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.
Agco Corporation has unveiled plans to build a new Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) at Amnéville (Les Portes de l’Orne) on the outskirts of Metz in the Mosselle region, just 12km from its existing Ennery site.
As part of a total investment of approximately €87 million, the €17 million low-emission, sustainable PDC will primarily serve Europe and the Middle East (EME) and be the master depot for supplying parts into North America, South America and Asia Pacific from Europe.
Intended to be operational by the end of 2026, the new development further commits to the existing 30 years that the company has in the Metz metropolitan area and delivers a facility that covers 84,000m² under roof on an approximately 200,000m² site.
Over the past 30 years, the existing Ennery site has expanded to accommodate the growth of brands, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, PTx and Valtra. The new facility will continue to serve all AGCO brands by consolidating five facilities into one operation with enhanced environmental, safety and operational excellence, including 24/7 ecommerce parts ordering for dealers and farmers.
The new development will also focus on sustainability, with solar panels on the entire roof, to produce renewable energy to help power operations, including automated processes, air conditioning and recharging of electric vehicles. Rainwater will also be harvested at the new site by collecting, filtering, storing and reusing rainwater for cleansing areas and sanitary usage, ensuring efficient use and conservation for freshwater resources.
Additionally, the relocation to Amnéville (Les Portes de l’Orne) will contribute to revitalising an area that has been vacant for more than a decade, starting with soil decontamination, followed by recultivation and minimising artificial land coverage.
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Northlanders scooped the pool at this year's prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards - winning both the main competition and the young Maori farmer award.
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
The days of rising on-farm inflation and subdued farmgate prices are coming to an end for farmers, helping lift confidence.
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…