Kuhn Group Sales Dip 9% in 2025 but Orders Signal Recovery
Kuhn Group recorded net sales of NZ$2.27 billion in 2025, finishing around 9% lower than in 2024.
To complement recently introduced trailed mower conditioners with centre pivot drawbars, Kuhn has announced the launch of three new models with offset drawbars.
The Kuhn FC 2860, FC 3160 and 3560 TL machines offer mowing widths of 2.67, 3.1 and 3.5m respectively, and the choice of roller or tine-based crop conditioning units.
Why the need for offset or centre-pull drawbars? Without doubt centre-pull machines have the potential for up to 10% more output in large areas because they can operate on either side of the tractor, just like a reversible plough.
By contrast, offset drawbar machines can only work to the right side of the tractor, but cost less.
The new units offer the same key features as the centre-pull units, with Gyrodine swivel headstocks taking care of any PTO problems, even in tight turns, and the Optidisc cutterbar using irregularly spaced discs to achieve crop flow and clean cutting.
A gear-driven conditioner driveline is protected by the Posiguard safety system in the case of foreign objects, and offers the choice of two speeds for best conditioning effect.
The conditioner is also fitted as standard with adjustable swath doors for different following machines, but also has the ability to spread to the machine's full width if required. This is said to promote faster wilting and in most cases can avert at least one following tedder pass.
The machine has extra-large tyres for lower ground pressure and to reduce sward damage, particularly on damp ground.
DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.
While the Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers' lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in the creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.
Waikato farmers have been told that the Government’s new planning system legislation and the region’s Plan Change 1 (PC1) “won’t mesh together very well”.
Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
More than 300 growers, exporters, researchers, service providers and industry leaders will descend on Queenstown later this month for EXPO 2026, the annual conference for New Zealand’s apple and pear sector.