BEEF WEEK 2026 East Gippsland Newspapers 15 Thursday, January 29, 2026 Kia Australia has strengthened its Tasman line-up, adding Single Cab Chassis and Dual Cab Chassis models to meet the needs of farmers and fleet operators seeking practical, work-ready vehicles. All models feature the Tasman's advanced 4x4 drivetrain. Fleet buyers can pair their cab-chassis Tasman with Kia Genuine Accessories, including trays, under-tray drawers, toolboxes, and water tanks, allowing a tailored setup for work and agriculture. The Tasman is engineered for serious towing, with a braked capacity of 3500kg and a tow ball rating of 350kg. All models feature an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (ITBC), which allows drivers to finetune trailer brake force across 20 levels, while Trailer Stability Assist helps control sway automatically. Additional towing features include Tow Mode, which adjusts transmission logic for heavy loads, and Trailer Mode, which optimises active safety systems when towing. Drivers can also save specific trailer setups via the Tasman's multimedia system for easier repeat trips. Under the bonnet, the Tasman is powered by a 154kW/440Nm 2.2L turbo diesel engine, supported by heavy-duty cooling systems for engine and transmission. Built on an all-new ladder frame, the Tasman is offered across five trims — S, SX, SX+, X-Line, and X-Pro — in 4x2 and 4x4 variants. Payloads exceed 1000kg, with the top-spec X-Pro 4x4 carrying 1013kg, while the Dual Cab Pick-Up features a tub capable of holding a full Australian pallet and 1336 litres of storage. Other farmer-focused features include under-seat storage up to 45 litres, sliding and reclining rear seats in X-Line and X-Pro models, folding console tables, dual wireless phone chargers, and a 12.3inch integrated panoramic display for driver and multimedia functions. The range comes in eight exterior colours and three interior trims, from cloth in lower grades to full artificial leather in the X-Line and X-Pro. For more information, Kia recommends contacting the Kia Fleet Edge team. Kia’s work ready ute Just three years after buying his first drone and venturing into contract spraying, Newmerella's Anthony James has made a bold move, adding two 100-litre capacity drones to his fleet. "A lot of people haven't seen drones in action, a common question is 'Does it work?'," Anthony said. "But people seem to be embracing the technology. "We bit the bullet and bought bigger machines, the T100s, so we can do as much as we can in the limited weather windows we get. "These new machines are more advanced and cover more ground. "In the early days people were sceptical but now we're almost struggling to keep up with demand." Since the purchase of the T100s in October, Anthony has done nearly 2000ha, sometimes flying two drones at once when his offisder, Nick helps change batteries, fill tanks and land drones. He said vegetable flats had less obstacles for the drone and spraying was faster, whereas in a paddock with obstacles like trees and powerlines, often a mapping drone was run prior to the spraying drones. The computer then processes the information and pre-determines the route for the spray drone, which means there is less risk and the process is more streamlined. The drones are also capable of spot spraying, going from blackberry bush to bush, rather than blanket spraying. Anthony has also used his drones to spray out spots 1-metre to 1.5m apart for tree planting, going back over exactly the same place after the trees are planted to target grass growing near the trees. He purchased his first frone in January, 2023, spraying about 150ha as he learnt his craft. In 2024 Anthony covered 2228ha, spraying out more than 120,000 litres and also spreading almost 13 tonnes of granular fertiliser. In 2025 he did 3672ha, plus 300ha from a sub-contractor, and their overall record is 175ha in one day. Business varies with the season, but Farm Forest Drones are becoming more popular with vegetable and cropping farmers. "We're doing maize and sweet corn for the veggie farmers on the Lindenow Flats and we're also taking on canola, wheat and barley crops as well," Anthony said. "It seems popular with cropping farmers because they don't need to drive on their crops with a tractor and lose crop percentage to the wheel tracks. "They're dessicating crops so they dry at the same time, and the grain runs through the harvester well." Farm Forest Drones has also become a dealer, helping others to set themselves up with their own drones and also fixing them if needed. Boosting crop spraying efficiency Newmerella drone operator Anthony James has expanded his Farm Forest Drones business with the addition of two 100-litre spray drones, using advanced technology to deliver efficient, targeted spraying across cropping, vegetable and forestry operations throughout East Gippsland. (PS) Mitchell Henderson and Anthony James. (PS) ✓Aerial Spraying ✓RTK Precision Accuracy ✓Zero Ground Compaction ✓Water Logged Crop ✓Inaccessible Terrain ✓Aerial Farm Mapping ✓Aerial Photography ✓Aeiral Inspection ✓Seed, Fertilizer and Bait Broadcasting Anthony James: 0447 798 239 farmforestdrones@outlook.com | www.farmforestdrones.com East Gippsland STEEL PANELS LOCALLY OWNED, FAMILY RUN We are a local business who specialise in quality galvanised steel products at affordable prices. From cattle crushes and ramps to holding yards and round yards, we provide durable and reliable solutions built for Aussie farms and rural properties. Delivery and set up available. Jed 042 9629 727 | Amber 0423 385 836 FIND US ON FACEBOOK Gary : 0418 514 440 OPEN DAY MUNDOOK HEREFORDS Friday 30th January 2026 440 Sarsfield-Nicholson, Road
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