Manawatu's economy bouncing back
Although the national economy is still functioning below pre-pandemic levels and the road ahead remains uncertain, the Manawatu region appears to be bearing up well.
New proposals pending, from August 1, for safe handling of bobby calves, pose fresh challenges for stock handlers.
Animals must have shelter before and during transport, and during loading and unloading should be able to walk on or off the truck. This latter point will be well received by truck drivers, who risk back and other injuries from repetitive hefting of calves from ground level to truck.
So a product seen at the recent Central Districts Field Days offers benefits for stock handlers and animals.
The Oroua Bobby Loader is made from H4 tanalised timber to NZ building specifications and meets with MPI approval. It can be delivered onsite fully assembled and go straight to work.
The loader, with a 2.4 x 3m footprint and 3m height, is designed to hold 17-25 calves, depending on breed/size. It has a wooden non-slip deck that drains, and a Colorsteel roof and side cladding to keep wind and rain at bay.
Attention to detail sees screw fasteners and bolts throughout, so there’s no risk of injury to livestock or people.
Twin swinging gates, made from tubular steel, are favoured over a slide-action gate, so there’s no jamming caused by tracks filling with debris.
With the livestock handlers in mind, a standout point is the OSH approved access ladder with handrail, and an inspection platform that gives easy access to the pen, particularly on wet days.
Manufacturer and supplier Ivan Wildbore says the units can be tweaked to suit buyer’s requirements such as loading height, which might vary from 1100-1200mm.
Accessories include an extended loading ramp, water troughs and teat feeders.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.