Evaluating Tech Providers Beyond The Product
As the dust settles after Fieldays, we're once again reminded of the sheer volume of technology now available to New Zealand dairy farmers.
Eight finalists have been named for the Fieldays Rural Bachelor of the Year contest.
This year, two Australian and six Kiwi bachelors will battle to win the Golden Gumboot.
The finalists are Brandon Sayliss (Taupo), Gus Thomas (Rakaia), Kaleb Foote (Tuakau), Oscar Smits (Reporoa), Paul Olsen (Manawatu), Peter Damen (Kindred, Australia), Jamie Havill (Ahaura) and Rob Ewing (Cape Paterson, Australia).
During a whirlwind week they will leave their comfort zone and challenge themselves, says Lee Picken, Fieldays head of events.
"We have a lot of talent in the young agri sector in New Zealand and Australia and this is an opportunity to showcase the future of the industry. These guys are passionate self-starters looking to upskill and progress their careers in an industry they're extremely proud of."
The competition starts with a road trip on June 13-14 from Auckland to Fieldays, completing challenges by NZ Young Farmers and Rural Women NZ and spending the night on a farm with a difference at Lavalla Estate in rural Tuakau.
Arriving at Fieldays, the Bachelors will have their skills, attitude and all-round charisma tested in competitive challenges such as speed fencing, blind dating, log splitting and building. A few fun twists will test the character of these rural men.
From Wednesday to Friday there will be four challenges a day, and a winner announced at the official prize giving on the Village Green on Saturday at 12pm.
Two titles are in contest: Rural Bachelor of the Year and People's Choice, and a prize pool of $20,000.
Tayla Steele is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University in Palmerston North.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says no new cases of H5 bird flu have been detected following a case found earlier this week.
Two months after unveiling a major upgrade to its beef product, Halter says its farmers are on track for major production gains and additional grass growth.
New Zealanders are being urged to be alert following a confirmed positive case of H5 bird flu this week.
With a third of NZ dairy farmers still running outdated refrigerants, the country's largest farm refrigeration company says the opportunity for quick, meaningful emissions gains has never been clearer.
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