Tyres carry more, but with less damage
With larger and more powerful machinery comes increased weight and the potential for greater damage to soil.
Tyre giant Michelin is to spend US$1.45 billion buying Camso, a well-known maker of rubber tracks for farm machines and snowmobiles.
Interestingly, it calls itself a ‘road-free company’: besides agriculture it also makes solid tyre equipment for earthmovers and forklifts.
The two companies will bring their off-road divisions together to form a new operation in Quebec, Canada.
The new entity, expected to be the world leader in off-road mobility, will “provide customers with a range of premium radial tyres and tracks”.
The merger is expected to speed new track and airless tyre technologies such as the already-released Michelin Tweel.
Michelin forsees higher sales and a likely cut in costs of up to $55 million by 2021.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.

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