Mountain Warrior's words of wisdom
The Mountain Warrior Shane Cameron is coming back to his roots as key note speaker at the East Coast Farming Expo Property Brokers Evening Muster in February.
Smartphones, farming apps and better coverage have all helped improve rural communications in recent years.
The latest in rural communications will again be high on the agenda at the East Coast Farming Expo.
Several communication specialists are exhibiting at the event on March 6 and 7 at the Wairoa A & P showground.
“Communication on farms needs to be as real-time as possible to enable more timely and accurate decision making,” says expo director Dave Martin.
“The old saying ‘knowledge is power’ is more relevant today than ever because of the speed at which modern business operates. Being remote no longer needs to be a barrier to operating effectively in the modern farming business environment,” he says.
“Increasing internet speeds and cellphone coverage, online sales reports, cloud recording and banking and financial programs allow many farmers the same instant access to decisionmaking tools as in a city business environment.”
Award-winning Gisborne radio communications company Colvins is attending the expo for the third time.
“The biggest development in radio communication in recent times is the advancement of the digital radio platform,” says manager Scott McSloy. “Digital radio provides better voice clarity and allows packets of data to be sent over the network.”
Colvins has installed at least 30 farm communication systems in the East Coast region.
“Most of these systems use solar-powered repeaters that we have specifically developed for the purpose,” McSloy says. “Being solar-powered allows the repeater to be placed at a convenient location for maximum property coverage.”
He says these radio systems have become an integral part of their farming operation.
Colvins will have this equipment on display and operating at the expo, for site visitors to see and try the features. They also have portable demonstration repeaters available for onfarm trials.
Gisborne Net’s Ronald Brice says getting more technology onfarm and more communications helps with safety.
For information or to buy tickets go to: www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms, following a closely contested director election.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…