Fieldays hold out the begging bowl
OPINION: When someone says “we don’t want a handout, we need a hand up” it usually means they have both palms out and they want your money.
This year's Fieldays theme 'Collaborate to accelerate innovation' is a near-perfect fit with the vision of New Zealand's most enduring and iconic agri-tech company Gallagher.
The complete range of products resulting from Gallagher's innovative, collaborative approach to development will be on display at Mystery Creek.
National sales manager Darrell Jones says all the equipment has come from listening to farmers and developing products that do the job better, safer and simpler.
It will include breakthrough fencing technology such as the S20 portable solar energiser, the high visibility Sighter and the dual purpose portable handle.
Jones says, "the S20 energiser has all the key features of the popular S10 model, but with twice the power. It's ideal for farmers wanting to push their strip grazing that little bit further."
With health and safety requirements tightening, farmers will also be interested in the simple, multi-purpose applications for the high visibility Sighter, capable of use on bungy cord or steel wire and to highlight specific hazards onfarm. "Their ability to be fixed in a number of ways adds to their adaptability and suitability as low cost hazard identifiers," Jones says.
Dairy farmers may also see the company's recently launched Flashmate electronic heat detector, claimed a game-changer in lifting herd mating performance. Its simple flashing light warning system identifies cows on heat, helping farmers improve cow submission rates by detecting cows that may otherwise be missed; farmers are also reporting lifts in their six-week in calf rate through more accurate heat detection.
The site's equine fencing display will show Gallagher's long-developed systems for containing valuable horses. And visitors may be able to catch up with celebrity siblings.
As NAIT compliance becomes a 'must do', Gallagher staff will help with specific software and hardware support for stock ID and weighing systems.
"This is a great chance for farmers to have a chat about the equipment, maybe find out more about something they already have, or are interested in investing in, without the usual distractions and chores... at home on the farm," says Jones.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.
OPINION: Are the heydays of soaring global demand for butter over?