Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
A free cab kit is on offer to buyers of Honda’s Pioneer 700-2P side by side, on show at Fieldays.
For a limited time every order will include a free roof, screen, wiper and tow hitch with a combined value of $2367.
The Pioneer 700-2P is New Zealand’s largest selling such machine, says Honda, and its features are “crucial to the day-to-day running of NZ farms”.
“It gives a smooth ride, has class leading stability and a well proven, fuel efficient engine with power to get the job done.”
It’s powered by a 675cc liquid cooled engine with fuel injection for easy starting in cool weather and better operation at higher altitudes.
The automatic transmission and heavy duty torque converter make the Pioneer 700-2P the only completely mechanical automotive style automatic in its class, Honda says.
The torque converter and three hydraulic clutches provide positive engine braking. And unlike typical belt drive systems the machine’s true gear based mechanical driveline is not subject to the problem of belt stretch or breakage under heavy load.
Automatic mode can be overridden with steering column mounted, paddle style shifters, and the change from fully auto to manual selection is controlled by a dash mounted toggle switch.
It has long travel suspension – 200mm movement up front and 230mm at the rear – and the rear set-up also has pre-load adjustment to cope with impressive load carrying ability.
A large, hydraulically assisted tilt bed is complemented by the ability to tow 680kg.
Braking falls to 200mm hydraulic discs up front and 170mm units at the rear.
For safety, operators are prompted to use seatbelts by a seat belt Interlock feature which limits maximum speed if the belt is not used. A sturdy protective cab, doors and side nets also favour the driver.
Honda will be at site E29 at Fieldays.
The challenges of high-performance sport and farming are not as dissimilar as they may first appear.
HortNZ's CEO, Kate Scott says they are starting to see the substantial cumulative effects on their members of the two disastrous flood events in the Nelson Tasman region.
In an ever-changing world, things never stay completely the same. Tropical jungles can turn into concrete ones criss-crossed by motorways, or shining cities collapse into ghost towns.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…
OPINION: The huge success of former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson's new TV show, Clarkson's Farm, and the boost it…