Ravensdown’s HawkEye Pro Wins Technology Award at Southern Field Days
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
Increasing its offering in New Zealand’s utility vehicle market, Kubota has unveiled its new RTV-X CAB and Long Bed models, purposebuilt to tackle tough farms, job sites and large-acreage properties.
The new arrivals build on Kubota’s well regarded RTV-X range, offering greater comfort, increased hauling capacity and enhanced versatility.
Both models are powered by Kubota’s D1105 diesel engine paired with the VHT-X variable hydrostatic transmission, a combination that delivers smooth control, long service life and confident handling across rough or steep terrain.
The company says the RVT-X CAB improves operator comfort with a fully integrated, factory-installed air-conditioned and heated cab that is quieter interior and protects from the elements. Automotive-grade heating, air conditioning and defrost functions ensure operators remain productive through all weather and seasons.
The CAB features LED headlights, dynamic braking for improved control on descents and a durable steel cargo bed, equipped with hydraulic dumping. Offering true 4WD and a towing capacity of up to 1000kg, the RTV-X CAB delivers good pulling power and stability.
The RTV-X Long Bed caters to operators who need extra hauling capacity, offering a 1.8 metre long steel cargo bed, able to carry a 550kg payload and including adjustable side rails and a tailgate that can be lowered or removed to accommodate oversized loads.
Howard McDonald, product manager – lifestyle, says customers spend long days out in the paddock or on the jobsite and need a machine that keeps up.
“The RTV-X CAB brings even greater comfort to long working days. The air-conditioned cab helps reduce fatigue, while the hydraulic dump bed, upgraded lighting and improved braking control make everyday tasks faster, safer and easier.”
Both models will be available from Kubota dealers from March 2026.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.

OPINION: Election years are usually regarded as the silly season, but a mate of the Hound reckons 2026 is shaping…
OPINION: If farmers poured just a few litres of some pollutant into a stream, the Green Party and the wider…