Tedder designed for heavier crops
Recently launched and likely to be an indent-only machine for New Zealand, Kverneland’s new 15.6 metre tedder is aimed at increased productivity and timeliness.
An online feed sourcing and delivery platform, Feed Finder, has been launched to help farmers.
Future Farm Systems, which is behind the digital platform, claims it is revolutionising the feed sourcing game for New Zealand farmers.
Feed Finder offers farmers the convenience of a one-stop-shop for feed sourcing, automatic pricing calculations, and reliable delivery management, it says.
By collaborating closely with feed growers and contractors nationwide, Feed Finder ensures that farmers have access to everything they need to make informed decisions. From detailed feed specifications and highquality photos to comprehensive nutritional feed testing, Feed Finder standardises feed listings, eliminating the need for time-consuming calls to multiple suppliers and transport companies, the company says.
Dave Meaney and Greg Johnston, the founders of Future Farm Systems, says they are passionate advocates for the dairy farming industry and the vital role it plays in NZ’s economy.
“Dairy farming is the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, generating a staggering $22 billion in export revenue. Our focus on feed and pasture, two of the largest expenses and critical profit drivers for farmers, led us to the creation of Feed Finder,” says Meaney.
“The feed industry’s fragmentation posed a significant challenge, which Feed Finder is uniquely positioned to address.
“The platform simplifies feed sourcing and delivery, ensuring that supplementary feed not only arrives on time but also contributes positively to animal health, productivity, and overall farm profitability.”
Johnston says they have worked alongside farmers and suppliers to build the platform.
“Our dedication to continuous learning drives us to help farmers make informed feed decisions and streamline the challenges of getting feed on farm.”
He says Feed Finder has partnered with a network of rural contractors to serve farmers.
“Furthermore, a strategic collaboration with Hill Labs enables Feed Finder to streamline feed testing, providing farmers with unparalleled clarity about the feed they acquire.
“In an industry where farmers face daily complexity, and decisions can change in the blink of an eye, Feed Finder by Future Farm Systems stands as a beacon of innovation, simplifying the lives of dairy farmers across the nation.”
Tahuna farmer Tom Bebbington, who milks 300 cows, has used Feed Finder.
“I was in a pinch leading to balance day and I needed a couple of loads of silage fast. I had seen Feed Finder on Facebook so jumped on and found some silage in Cambridge which fitted my requirements.
“I let Feed Finder know how quickly I needed them, and I had the first load on the farm within a couple of days.
“I am excited to see how their journey plays out and what they come up with.”
The 2025 South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) chairman, Rangiora farmer Andrew Stewart, is predicting a successful event on the back of good news coming out of the farming sector and with it a greater level of optimism among farmers.
WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds, following a sentencing for a death at one of South Canterbury’s biggest agribusinesses.
Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.
Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.
Precision application of nitrogen can improve yields, but the costs of testing currently outweigh improved returns, according to new research from Plant and Food Research, MPI and Ravensdown.
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