Fonterra eyes EcoPond pilot to reduce on-farm emissions
Fonterra has invested in a new effluent pond mobile dosing service to support farmers to reduce emissions and make progress towards its on-farm emissions reductions target.
Dairy effluent, particularly slurry, can be a big problem.
As environmental pressures increase, there's no doubt that New Zealand's dairy farmers will need to take a close look at their existing systems, and learn to understand the nutrient value of this by-product.
Big problems need big solutions, and they don't come much bigger than the Giltrap Engineering vacuum tanker shown on their Fieldays site. With a capacity of 20,000 litres, 8.5 metre length, 3.2 metre height and a tare weight of 7.7 tonnes, this behemoth should certainly make a large hole in the effluent pond during the working day.
Manufactured from 6mm plate steel the tank is supported along its full length by a heavy duty integrated chassis, the superstructure is carried on a HD tri-axle bogie system, with steered front and rear axles, fitted with oversized tyres, and offering hydraulic braking on all six wheels to stop progress safely.
High spec European componentry is used throughout and includes a Battioni Pagani rotary vane vacuum pump featuring auto lubrication to deliver 12,000 litres per minute output to fill the beast in less than two minutes. Pump protection sees a double moisture trap layout, whilst all fittings are either brass or heavily galvanised steel for corrosion protection and an extended operating life
Internally the tank is fitted with a reinforced baffle plate to prevent liquid surging as the tank empties, and offers twin manhole access points for easy entry to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Around the machine, three filling points are fitted as standard, which use 200mm sectional hoses for rapid filling.
Shown at Fieldays with optional sprung axles, and the operator friendly Autofill system, the range is offered with a 3 year warranty for peace of mind, and can be customised with a range of accessories to suit individual operating requirements.
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Northlanders scooped the pool at this year's prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards - winning both the main competition and the young Maori farmer award.
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
The days of rising on-farm inflation and subdued farmgate prices are coming to an end for farmers, helping lift confidence.
A blockbuster year and an exciting performance: that's how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith is describing the massive upsurge in the fortunes of the primary sector exports for the year ended June 2025.
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