Diplomatic Incident
OPINION: Your old mate hears an international incident is threatening to blow up the long-standing Anzac alliance as Kiwis and Aussies argue over who wants new Australian resident and former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Prolonged drought in Australia and a downturn in agriculture in the US and Ukraine are affecting the European farm machinery sector.
Exel Industries, the owner of many spray machinery brands, eg Hardi, Tecnoma, Evrard and Agrifac, has closed two factories, at Noyers-Saint-Martin and Saint-Denis-de L’Hotel. Production will be transferred to Beaurainville and Epernay, respectively.
This consolidation into ‘centres of excellence’ will see Beaurainville focus on self-propelled sprayers sold under the Matrot, Evrard and Hardi brands. And Epernay will specialise in self-propelled units for Berthoud and Tecnoma.
The company’s factories at Belleville and Norre Alsley (Denmark) will develop and produce mounted and trailed machines for Berthoud/Tecnoma and the Hardi/Evrard brands, respectively.
The company says the restructure will allow it to focus more on the global brands to make them stronger, clearer and more distinctive.
The Evrard, Matrot and Berthoud brands will offer a range of premium products for large-scale arable farms, while Hardi and Tecnoma will be aimed at the mainstream market.
“This consolidation is not only designed to stimulate innovation and new product development, but to lower production costs and improve quality,” said group chief executive Guerric Ballu.
“The centres of excellence will also allow us to develop new technologies in precision agriculture, electronics, robotics and artificial intelligence.”
Otago Southland Young Farmer Tom Slee has been crowned the Season 58 FMG Young Farmer of the Year after an outstanding performance at the Grand Final in New Plymouth, the first time the event has been held in the region.
New Zealand's red meat sector says it welcomes the Government's focus on trade ahead of the general election in November.
Two year 10 students from Putaruru College and John Paul College in Waikato Bay of Plenty have been crowned the 2026 FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year at the competition's Grand Final in New Plymouth.
With the New Zealand/India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) dominating political debate here, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting New Zealand next week.
Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. They’ve built it from the ground up.
New Zealand’s vegetable sector will take centre stage at Parliament today, celebrating a vital industry and sharing a clear, future focused vision for how it can continue to thrive.

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