Landini Rex 4 vineyard tractor series debuts in NZ
The Landini Rex 4 Series, recently released in New Zealand, is designed with vineyards in mind.
As the pressure mounts to reduce herbicide use and deliver chemicalfree food, farms growing ridge crops are faced with a problem of reducing weed burdens to maintain yields.
German machinery manufacturer LEMKEN offers a viable solution with its Steketee EC Ridger 5, 7 and 9 models, designed for 75cm row widths. The machine works in three stages. Hoeing discs cut weeds on the top and the sides of the ridge, spring tines loosen the voids between the ridges, before being followed by ridging bodies that reinstate the ridge to the desired profile.
The EC-Ridger 5 uses lightweight basic elements for removing weeds from the tops and sides of ridges. It can be front or rear-mounted and is suitable for use in lighter soils and with smaller crops which require less ridging.
The EC-Ridger 7, a rear-mounted unit, features the TRS hoeing element that is particularly well suited for working in difficult conditions. A leaf guard can be added to prevent crops from becoming damaged or buried when the implement hoes move along the sides and rebuilds the ridges.
As an option, the ridging bodies can be replaced by ridging discs for use in lighter soils. Meanwhile, a subsoiler option can be specified for more challenging conditions.
Also rear-mounted, the EC-Ridger 9 comprises a range of tool modules that can be used to adapt the machine to changing conditions and the various growth stages of a developing crop. Featuring a module with blades for hoeing on ridges and a module with hoeing discs for working in between ridges. Depth control wheels ensure that both elements maintain a precise working depth.
Complementary tools available include spring tines, subsoiler, ridging discs and ridging shares, with the individual modules easily selected using the quick-change implement system.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
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