Stihl unveils centennial MS 500i chainsaw
Most rural properties wouldn’t be without a chainsaw, so it’s fitting to celebrate the centenary of Andreas Stihl inventing the first portable chainsaw in a Stuttgart workshop in 1926.
FOUR OF NEW ZEALAND'S best are in Germany to compete in the world's premiere woodchopping competition, the Stihl Timbersports Series World Championships 2013.
Kyle Lemon, Shane Jordan, Adam Lowe and five-time series individual champion (STSWC) winner, Jason Wynyard, will join over 100 athletes from more than 20 nations in the annual event. The Kiwi's will be watched by an estimated 10,000 fans at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart over the next two days.
Gearing up for the new challenge they can testify that being an axeman is not for the frail. Accuracy, technique and power are what these hard men bring to bear on their wooden targets.
The first part of the STSWC, a relay competition, will take place on Friday (October 25). Contending countries in teams of four will face-off in four categories; the Single Buck, Standing Chop, Stock Saw and Underhand Chop, to determine the best Timbersports team in the world.
To determine the best individual, a competition will take place the following day in a six-category event, made up of three sawing skills; Single Buck, Hot Saw and Stock Saw and three chopping skills; Standing Chop, Underhand Chop and Springboard Chop.
From Massey in West Auckland, Wynyard is determined to continue his winning streak of four consecutive wins as Stihl Timbersports Series World Individual Champion. He has dedicated 25 years to woodchopping and has won 110 individual world titles.
Wynyard, along with team members, Lemon, Jordan and Lowe are tipped to be team favourites in 2013 – testament to their solid showing of skill, speed and strength over the last three years.
Stihl New Zealand marketing manager Stace Hall says the championship is thrilling to watch and be involved with.
"These men are highly trained and use immense strength to chop and saw their way to victory. We are proud to sponsor this fantastic event and wish the New Zealand team all the best in 2013."
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

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