Outlook for dairy strong – ag trade envoy
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
THE DAIRY Women's Network and its network partner Tru-Test will be educating dairy women around automation and how it can support decision-making on the farm.
Earlier this year Tru-Test ran three education days for the Dairy Women's Network focussing on dairy automation systems.
Attendees from the Dairy Women's Network regions said they were blown away by the MilkHub Dairy Automation System and information they could access and use through the MiHub Online Herd Management tool.
"It was a very informative day and I was impressed by what Tru-Test had to offer with regards to automation and information," says attendee Sue Duffy from CRV Ambreed.
Dairy Women's Network Invercargill convenor Katrina Thomas helped to organise the education days and was impressed by Tru-Test presenter Gillian Fullerton-Smith's knowledge on the product.
"The presenter's knowledge created really good discussion about automation in dairy sheds," she said.
"Local farmer Scott Hindrup, who used the system on a day-to-day basis, also talked about how MilkHub dairy automation worked for him. It was great to hear Scott's point of view and how this system adds value to their dairy business."
Tru-Test's New Zealand marketing manager Shaun Owen says, "Dairy women juggle many of the daily demands of dairy farming, often managing all the farm information. It's really important that we can share with Dairy Women's Network members how we can better support them as the key decision maker.
"These workshops are all about transferring knowledge, offering options, stimulating new conversations and helping to make life easier."
All workshops include practical demonstrations of MilkHub modules including the MiHub Online Herd Management Tool which captures individual cow information, herd and shed activity to track performance, reduce the risk of error, and increase efficiency and productivity.
"Fast, accurate information is essential for recognising and managing many issues that affect the performance of the dairy herd," says Owen.
"Mastitis monitoring, feed control, heats, treatment management, staff performance, shed maintenance, cull lists and drafting requirements are some of the demands farmers need to manage, and MilkHub provides an easy way to support these."
Dairy Women's Network chief executive officer Zelda de Villiers says the workshops will increase and support understanding amongst dairy women of the real value easy access to herd and farm performance data can add to the bottom line.
Tru-Test workshops are held on-farm and presented by local area sales managers and local farmers with excellent working knowledge of the MilkHub Dairy Automations Systems.
For more information, visit www.dwn.co.nz or phone 0800 396 748.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.