Kuhn Group Sales Dip 9% in 2025 but Orders Signal Recovery
Kuhn Group recorded net sales of NZ$2.27 billion in 2025, finishing around 9% lower than in 2024.
The new Kuhn Performer 3000, with a 3m working width, extends the existing Performer 4, 5, 6 and 7m tine/disc deep cultivator range that will cut, mix, loosen soil and consolidation it in one pass.
The Performer 3000 is among the first farm machines to get the new European road certification that guarantees a road speed of up to 40km/h.
The Performer can, when an ‘opportunity window’ is short, deal with all types of crop residues thanks to its ability to use individual or the combined elements of discs, tines or roller assembly (the latter is removeable for autumn cultivation).
As part of the standard equipment, a new hydraulic non-stop safety tine adjustable up to 900kg helps penetration in tough conditions, with the benefit of overload protection against immovable obstacles; slippage is avoided even under the most difficult conditions.
At the rear, a choice of two roller assemblies sees the HD-Liner 700 roller designed for firm consolidation deeper into the soil profile, or a new U-double roller that has a lighter firming effect but still maintains a high degree of soil crumbling.
Elsewhere in its range, Kuhn has added to the 3m to 7.5m wide Optimer+ range with 510mm diameter discs; it has introduced the Optimer XL 100 and 1000 series, with larger 620mm diameter discs, said to provide a 5cm to 15cm deeper working capacity.
It achieves excellent penetration via its independent Elastomer safety device and wide flange; soil slippage is avoided, making this a machine for all soil conditions. A single disc on each support arm gives greater underframe clearance that in turn helps to reduce blockages.
Available in 3m, 3.5m and 4m mounted and 4m and 5m trailed versions, the new Optimer XL range adapts well to tractors from 100hp to 300hp.
A wide range of rollers, including the new U double roller, allows adaptation to all types of terrain, with hydraulic adjustment from the cab.
Zespri's sales of kiwifruit for the 2025 season have broken all past records.
Trainee orchard manager Luke St John has won the Central Otago 2026 Young Grower regional title.
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox, has won the 2026 Pukekohe Young Grower regional title.
Fifty-eight selected individuals, companies, and start-ups will exhibit their ideas and cutting-edge solutions at the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards, with Amazon Web Services (AWS), who joins the programme in 2026 as overall sponsor.
A rare piece of New Zealand adventure history will be on display at this year’s Fieldays, with a pair of socks worn by the late Sir Edmund Hillary to take pride of place at the Norsewear site this June.
This month's National Fieldays will again display a strong international flavour, with more exhibitors and overseas delegations in attendance.

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