John Deere Secures Record 20-Harvester Deal
The old saying is ‘go big or go home’, which appears to be something that German contracting business Kohl Harvest of Saxony-Anhalt in Bavaria has done with a record order for John Deere.
Two new machines from John Deere increase their offering in the grass harvesting sector.
The new C451R and C461R variable chamber, baler wrapper combinations are said to meet the needs of farmers and contractors.
Mirroring the C441R fixed chamber model, both machines have a full frame chassis for reliability and strength. Additionally, a high capacity feeding system combines with the maker’s Fast Release System for increased outputs.
The manufacturer says the main point of the baler’s design is its performance and ability to work in heavy, wet grass crops, and to deal with dry, often brittle, straw.
Making bales up to 1.85m diameter, the baler has a pick-up with a five-tine bar, cam track design, carrying 6mm tines and stainless steel stripper bands for durability.
There is a choice of feeding systems using a high capacity MaxiCut HC rotor with 13 or 25 knives, with a new reinforced wear resistant Hardox steel rotor also adding to the machine’s overall performance and strength.
The C451R and C461R use a well proven in-line rotor concept, which positively transfers all types of crop through to the bale chamber. This minimises any possibility of crop build-up and uneven feeding. Both versions also have a full width, parallel drop floor system operated from the tractor cab, which enables blockages to be removed easily.
As on the C441R wrapping baler, the C451R and C461R now have a 15% faster wrapper element working at 40 rpm. With a table transfer system 18% faster than on the previous C440R model, the new machine is said to achieve much higher overall productivity.
These new machines also have a tandem axle layout for improved stability and reduced ground compaction.
Joshua Irving has been named the 2026 Ormond Nurseries North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Vets say they support the responsible use of virtual fencing and virtual herding technology for cattle and wants to work with farmers, manufacturers and government to help shape standards for future use backed by ongoing research to strengthen animal welfare outcomes.
National and world records tumbled as top Kiwi axeman claimed two Stihl Timbersports world titles at the same event in Budapest, Hungary over the first weekend in June.
A safety push across New Zealand has revealed significant gaps in hazardous substances management, farm vehicles, tractors, quad bikes and side-by-sides.
New Zealand farmers have earned a global edge by consistently yet cautiously taking advantage of emerging agri-technology.
New season data from LIC shows a strong reproductive performance for the 2025-26 season, with a lift in key metrics compared to last season.

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