Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
Since its release almost a decade ago, Numedic's King Cobra rain-gun has earned a solid reputation as a productive and widely supported unit.
Designed, patented and New Zealand made, the "KC" is supported by a nationwide network of dealers offering complete spare parts and service availability.
"As an accredited Farm Dairy Effluent (FDE) designer, I always specified a rain gun where it was required," says Marina Millar, director of Numedic.
"I gave customers a choice that included a Cobra and other alternatives, but inevitably, the choice was always a Cobra, based on the feedback our customers received from their fellow farmers.
"When we got to deliver the units, we quickl realised it was a product that is well made and easy to operate, so when the opportunity arose to purchase part of Waikato Milking Systems effluent business, including Cbobra, it was a logical step for the business. Complementary to our existing product offerings, it fills a gap in our range with a delivery capacity above our Adcam 750 twin boom irrigator."
Since the purchase, Numedic has strengthened its distribution, formed great new partnerships, and continued making enhancements to the Cobra, with more innovative improvements on the way.
"We are very much a feedback-based business," says Andrew Millar, managing director of Numedic. "So, if our users or dealers suggest improvements or new features that will make it easier, save time or money, we will design and implement a change."
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One of the main benefits of a King Cobra K2 is its efficiency. |
One of the main benefits of a King Cobra K2 is its efficiency, delivered via its ability to cover large areas autonomously in a short time and moving at slower speeds. This means effluent is spread at the required depth, and frees up labour for other farm tasks, ultimately saving money.
In addition to its practical advantages, the K2 offers environmental benefits, via precise distribution, minimising the risk of nutrient leaching and groundwater contamination.
This sustainable practice helps protect the surrounding ecosystem, while also helping to ensure compliance with local and regional council regulations.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
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