Junket?
OPINION: The Hound notes that the Taxpayers’ Union recently revealed that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) spent more than $125,000 for its presence at this year’s Mystery Creek Fieldays.
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.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.