Kuhn Group Sales Dip 9% in 2025 but Orders Signal Recovery
Kuhn Group recorded net sales of NZ$2.27 billion in 2025, finishing around 9% lower than in 2024.
The new Kuhn Performer 3000 (3m working width) extends the existing Performer 4, 5, 6 and 7m tine/disc, deep cultivator range, allowing cutting, mixing, soil loosening and consolidation in one-pass.
The Performer 3000 is also among the first farm machines to get new European road certification guaranteeing a road speed of up to 40km/h.
The Performer allows the farmer, when time is short, to tackle all types of crop residues, thanks to its ability to use individual or combinations of its discs, tines or roller assembly -- the latter also being removeable for autumn cultivations.
As part of the standard equipment, a new hydraulic non-stop safety tine that can be adjusted up to 900kg helps penetration in tough conditions, with the benefit of overload protection if any immovable obstacles are encountered, avoiding any slippage even in difficult conditions.
At the rear of the machine, a choice of two roller assemblies sees the HD-Liner 700 roller designed for consolidation deeper into the soil profile, or a new U-double roller that has a lighter firming effect, but still maintains a high degree of soil crumbling.
Elsewhere in its range, Kuhn has added to the 3m - 7.5m wide Optimer + range with 510mm diameter discs. It has introduced the Optimer XL 100 and 1000 series with larger, 620mm diameter discs, said to provide a 5 - 15cm deeper working capacity.
It achieves excellent penetration thanks to an independent elastomer safety device and wide flange; soil slippage is avoided, suiting the machine to all soil conditions.
Meanwhile, a single disc on each support arm offers greater underframe clearance that in turn helps to reduce blockages.
Available in 3, 3.5 and 4m mounted and 4 and 5m trailed versions, the new Optimer XL range suits tractors from 100 - 300hp. A wide range of rollers, including the new U double roller, allows adaptation to all types of terrain, with hydraulic adjustment from the cab.
DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.
While the Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers' lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in the creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.
Waikato farmers have been told that the Government’s new planning system legislation and the region’s Plan Change 1 (PC1) “won’t mesh together very well”.
Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
More than 300 growers, exporters, researchers, service providers and industry leaders will descend on Queenstown later this month for EXPO 2026, the annual conference for New Zealand’s apple and pear sector.