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THIS IS CAN-AM COUNTRY

Whether it's hauling, towing, or navigating rough terrain, the Can-Am Defender is more than a utility vehicle — it’s a partner in the paddock. Where dust meets determination, farmers rise before the sun and push past every obstacle. Australian farms are built on resilience, grit, and hard work — and it’s exactly the kind of place where the Can-Am Defender earns its keep.

Sir David Fagan, based in Te Kuiti, New Zealand, grew up on his parents’ farm and became a world-renowned competitive sheep shearer, winning 642 shearing titles worldwide and securing a knighthood. These days he, with wife Wendy and son Jack, operates both beef and dairy operations.

Farming on the west coast of the North Island brings its share of challenges, especially the unpredictable climate, long droughts and hilly terrain. In light of these challenges, Sir David relies on his fleet of Can-Am side-by-sides: a Can-Am XMR Defender HD10, a Can-Am XT Defender HD10 and a Can-Am XT Defender HD10 Limited. He discovered Can-Am after his local dealer encouraged him to test drive a Defender.

For Sir David Fagan, farming is more than a job, it's a way of life. The superior design and performance of the Can-Am SXS allow Sir David Fagan and, more importantly, his family, to get necessary tasks done around the farm, from carrying equipment to moving stock.

Sir David keeps a toolbox under the front seat for any maintenance jobs that he comes across, and the enclosed cab ensures they stay warm and dry during cold winters. The Visco-Lok† auto-locking front differential, which is customisable for different terrains, helps maintain control in slippery or uneven conditions on his undulating property.

Performance is also vitally important, and Sir David Fagan knows the Can-Am Defenders are more than capable of handling any tasks in tough New Zealand conditions and can be relied on day-in day out, season to season, to get the job done.

Sir David recognises the importance of regular maintenance and values the relationship he has with his local dealer, Pratt Motorcycles. That said, the 200 hour service intervals ensure less down time between visits.

Sir David is proud of his Can-Am machines and recommends Can-Am to friends and neighbouring farmers alike, encouraging on-farm test drives so they can experience the benefits firsthand. “Once you try a Can-Am, you don’t go back.” he says.

Sir David is optimistic about the future of farming, citing the essential role farmers play in food production and agriculture exports. He is also looking forward to the ongoing innovation, an area Can-Am has and will continue to play a big role.

Rissington Cattle Company continue to revolutionise the farming industry through their innovation and forward-planning.

Based in Hawke’s Bay, the story of Rissington Cattle Company spans the on-going evolution of the New Zealand farming landscape. The Absolom family have been at the helm of the business throughout this evolution, with many of these changes spurred by the family themselves. This is what set this successful bull breeding business apart from the rest. The Absolom family have been on their land for 140 years, which “gives a depth of connection [to the land and what they do] that’s hard to describe,” notes Jeremy Absolom. Those close to the family business and a part of the farming industry have been able to chart the success of Rissington and marvel at just how much they have changed the game, with their story now featured in Can-Am’s original series ‘Livin’ The Land’, released today.

The ‘Livin’ the Land’ Can-Am Original Series is a collection of cinematic, short films that takes a never-before-seen look into what drives the next generation of farmers to live off the land and their story.

The technology involved in farming has “come leaps and bounds”, says Ben Absolom. At the heart of this technological revolution is trying to make change for beef farmers and help them to be more profitable in an environment that’s only becoming more challenging.

The late John Absolom, husband of Star and father to Ben, Jeremy, Daniel and Willie, revolutionised the cattle market in New Zealand by importing frozen Simmental semen in the 1970s and embryos from Canada in the 1980s. After seeing composite breeds of cattle and the research behind them overseas, John realised there was huge potential for this back home in New Zealand. “They were breaking ground as they did it,” Daniel says. What was seen as one of the biggest gambles ever taken in the stud cattle business in New Zealand in the 1980s is now noted as the moment where the industry changed. Auctioning the resulting cattle from the embryos fetched record prices, and introduced the idea of widening the gene pool to New Zealand farmers. Today, it has given farmers the chance to plan ahead with a unique selling model and unique genetics.

The brothers have continued to innovate and made the decision to invest in Vytelle Feed Efficiency Testing technology. This enables Rissington to capture information about individual animal intake which allows them to lower the cost of production, as well as emissions. This intersection between business and sustainability is one where Rissington thrives. They've also transformed the traditional selling model of their bulls to a unique partnering model to advance their business and formed strong relationships with customers who have become extended family.

Not only do the Absoloms continue to grow the Rissington Cattle Company as a business, but caring for the environment on which they operate has become a priority. The Rissington family were one of the first to develop a land and environment plan spanning more than 20 years. They acknowledge the need to work in harmony with the land for its sustainability. “Every generation has done a huge amount of work to leave [the land] in a better state than they took it over,” Star says.

Bob Cottrell, a long-time customer of Rissington Cattle Company and family friend, sees the Absoloms as “continuing to follow in some of the kaitiaki values of our early Māori, in terms of looking after the land and rivers.” Bob believes that the land is in a very good state for the future generations of farmers and businesspeople to come. The importance of existing harmoniously with the land is not lost on Ben, Jeremy nor Daniel. “The land and the business have to be working in unison,” Daniel believes.

They recognise the impact of their decisions on the generations to come, and respect what those have done before them. For Ben, he hopes that his children will one day head up the Rissington Cattle Company, and continue its mould-breaking legacy.