In the ongoing battle to protect New Zealand’s unique ecosystems from invasive species, two unlikely heroes have emerged - a rust fungus and a small South American weevil. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has granted approval for these biological control agents to be introduced to combat Darwin’s barberry, a noxious weed that has taken root across the country.

The quality of silage is a critical factor in the success of livestock farming. Whether feeding dairy cows, beef cattle, or sheep, the quality of preserved forage directly impacts animal health, production efficiency, and profitability.

The first half of 2025 began strongly for New Zealand’s red meat industry, with export revenues up by 28 percent in the first quarter year‑on‑year despite lower volumes, as demand recovered notably in China. Tight global supply has also helped keep prices elevated.

Healthy soil is the foundation of productive farming, yet it’s also one of the most under-appreciated resources on the land. When compaction builds up, whether from heavy machinery, stock pressure or repeated cropping, it creates a barrier that roots can’t break through and water can’t penetrate.

Canterbury Plains Contracting business owners Sian and Dean Jenkins purchased two Claas Scorpion 741 telehandlers from their local Claas Harvest Centre shortly after they were introduced into New Zealand in late 2024.

With a growing footprint across New Zealand, the Polish manufacturer (together with agricultural machinery specialist, FarmShop) are looking set to reach a bold goal of hay mower market leadership by 2027. What’s driving the success? Thanks is due in large part to the service agents dotted throughout NZ who are putting their reputation behind the brand.

UPL NZ says having man’s best friend on slug patrol isn’t a gimmick. It’s a reality of farming and contracting and a reflection of their confidence in their Ironmax Pro product.

From a single look at the Pottinger Novacat F 3100 Opticurve, it’s immediately apparent that this isn’t just another front-mounted mower. It’s a machine born out of thoughtful engineering and shaped by the real-world demands of farmers and contractors who know what clean forage means for stock performance and who don’t have time for inefficiencies in the paddock.

A Western Australian farm family is using precision tools to understand how to manage different soils and how it determines outcomes on their Woodanilling farm.

There’s a new way to make money this season, one that could add tens of thousands to the bottom line for dairy farms across New Zealand.

In any farming operation where forage quality makes the difference between a good season and a great one, the ability to process and preserve feed at its nutritional peak is critical. That’s why machinery that works with both precision and reliability is not just a convenience, it’s an investment in productivity and profitability.

In an industry where efficiency and environmental responsibility often seem at odds, Biowrap is taking a practical step towards closing that gap. The New Zealand company is introducing a range of landfill - biodegradable agricultural wraps designed to protect valuable crops while helping to address one of farming’s most stubborn waste problems - plastic disposal.

As expectations around bale quality, fermentation and product longevity continue to climb, Independent Wrap has carved out a clear role in delivering premium solutions for contractors and farmers who simply want the job done right.

Despite rising global trade tensions and looming tariff changes, New Zealand exporters remain optimistic and resilient.

For rural contractors, bringing in a young, fresh-faced driver is always a mix of excitement and challenge. They arrive with energy and enthusiasm, keen to get behind the wheel and into the work. But proving their progress and keeping accurate training records can be a job in itself.

Contractors are not your average rural fuel user, so they’re a specialist customer group for Fern Energy, a leading provider of fuel solutions for New Zealand’s rural sector.

Trust in the people behind the work is what makes the difference in viticulture. For Ukko, that trust has been earned over more than 16 years, shaped by experience in the vineyards of Marlborough and expanded through a commitment to delivering smart, scalable solutions that put people, land and long-term value at the centre of everything they do.

This June, Richard Houston - Managing Director of Hanzon Jobs Ltd, packed his boots and headed to the UK to get a first-hand look at what the next wave of Kiwi-bound operators might look like. The goal was simple: find switched-on, practical people with the right attitude and ideally, some horsepower under their belt. But as always, it’s a mixed bag.

A world-first Kiwi-developed food technology that upcycles horticultural waste into high-value products is set to reduce NZ’s dependence on imported food ingredients, cut greenhouse gas emissions, increase grower returns and boost regional employment.

Rural contractors were relieved and encouraged by key presentations from WorkSafe at the four 2025 RCNZ roadshows.