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.”
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
OPINION: A simpler, clearer, more effective Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
Too many farmers put reclaiming excise duty on petrol into the "too-hard" basket, says farm accounting software provider, Farm Focus.
Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company has confirmed that chair and director Stephen Allen will retire at the co-operative's annual general meeting (AGM) on 3 December 2026, ending 30 years of service, including more than 20 years as Chair.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, wants environmental information to be treated as critical national infrastructure.
A Morrinsville business celebrating its 30th birthday has shaken up the street scene in the Waikato township.