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While New Zealand is the land of the bale feeder that cleverly unrolls a bale in the paddock, much feed is wasted when stock trample it on the ground.
So there's a place for simple, low-tech stock feeders, as made by QC Engineering, Napier, and sold under the AgBrand and Red Barns brands.
The company offers a broad range of styles from basic 1.6m diameter units, with 12 positions and capable of feeding 30 animals, to larger units of heavier construction and wider access points, that can accommodate bull beef animals over 24 months of age.
A range of rectangular and oval feeders will suit larger mobs, can hold up to three large round bales, and suit feeding out hay or silage as supplements for animals feeding on break crops such as fodder beet or kale.
The company also manufactures modular feed fences useful for constructing feed pads, and accessories such as liners for round units, allowing meal, pellets or nuts to be fed efficiently, and covers for feeders used in inclement conditions.
All construction uses heavy gauge steel for the framing, and quality galvanising for a long, trouble-free life.
Units are easily broken down for movement or storage and use a bolt or removable pin system to fix panels together.
The modular design can be extended to meet changing situations or number changes, and is easily customisable around farm buildings and feed-pads.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
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OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.
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A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.
