One of the Border region’s leading farm machinery dealers is taking an exciting step into the future.
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That will come with the grand opening of Wiesners Wodonga on July 28, marking a significant milestone for the family-owned business.
“Wiesners have been supporting the local farming community for over 42 years,” dealer principal Chris Wiesner said.
Mr Wiesner joined Wiesners – started by his parents, Col and Lorraine, in 1972 – in 1978.
That means he is a third-generation farm machinery dealer, given that his grandfather was a service agent for Fordson Tractors in Walla while his father was once employed by Jacobs as the dealership’s first Massey Ferguson mechanic.
It was here that he developed a woven wire mesh sieve called the Wiesner Multi Step Sieve, which improved the sample in Olympic wheat in the late 1960s.
Mr Wiesner said his parents began manufacturing the Wiesner Sieve and distributing Honda engines in 1972 on a site now occupied by Kotzur silos.
A highlight of the new Osborne Street, Wodonga, business will the Fendt 1000 series of tractors, on display from July 24 and during the opening day that runs from 10am to 4pm.
Mr Wiesner said Fendt was “set to revolutionise the farming industry” and was “much anticipated” by large broadacre growers.
“It’s a workhorse shattering the front-wheel assist horsepower barrier,” he said.
“Maximum power is achieved at only 1450rpm - idling along you wouldn’t think it was producing 500 horsepower.”
Two transmissions drove the front and rear axles, it could be weighted at up to 21 tonnes and it was “effortlessly designed to perform 365 days a year”.
“It’s a mighty unit delivering unparalleled power to the ground without jeopardising pulling power or traction.”
Wiesners employs 17 staff across two branches, with Mark Harrison and Ash Irvine to work alongside Mr Wiesner in Wodonga.
The business represents Massey Ferguson, Gleaner, Iseki, Challenger, Lely and Topcon and is the major North East dealer for Hardi, Croplands boom spray units.
“With this region’s diverse viticulture, dairy, horticulture, livestock, hay production, small-lot farmers and irrigated and broadacre cropping, the new Wodonga branch allows greater capacity to service Albury-Wodonga and surrounding districts, bringing with it Walla’s country service and values,” Mr Wiesner said.
The opening will be done by Wodonga councillor John Watson at 11.15am and will feature a morning tea, barbecue lunch and lucky door prizes including a $3300 Massey Ferguson ride-on mower.
