Fieldays’ sustainability credentials getting greener
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
LIC’s new satellite technology (called SPACE) that measures pasture cover will be a new feature on the Fieldays site.
It went on limited release last December and is now available in part of Canterbury and a large area in Waikato.
The co-op and its automation business, LIC Automation, will be side by side at E76 and E78.
LIC general manager NZ markets Malcolm Ellis says that as a farmer he always visits Fieldays “looking for ways to improve our business”.
“At both the LIC and LIC Automation sites we’re going to be showcasing ways we can help farmers do this. There’s always room for improvement and will embrace this theme.
“Improvement is at the heart of LIC… doing the best we can for our farmers striving to improve their farm’s efficiency, productivity and prosperity.”
The main LIC stand will cover genetics, GeneMark, Minda and herd testing and LIC Automation will show its integrated and innovative automation systems.
The LIC stand will as usual host a café for its farmers and their families, says Ellis.
“Fieldays is the time to talk with farmers and answer their questions… always a great opportunity and an event we are proud to be part of.”
This year marks two years since LIC launched Minda Live, the online herd management system that is gaining extra functionality.
“Farmers can see the improvements we’ve made and learn how they can use the system to make more informed herd management decisions,” Ellis says.
Also on show will be the new Protrack modular system. Farmers can now build a system to suit their farming operation, and existing customers can upgrade their current systems with more features and improved functionality via mobility from farm to office.
A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.
Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying. Decades later, it's her passion for the industry keeping her there, supporting, and inspiring farmers across the region.
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.

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