Hose runner saves time and effort
Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval of temporary water troughs used in winter break feeding.
A new app designed to simplify forage planning and boost farm productivity has been launched.
ForageSelect will help deliver smarter, more practical solutions that respond to the needs of New Zealand farmers and retailers, says app owner Cropmark Seeds.
ForageSelect was originally developed by Cropmark Seeds’ plant breeder, Nick Cameron. As part of his side hobby in app development, Cameron wanted to create something that would make forage decisions easier and more effective. It was a collaborative approach, with Cameron working closely with the technical staff within the company, utilising their expertise and regional knowledge to develop the tools found within it.
“The app was so innovative and practical that it quickly became clear it was too good not to share with the wider farming community,” says Callum Davidson, NZ sales manager, Cropmark Seeds.
ForageSelect provides detailed, up-to-date descriptions of all commercially available forage cultivars in New Zealand. This includes guidance on the best fit for each cultivar, considering your region, animal type, soil acidity, and summer rainfall. With ForageSelect, you’ll have everything you need to make informed decisions, even when working in areas with limited cell phone coverage, says Davidson.
He says ForageSelect offers financial benefit tools by assessing the economic advantages of different forage options, accurately projects crop yields for smarter planning and evaluates pasture performance and identify areas for improvement.
“No other resource consolidates this level of information and functionality into a single platform. ForageSelect not only helps you choose the right cultivars but also provides critical tools for analysing potential returns and maximising yields.
“ForageSelect works offline, so you can use it anywhere—whether you’re on the farm, in the back paddock, or out of cell phone range. It’s the practical tool you need for smarter farming decisions.”
Davidson says ForageSelect is free to download.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.
Lucidome Bio, a New Zealand agricultural biotech company was recently selected as one of fourteen global finalists to pitch at the Animal Health, Nutrition and Technology Innovation USA event in Boston.
Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.
The DairyNZ Farmers Forum is back with three events - in Waikato, Canterbury and Southland.
To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.
Among this year’s Primary Industry NZ (PINZ) Awards finalists are rural New Zealanders who advocate for pragmatic regulation and support stressed out farmers.