Halter goes global, but NZ farmers remain core to innovation
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
An increase in the use of trackers is enabling UK police to recover 100s of 1000s of pounds worth of stolen machinery.
According to FarmingUK, Police Scotland recovered £893,000 (NZ $1.72 million) worth of tractors, quad bikes and other farm machinery in 2019.
Such recoveries are continuing into 2020, with £400,000 (NZ $770,000), or 130 vehicles, recovered in the first four months of the year.
FarmingUK says according to insurance provider NFU Mutual, farmers are increasingly using Construction and Agricultural Equipment Security and Registration (CESAR) markings and fitting tracking systems approved by British Insurance research house, Thatcham.
CESAR was established in 2008 as an official construction and agricultural equipment security and registration scheme to prevent theft.
The scheme, paid for by farmers with a one-off cost, offers Datatag ID technologies, a 24/7 UK Contact Centre, and instant access to its database by police.
Scotland Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) coordinator Alan Dron says farmers’ increased uptake in the scheme has been fundamental in helping police to recover stolen machinery.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.
Westgold butter has been named New Zealand's tastiest in a blind tasting conducted by Consumer New Zealand.

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