Value of feedpads expands beyond reducing waste
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with many farmers at events and one-on-one.
A Dutch-built drill for establishing catch crops is said to offer a quicker and more effective method of establishing grass under maize.
The drill is gaining momentum in the UK and is likely to find favour with forward-thinking growers in New Zealand.
The Zocon Greenseeder was released following the introduction of regulations in the Netherlands that makes it mandatory to establish a green cover crop by October 1st and forbids leaving harvested maize ground bare over the winter period.
In the UK, water authorities are taking notice of the environmental impact of growing maize, for either forage or feeding anaerobic digestion plants, particularly in nitrate leaching. Several are now offering financial support to reduce problems, while some dairy companies are beginning to stipulate green cover as part of their farm assurance schemes.
The GreenSeeder features a linkage mounted, galvanised steel frame that offers 850mm of ground clearance, meaning grass can be sown later in the season, so extending the working window. A rigid main beam is fitted with hinged arms that in turn carry the soil engaging elements. At the headland, a hydraulic lift system for the trailing tine harrows lifts them into the air to prevent crop damage. This “high-lift” system allows the use of the machine in taller crops, with operating speeds of up to 12 km/h.
Working height is controlled by four support wheels, while the seed is distributed through feeder pipes onto spreader plates that offer a full spread up to the base of the maize plants. Harrow tines measuring 10mm, with five pressure settings, ensure good seed to soil contact.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
Tighter beef and lamb production globally have worked to the advantage of NZ, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Groundswell is ramping up its 'Quit Paris' campaign with signs going up all over the country.
Some farmers in the Nelson region are facing up to five years of hard work to repair their damaged properties caused by the recent devastating floods.
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