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.
Announced at the end of the year at the EIMA 2024 Event in Bologna, Italy, the Case IH Quadtrac 715 - the new flagship model in the Case IH tractor range - has won the Tractor of the Year 2025 High-Power Category for models of 300-plus horsepower.
The latest Quadtrac development features a heavy-duty mechanical suspension with hydraulic cushioning, bringing additional comfort and productivity benefits to all MY2025 models.
Bigger drive wheels maximise power transmission and provide more lug engagement, while a larger footprint boosts traction and reduces soil compaction. This is complemented by double-axis midrollers that equalise pressure across each track, eliminating point loading.
Greater comfort allows operation at higher field speeds, enhancing work rates, while service time is minimised through automatic track tensioning, the elimination of undercarriage greasing points, clear-view oil caps and maintenance-free bushings and pins.
The pan-European judging panel of 25 farm machinery journalists based their assessments on areas including engine performance, fuel efficiency and emissions standards, transmission smoothness and reliability.
The new Quadtrac 715 features an FPT Cursor 16 TST twin-stage, turbocharged engine, producing 778hp at 1900 rpm and maximum torque of 3356Nm at 1400rpm, with maintenance-free after-treatment to meet Stage V emissions regulations.
A PowerDrive powershift transmission minimises torque loss, while a multi-controller-mounted, right-hand power-shuttle switch controls driving direction in combination with a left-hand steering column-mounted shuttle.
Other innovations on the latest Quadtrac include configurable buttons allowing operators to set up controls to suit preferences, AccuTurn – a fully automatic headland turn system, an automatic trailed implement steering lock to prevent damage when reversing, and up to 428 l/min of oil flow to match demanding implements.
Comfort and convenience features include automatic pivoting steps and 76,620 lumens total output from a new lighting package. The new Quadtrac 715 also features AccuGuide auto-steering and works with the new Case IH FieldOps monitoring and management app.
“We’re pleased to see this recognition of our engineering team’s hard work in devising new capabilities for the Quadtrac that support large farm enterprises,” said Marco Lombardi, head of Case IH and STEYR brands EMEA.
“This is the most productive tractor Case IH has ever built, providing new levels of power, traction and hydraulic output that will help owners do more in less time and so drive down the total cost of ownership.”
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
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.
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