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.
An interesting concept emerged at the recent EIMA show in Italy, where Italian company Aries - a front linkage manufacturer - showed its concept FL S3 Tele-End telescopic front-end loader for tractors.
Featuring a telescopic section that is concealed within the lower front arms of the loader, the set up provides up to 1000mm of extension, complemented with up to 16 degrees of articulation in the mid-section.
In the fully retracted position, the FL S3 offers a maximum lift height of 3.79m, which increases to 4.13m when fully extended, although in this position, the payload drops by approximately 600kg.
Initially designed to be used by 80-120hp tractors, ongoing development will include product testing and customer potential, although if it does eventually reach production, the purchase price could be 30 to 40% more expensive than a standard front-end loader.
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.
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