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The theme for this year's Wheat and Wheels Rally is 100 Years of Farmall Tractors.
Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of Ashburton on 6-7th April.
Organised by the Mid-Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club, the theme of this year’s event is 100 Years of Farmall Tractors.
Set on a 20ha site, with a further 3ha of standing wheat set aside to demonstrate vintage harvesters, organisers report that they are expecting more than 1000 exhibits. These include tractors and agricultural machinery, classic cars and motorcycles, stationary engines and a large display of military vehicles including a tank. Starting at 10.30 each day, a continuous parade will run until 3.30pm.
Giving visitors a chance to compare historic machinery with todays high tech modern equivalents, there will also be displays of units such as John Deere’s X9 harvester equipped with a 45-foot header, an example of Case IH’s impressive QuadTrac and a high output Agrifac self-propelled sprayer.
Previously attracting up to 4000 visitors over the two days, those looking to chance their luck will have the opportunity to take part in a raffle to win a gold-bellied Massey Fergusson 35, with surplus proceeds heading to the Westpac Helicopter Appeal.
The arrival of new F8 and F9 designations for its 8000 and 9000 series forage harvesters, signals a swag of upgrades from John Deere, highlighted by topping the 1000hp mark for the first time.
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Ashburton-based Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the lower North Island and the South Island, effective August 1, 2025.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Samasz distributor FarmShop has introduced the new XDF Series Front Mowers, said to be refined for local conditions and to improve cutting precision and wear resistance.
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According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
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