Lanaco and Blueair Launch World-First NZ Wool Air Filter
New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
In a bid to help dairy farmers in tight times, GrainCorp Feeds is giving 150 clients nationwide free access to a feed forecasting, tracking and monitoring service.
The company is working with technical specialists DairyClub to provide additional on-farm assessment, monitoring and technical support alongside Tracker™. The online tool measures current milk production and shows how the farmer can use supplementary feed to achieve maximum return.
“We recognise that it is a challenging time for the dairy industry, so it’s important that we demonstrate the return our customers are getting on their investment into feed, rather than seeing it purely as a cost,” says GrainCorp Feeds general manager Daniel Calcinai.
“Our priority is on investing in tools and systems to support our customers, focusing on the return on their feed investment.”
Calcinai says to increase income from milk production, farmers have to feed strategically, which means the right feed at the right time. Tracker™ will enable farmers to identify areas where short, medium and long-term efficiency and production gains can be made.
“Rather than cutting out all supplementary feed or simply using the lowest cost option, it may be more beneficial to feed good quality feeds at certain periods during lactation. This will help to maximise pasture utilisation, improve short-term milk flows and protect the future productivity of the herd while increasing overall profitability,” says Calcinai.
Vaughan Parker and Paul Smith are 50/50-equity partner farmers in Whakamaru, who have taken up the free service.
The pair have a crossbred herd of 285 cows on their 105 ha system 3 farm. They are currently producing 428kgs of milk solids per cow and hope the tool will help them increase that to 457 – 472kgs/cow.
“This service will give us the ability to unlock the true potential of our grass through strategically managing the use of supplements,” says Parker.
GrainCorp’s support package will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
Opuha Dam's ability to protect South Canterbury communities from major flooding has taken a significant step forward, with Opuha Water Limited (OWL) successfully commissioning a new outlet valve capable of releasing record volumes of water from the dam ahead of a weather event.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's announcement on changes to freshwater farm plans that come under the Natural Environment Bill, which is now set to replace the existing RMA.
A partnership between state-owned enterprise Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Limited) and charity Meet the Need is putting more than quality New Zealand beef into food bank parcels this year.
The Opportunity Party has faced criticism during the election campaign that its policies are too urban-focused and offer little for rural communities.
The chair of the country's environmental regulator, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), says changes are already under way to improve the performance of the agency to better meet the needs of those who interface with them.
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