Data sharing initiative wins national award for saving farmers time
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
The co-op is partnering with the cow monitoring and milking intelligence company SCR.
Under a distribution agreement, SCR, recently acquired by Allflex Group, will distribute the LIC’s DAL milking sensors internationally and LIC will in New Zealand distribute SCR’s cow reproduction and health monitoring system Heatime.
LIC chief executive Wayne McNee says the partnership is part of the co-op’s strategy to grow the business overseas and provide New Zealand dairy farmers with more choice.
“SCR is a world-leading provider of cow intelligence systems… [improving] farm efficiency worldwide. This agreement aligns with… our focus on key international markets that will add value for shareholders in New Zealand.
“DAL sensors are highly regarded in New Zealand for measuring milk volume, fat, protein, lactose and somatic cell counts during milking.
“The SCR Heatime system will add to our range of herd improvement and animal management solutions.”
LIC and SCR already see four markets for DAL meters. SCR’s Heatime will be available to New Zealand dairy farmers from LIC, with its Protrack farm automation systems.
Heatime collects and analyses critical data points, from activity to rumination, on each cow, delivering heat, health and nutrition insight.
Shane McManaway, general manager Allflex Australasia, said the linking of “three world leaders in their respective fields… provides synergies and opportunities not seen before”.
Yariv Avisar, chief executive SCR, says the partnership will support growth in both global businesses.
“It is our vision to secure dairy farming’s future by monitoring every cow. We are delighted to work with LIC and their New Zealand farmers.”
