Hose runner saves time and effort
Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval of temporary water troughs used in winter break feeding.
A firm stand on demonstrating machinery and technology is a key reason why 50% of the exhibitor sites are now sold for the South Island Agricultural Field Days, says spokesman Daniel Schat.
The biennial event routinely attracts about 30,000 visitors, he says.
“We are proud of our status as the field day with the largest machinery demonstration programme in New Zealand.”
The 2019 event will run from Wednesday March 27 to Friday March 29 at the field days’ permanent home near Kirwee, west of Christchurch.
Alastair Robinson, the new chair of the SIAFD executive committee, says preparations for the 2019 field days are tracking well and the organising committee is improving infrastructure at the venue.
“Sites are selling well, which is important for us because the income from registrations helps us to improve our facilities.”
An upgrade of the electrical infrastructure at the Kirwee site will make it easier and safer for exhibitors to set up and clean up afterwards. Earlier this year the organisers gravelled all the laneways, and have extended the irrigation system and planted native trees along the boundaries, helped by volunteers.
Robinson acknowledges RX Plastics, Ashburton, for the 150mm pipe used to extend the irrigator; Cresslands Contracting and Porter Group for digging the pipe trench; Tony Redmond, Andrew Walker and Rodney Hadfield for helping lay the pipe, and Orari Nursery for the native plants.
“A number of businesses have been very generous with their support, and others will step in with help as we get closer to the event,” Schat said.
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) has announced Felicity Roxburgh will take over as its new executive director.
"We're trying to get to the promised land but we're still in a bit of a swamp at the moment."
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
Common sense and good human judgement are still a key requirement for the super highly qualified staff working at one of New Zealand's largest and most important research facilities - Fonterra's R&D Centre at Palmerston North.
The country's second largest milk processor hopes to produce its first commercial butter within two months.