Kubota M7 cracks on for Vic egg farmer
Gippsland’s WillowZen Egg Farm says its new Kubota M7 tractor delivers the power and dependability it needs for its free-range egg operationEstablished in 2014, Victoria’s WillowZen Egg Farm is no stranger to Kubota products.
Kelvin Slade and wife Kumi purchased a Kubota M100GX tractor when they were first starting out, using it to move heavy machinery around their 24-hectare property near the hamlet of Willow Grove, in the state’s scenic Gippsland region.
Utilising an open-pasture, free-range approach, the farm generates high-quality ethical produce the couple then sells to local families, farmers’ markets, and smaller grocery stores across Victoria.
Each morning, eggs are collected from the farm’s mobile chicken trailers, before they’re cleaned, graded and stored in a cool room, with the hens moved to a new pasture each week as part of a regenerative farming system.
Related reading:
Kubota reveals updated flagship M7-2 workhorse
Kubota's new entry-level side-by-side offers power and simplicity
Robotic strawberry harvester one step closer to market
Proven performance
As the Kubota M100GX had delivered proven performance over many years, the couple didn’t look far when it recently came time to update.
“The most important thing for me on the farm is reliability,” said Mr Slade.
“When I use a tractor or any machinery, I want it to work and within the time I have set aside for the job.
“I liked the Kubota M100GX tractor the first time I sat in it. It felt like a machine I could easily manage – it didn’t feel complicated.
“Over the six years of using the M100GX I didn’t experience any faults and the tractor did everything I asked it to.”
Onwards and upwards
The Kubota M100GX has now made way for a Kubota M7-152, and Mr Slade says its higher horsepower, front end loader capacity, front three-point linkage and power take off (PTO) all add up to greater efficiency.
“In order to operate the regenerative farming system, it is essential we move our chicken trailers to new pasture weekly,” he said.
“The WillowZen farm is on undulating country, so we need a reliable tractor that can deal with all types of terrain and weather conditions.
“The M7-152 effortlessly manages the terrain and can be easily fitted with a range of attachments, including the Kubota mulcher. The mulcher helps thicker pasture to break down and release micronutrients and a biosphere of invertebrates for our hens. This is an important process at WillowZen, allowing us to produce high quality eggs.”
Chicken and egg
And WillowZen’s Kubota fleet doesn’t end there – the farm also has an RTV-X1120 to collect and transport eggs across the property.
“Every day of the year, we have to get our eggs from the trailers and back to the cool room, without fail,” said Mr Slade.
“The Kubota RTV is our most reliable egg collection vehicle that can get through any mud or rain. In the past we have had other vehicles become stuck but the RTV has never gotten bogged.”
The Slade’s operation demands careful management and attention year-round, and the couple know they can depend on their Kubota equipment to get the job done.
“When people mention they are thinking of buying a tractor I recommend Kubota every time,” Mr Slade said.
For more information visit www.kubota.com.au
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.