In a sector where every droplet of precision counts, Croplands and Norwood have taken a major step forward for New Zealand’s growers.

The Registered Contractor scheme run by Rural Contractors NZ has been relaunched.

When the people who keep the wheels of our rural economy turning start struggling with the very rules meant to keep them moving, it’s time for a reality check.

C B Norwood Distributors Limited has announced the appointment of well-known agribusiness executive and livestock farmer, John Skurr, to the position of General Manager, effective 3 November 2025.

Precision spraying continues to evolve at pace and Topcon Agriculture has once again shown why it remains a leader in the field with the launch of the UC7 Plus.

Nokian tyres has introduced Intuitu 2.0 and it marks a genuine step forward for farmers who want to get the best out of their machinery without all the hassle of working out tyre pressures for different jobs.

There’s a renewed sense of optimism across New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector this spring, and for good reason.

Contracting father and son team, Craig and Josh Pilet, are silage experts who have operated their family-owned lower North Island business for almost four decades.

Maize and fodder beet remain crucial crops in New Zealand agriculture, providing reliable dry matter yields to fill feed gaps through winter. Both crops require true precision at sowing and harvest, with dedicated planters and specialist machinery delivering the best results. In this feature we look at the latest maize and beet technology available to contractors.

When Brian Hughes first set out contracting across Southland in the mid-1980s, there was little time to think about where the road might lead.

Arable growers could be forgiven for feeling like the poor cousins of the primary sector this year as dairy, red meat and horticulture enjoy strong prices and renewed confidence.

Farmers across Australia and New Zealand now have a unique new tool in John Deere’s Harvest Profit, a convenient cost and profit tracking software platform that offers near-real time profitability monitoring across crops and fields.

GPS technology is transforming modern agriculture, helping farmers lift yields, reduce inputs and protect the environment. In this feature, leading manufacturers and distributors of precision farming technology outline their latest guidance systems, section control, mapping, telematics, data management and other advanced tools driving greater accuracy and efficiency on-farm.

Across the country, the red and white logo of Power Farming is a familiar sight on tractors, balers, mowers and cultivation gear, but behind every machine sits a team whose collective knowledge and passion keep those brands at the forefront of New Zealand agriculture.

Northern Victoria dairy farmer Brady Hore says the key to putting the best feed in front of his cows is through thorough planning, backed by a strong working relationship with his contractor.

When this magazine first profiled John Austin Ltd back in 2001, the Waikato-based business had already built a reputation for precision, reliability and scale.

With the Government’s wholesale reforms of the Resource Management Act including various national policies, rural contractors are asking; what about a national standard for air plans?

The JCB 457S Agri marks a major step forward in large-scale agricultural loading machinery, built to meet the demands of contractors and big farming operations across New Zealand. With a rated operating weight just over 20 tonnes and peak output of 282 horsepower, it brings a power-to-weight ratio of around 14 horsepower per tonne giving it the strength and speed to handle the toughest silage clamp or feed-pad jobs.

New Zealand orchard and grape growers will be impressed by John Deere’s new 5EN specialty narrow tractors, which enable operators to work with more power through narrow vineyards or tree rows in a cab built for comfort. Erin Wagstaff, Australia and New Zealand Small Ag and Turf Marketing Manager, said the 5090EN and 5105EN specialty tractors were purpose-built for vineyard and orchard operations and build on the success of John Deere’s 5ML orchard tractor.

Cutting smarter rather than harder has become the new standard for Kelvin Richardson, owner and operator of KJR Contracting who runs a busy operation based southeast of Te Awamutu. Every season brings the same familiar pressures, tight weather windows, large areas to cover and clients expecting quality feed when they need it. For Kelvin, staying ahead means constantly looking for better ways to work.