Well-placed to weather conflicts
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
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
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.