Halter goes global, but NZ farmers remain core to innovation
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
AGRICULTURAL FIELDAYS 2014 will be a measure of how the agribusiness sector is gearing up to capitalise on growing export opportunities, according to New Zealand's largest agricultural lender, ANZ New Zealand.
"With an economic recovery in full swing and growing export demand for New Zealand agricultural products, the scene is set for farmers to again invest in the technology that will drive productivity," said Graham Turley, ANZ's managing director commercial & agri.
"Agri-business is New Zealand's most productive and successful business sector and it achieves this through ongoing investment in market leading technology. Agri businesses are only as successful as they are because they constantly innovate.
"This is why Fieldays plays such an important role. Increasingly it is an event where those who drive New Zealand's agricultural success go shopping for the ideas and technologies that lead to profitable, sustainable businesses with a clear pathway to growth, Turley says.
"New Zealand has the potential to capture $1.3 trillion more in agricultural exports between now and 2050. To realise that opportunity there is a need for up to $NZ340 billion in international and domestic investment to enable production growth and support farm turnover."
ANZ will be getting behind National Fieldays again as a strategic partner. ANZ is not only New Zealand's largest on-farm lender, but it is also the largest bank to agri supplier industries, processors and exporters. Its strategic partnership with Fieldays reflects ANZ's broad and long-term commitment to New Zealand agriculture.
"We've been sponsoring Fieldays for around 40 years, during which time millions have attended what has become a landmark event for agriculture in this country, and internationally," Turley says.
Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC) chairperson Roger Dalrymple says farmers in his region are taking a national lead in water quality awareness and monitoring.
One young couple is proving farm ownership is still within reach for young Kiwis.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.