Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
Agricultural machinery distributor, Landpower Group, has acquired the Canterbury- based Claas Harvest Centres in Ashburton, Templeton, Timaru, Waipara, and Westland from the Carrfields Group.
Founded by Greg Carr more than 45 years ago, Carrfields Group operates numerous agribusiness companies, involved in the livestock, grain and seed, contracting, machinery, irrigation and natural fibres arenas.
Under a franchise agreement with Landpower, Carrfields has provided the Claas Harvest Centre range of machinery brands to the Canterbury, West Coast and Tasman farming communities since 1993. It has established a strong reputation for Claas, Amazone and JCB by focusing on a high level of service and support for its customers.
“While it’s the end of an era for our family with the CLAAS Harvest Centre franchise, we know our people at each location will have the opportunity to further develop their careers within the wider Landpower network.”
Landpower chief executive Richard Wilson says Canterbury’s Claas Harvest Centres will continue to be based on the local relationships at the heart of the successful regional dealerships.
“Landpower is also a family-owned business, where each branch has autonomy and a ‘run it like you own it’ mentality, so that it will be business as usual for the five Canterbury CLAAS Harvest Centres under our ownership.”
The unconditional sale, which takes effect on Monday, 3 July 2023, will see the five Canterbury Claas Harvest Centres being joined by the new Landpower Claas Harvest Centre at Yaldhurst, scheduled for completion in March 2024.
The deal includes all stock, motor vehicles, and plant and equipment, while Carrfields will retain ownership of the properties and lease them to Landpower organisation. All team members dedicated to the Claas, Amazone and JCB products sold and serviced through the Canterbury Claas Harvest Centres will be offered ongoing employment with Landpower.
Carrfields will continue operating its machinery division under the Carrfields Machinery brand, offering premium products that are not part of the CLAAS Harvest Centre franchise provided by Landpower.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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