642 shearing titles worldwide and a knighthood to his name, now runs…

50 years of tractor pull

This year, the Fieldays Tractor Pull, in association with PTS Logistics, mark a major milestone – 50 years of crowd-thrilling…

The Wrangler's birthday bash

It's the Wrangler Limited’s 30th birthday and to celebrate the milestone a prototype of the E Series Wrangler - a…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Free speech

OPINION: The Free Speech Union is taking this one too far.

Drug survey

OPINION: New national data from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), a leading workplace drug tester, shows methamphetamine (meth) use is…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter