Ravensdown partners with Footrot Flats to celebrate Kiwi farming heritage
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Ravensdown is welcoming the overhaul of the Overseer nutrient modelling tool.
Owners of Overseer are setting up a new company to manage, develop and license the software.
As part of the transition, funding for Overseer will increase substantially to at least $2.25 million per year over the transition phase.
Ravensdown has already invested millions of dollars in the world-leading software over the years, through Fertiliser Association of New Zealand (FANZ).
“All certified nutrient management advisors at Ravensdown are given advanced training in using Overseer among other technologies,” says Ravensdown’s chief executive Greg Campbell who is also on the board of FANZ.
“The team here are key users of this vital decision support tool and our shareholders have benefitted from us supporting it with funding and scientific input over the years,” says Campbell.
“But it’s fair to say that there are several ways that the tool can be improved and setting up a business that is solely focused on quality and funding is an important step forward.”
The new business will be tasked with:
Improving customer service (including improving the helpdesk)
Setting up a formal quality assurance programme
Fast-tracking critical maintenance and testing work
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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