Kubota tests diesel engines
Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.
Kubota, well known for its smaller lifestyle tractors and farm units to 100hp, about a year ago announced it would build a range of higher powered models.
Following up on this promise the company recently celebrated opening its new 115,000 sq m European factory at Dunkerque, not far from the infamous Channel Tunnel. This location puts it near the ports of Calais and Dunkerque, and gets it a welcome from the local council keen to see more jobs.
The factory will produce the new M7 series tractors from 130-170hp with 4-cyl cylinder engines and ZF-sourced transmissions. Early production will be for the European and North American markets, and further destinations as production ramps up. Small scale production has been underway since April, and volumes will rise to around 3000 units per annum by 2017.
Though considered a small player in the over 60hp market, Kubota's annual turnover of Euro 11 billion surpasses that of the US machinery giant Agco.
Around 45% of sales are in the home market in Japan, but this percentage is falling as development plans in Europe and North America come to fruition.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.