Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
In a move that will make harvesting operations easier, particularly in odd-shaped paddocks, Kuhn has announced that GPS section control is now available on the FC 9330 RA mower conditioner, the GA 13231, and GA 15231 four-rotor rakes.
GPS section control automates the raising and lowering of mower units (FC 9330 RA) or swathing rotors (GA 13231 / 15231) at the headland or during manoeuvres.
Automation allows the operator to concentrate on the task of driving, and GPS section control automation will provide extra productivity during intensive work, at peak season, or when operating in restrictive or wedge-shaped fields.
Manual control of the machine is still possible via the control terminal or the ISOBUS CCI A3 joystick. The FC 9330 RA and GA 13231/15231 machines are compatible with ISOBUS CCI 800 and 1200 terminals for section control by GPS but also for use with other ISOBUS terminals.
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Northlanders scooped the pool at this year's prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards - winning both the main competition and the young Maori farmer award.
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
The days of rising on-farm inflation and subdued farmgate prices are coming to an end for farmers, helping lift confidence.
A blockbuster year and an exciting performance: that's how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith is describing the massive upsurge in the fortunes of the primary sector exports for the year ended June 2025.