Monday, 10 June 2013 11:17

Taratahi and FarmIQ open the gates

Written by 

Mangarata Farm in the Wairarapa opened its gates on the May 23 to the Minister of Primary Industries, Nathan Guy. Guy was invited to speak at Mangarata's field day with FarmIQ and Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

Mangarata is a sheep and beef farm owned by Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in the Wairarapa. In 2011 it was selected as one of nine farms across New Zealand to represent the region on the FarmIQ programme.

Over 100 local farmers and agricultural representatives from across the lower North Island came to Mangarata to learn about FarmIQ and its focus on the integrated value chain as well as learning about the decisions made at Mangarata as a result of being involved in FarmIQ.

The guests were presented to by Guy, Taratahi chairman David Nelson, FarmIQ chief executive Collier Isaac and general manager Greg McSkimming, Taratahi Sheep and beef manager and farm support Paul Crick and Jane Murray, Silver Fern Farms chief executive Keith Cooper and Westpac economist Nathan Penny.
FarmIQ is working on a seven-year programme progressing six distinct projects covering governance, market, database, genetics, processing and farm productivity. Each project adds value to the supply chain while being reliant on each other to achieve success. The potential for gain begins before livestock are born by having the right genetics matched with the right on-farm systems, then capturing information through electronic identification (EID) and using processing technology to feed this back to the producer. Finally and critically, it involves matching products to markets.
In his speech Guy said that the future of the agricultural industry depends on programmes like this one. "You are the innovators. It's about measurement, management and ultimately making changes in behaviour. We need to reboot our rural communities, to make sure we have a viable industry".
Taratahi's sheep and beef manager, Paul Crick explained Taratahi's approach. "It's a little bit different from most. We're focused on the maternal side of the sheep. We're looking at improving ewe performance. We can't necessarily finish all animals at Mangarata because of our dry summers, so we want all the ewes to have multiples and wean their own body weight in lambs.
"We're keen to progress tracking and data collection across the mobs apply analysis to the farm's stock management programme. Having EID technology enables both the breeder and finisher to build longer lasting relationships. The ultimate will be to work with finishers who are also involved with FarmIQ, giving better financial returns for everyone.
"As soon as DNA testing is commercially viable we'd potentially build that into our breeding programme. We're in our third year of EID, with the hoggets coming into the system each year".
FarmIQ's vision is to create a demand-driven integrated value chain for red meat that delivers sustainable benefits to all participants: farmers, processors and marketers. These benefits won't come about overnight, instead, they will be delivered through a series of technologies over six years.

More like this

NZ honey strategy resets industry ambitions

A plan to revitalise New Zealand’s honey sector and set it on a new, more sustainable and profitable path for the long term was launched yesterday by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.

Putting meat on the bone

NZ's red meat sector says it is committed to playing its part to address climate change, improving our waterways and protecting New Zealand's biodiversity. However, it wants a future Government to implement these policies in relation to the environment and climate change. Nathan Guy, Meat Industry Association, and Kate Acland, Beef+Lamb NZ explain.

Farmers confused over HWEN

Farmers are finding themselves "extremely confused" about He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), says Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter