Posts Tagged ‘AGCO Australia’

Leading Australian Shellfish Company Trusts Massey Ferguson Quality in Marine Conditions.

Shellfish Culture’s MF2615 pulling a haul of oysters back to shore

Massey Ferguson tractors are versatile machines usually found working in a paddock, assisting farmers improve efficiencies and output.

But the versatility of MF tractors means that they are also suitable for applications that may seem a little surprising.

Shellfish farming in Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost state, is one such unique application.

With one of the most isolated stretches of pristine ocean lapping its’ shores, Tasmania is the perfect place to farm shellfish and reliable, quality built tractors are needed to do it.

Local Tasmanian company, Shellfish Culture, has been operating Australia’s first Pacific oyster hatchery since 1979. Thirty five years on, the company is at the forefront of innovation and excellence in aquaculture, growing from a cooperative to now the largest shellfish seed producing company in Australia.

Shellfish Culture uses Massey Ferguson tractors in their harvesting and management of oyster farms. Impressed by the quality and reliability of their older MF435 compared to other brand tractors, the company later purchased a new MF2615. Both tractors spend a lot of hours in salt water, instead of high and dry on a paddock.

The tractors are driven from the farm’s beaches into the sheltered water as part of the farm’s regualar operations. They are used to haul oyster baskets and barges back onto the shore and spend many hours partially submerged.

The tractors are washed down daily and checked regularly during routine maintenance by staff and are proving to be reliable workhorses in the corrosive salt water conditions, compared to the company’s previous tractors.

MF tractors are an integral part of the company’s production of high quality oysters that find their way into markets and on dinner plates around the world.

In November 2013, typhoon Yolande caused catastrophic destruction when it hit the Philippines. The powerful storm left a scarred landscape and immense hardship for local families and businesses.

AGCO Australia is very pleased to donate a MF445 fitted with a rotovator and harrow to the Department of Agriculture Regional Office in Leyte.  Leyte is a small island 800kms from Manila that was severely affected by the typhoon.

The donation was presented at an official handover ceremony in mid-December, with government dignitaries and media representatives at Quezon City, Manila.

The tractor will be utilised in the enormous cleanup, which will involve rebuilding shattered local infrastructure, clearing debris and removing fallen trees.

We would also like to thank our distributors, Equity Machineries Inc., who assisted with the co-ordination of this much appreciated donation.

Bong (L), Peter (C) and Mark (R) present the MF445 to Department of Agriculture Officials in Manila

At regional machinery exhibition with his wife, Darryl Lush took a test drive on a new Fendt 626 Favourit and thought “someday I want to have this Fendt on my farm”. That was some 30 years ago.

Fendt produced only 65 Favorit 626 models, with an estimated six units exported to Australia. Two of these tractors would end up at Darryl’s 2200 hectare property near Gunnedah, northern NSW.

Darryl grows wheat, canola, sorghum and cotton and also operates a small construction business undertaking earthworks mainly in the region, but from time to time has ventured as far as Melbourne. It was this business that first introduced Darryl to Fendt tractors – he has been hooked ever since.

Finding a tractor that was be suitable for his business proved difficult. After approaching several other manufacturers with little success, fortuitously,  a neighbor suggested Darryl take a look at Fendt. A suggestion that had lasting result.

Darryl’s first Fendt was a Favourit 612 LS, which gave him many years of faithful service. His next,was the first of two Favorit 626 LS. The 626 gave him the edge over many of his competitors in construction.

“On large construction sites I would have some friendly competition with other operators, but at the end of the day the 626 would always be more capable” He said proudly.

Today, Both Darryl and his 626 put in fewer hours, pulling a chaser bin during harvest and occasionally small construction jobs in the local area.

“I am very attached to my 626 Favorit, but if someone makes me a good offer, enough that I could buy a new 900 Vario, I would probably be weak,” laughs Darryl.

Images of Darryl’s Favorit 626 are available on Fendt Global.

It is harvest time in Australia!
Following the harvest corridor through Australia, seven MF9500 combine demos have hit the paddocks to show customers and local dealers what the MF9500 is made of.
Check out Part 1 of our MF9500 Demo Program – filmed in Queensland and New South Wales.

In 2011, Massey Ferguson proudly became a major sponsor of Melbourne’s new Super 15’s Rugby Team, the Melbourne Rebels, in their inaugural year.

Massey Ferguson Proud Sponsors of the Melbourne Rebels.

The Super 15’s Rugby competition has been revamped for 2011, providing spectators across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with new teams, more games and more finals.

“It’s an honour to be associated with the new Melbourne Rebels team in their inaugural year,” says Managing Director of AGCO Australia, Warwick McCormick. “We believe it’s a good fit – the Melbourne Rebels have a strong sense of community and so do we; which is evident in our close relationship with the rural community.”

“The significance of the Super 15’s being an international competition, ties in perfectly with Massey Ferguson as we also have a global presence,” adds Mr. McCormick. “We also feel a large part of our rural customer base has a strong following of the sport.”

The Melbourne Rebels engaged in a number of close and thrilling matches both within Australia and overseas this year and have proven their presence in this exciting competition. With the first season now completed, we congratulate them and look forward to seeing them superior in the 2012 season! Go Rebels!

What is your community’s favorite sports team?