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.
Fonterra farmers are leading the way in responsible dairying with 98% of farm waterways now stock excluded, the co-op says.
This means defined waterways totalling twice the length of New Zealand's coastline are now fenced to protect against stock entering the water. Many farmers have gone above and beyond the minimum requirements fencing an additional 10,000 kilometres of smaller waterways.
Fonterra director social responsibility Carolyn Mortland says Fonterra farmers are committed to farming sustainably, and are doing some great work, "There's a lot involved in managing a farm's impact on the environment – fencing waterways, managing raceways, tracks, paddocks and effluent, and reducing run-off through riparian planting.
"New Zealand's rugged landscape is challenging but our farmers are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes and are continually looking at ways to achieve this."
Good progress is also being seen in nutrient management. 76% of Fonterra farmers have recorded detailed on-farm information to enable nitrogen management reports to be produced – up 17% on the last year – and helping to improve efficient use of nutrients.
Mortland says many farmers are helping to strengthen the cooperative's international reputation for high quality dairy nutrition and responsible dairy farming, highlighting the following examples.
Southland
Jimmy Gerritsen is using solar power to improve sustainability and profitability. He will have paid it off in three – four years and then he'll be saving $20,000 every year.
He has also started recycling water for washing the shed out, resulting in a 30 per cent saving of daily water use and reducing effluent levels.
Canterbury
Nigel Gardiner has been fencing off wetlands, bridging pivot crossings, improving irrigation, looking at water efficiencies in the shed and as part of monitoring a stream he discovered some Kākahi – endangered native mussels.
Gardiner is keeping the big picture in mind despite it being a tough time for dairy farmers, he says ultimately the work he is doing will add value to the farm.
Waikato
David Hill is working with Whaingaroa Harbour Care to put thousands of native trees into his Raglan farm, he says while this year has been tough, he'll still get 1,000 plants in the ground.
Hill says it's a huge balancing act between operating a commercially viable and environmentally sustainable business, but he's committed to making a difference.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.