Sunday, 06 January 2019 08:55

Ideas coming thick and fast at RMPP Action Network

Written by 
Rabobank’s Bryon Taylor. Rabobank’s Bryon Taylor.

Farmers are reported to have joined a Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) Action Group at Rangiwahia to upskill the people in their businesses and boost their profitability.

Eight farm businesses in northern Manawatu have joined the RMPP Action Network to learn from each other and various experts.

Murray Curtis, who hosted the action group’s third meeting, welcomes the opportunity to “be part of a group that gets you thinking and gives you ideas you can put into action on your farm”.

He says the size of the Rangiwahia Action Group is paying dividends.

“It is not too big and everyone who is a member knows everyone else. The members of the group are all comfortable speaking about their farm businesses.”

Murray’s wife Fiona Curtis is confident the learnings from the action group will mean the couple’s farm business is well-placed for the years ahead.

“Nothing extra is yet in the bank, but it will give us skills for the future,” she says.

Rabobank’s Byron Taylor helped connect people and get the group together initially.

“I found people keen to be involved and helped steer them towards the group. I can see already that farmers are benefiting from the new ideas.”

Taylor knows of other action groups nearby – two in Taihape, one in Ohakune and one in Hawera.

“Farmers are talking about the gaps in their knowledge and talking to other members and using experts to help fill those.”

Each farming business gets $4000 kick-start funding, pooled for the group to pay for a facilitator and expert advice. In year two, each farm business pays $800 of their own money into the pool to help keep things running.

Taylor says any decision is made by the farmer members of each action group.

“The group itself decides which direction it wants to go in -- a direction that they think might be profitable.”

The Rangiwahia Action Group has so far discussed feed budgets, how crops and pasture were growing through winter, and stock details on scanning rates, docking percentages and weaning weights.

Farm systems scientist Tom Fraser, one of the guests at the action group, talked to farmers about sheep performance.

“Most people are happy with their scanning data, but not so pleased about docking percentages and weaning weights,” he says. 

“However, the idea is how best to use that data. It is no good collecting it if you don’t use it.”

Facilitator Sarah Bell says with eight farm businesses in the Rangiwahia Action Group, there is a high level of trust.

“With each business contributing in the second year, it also means they have skin in the game. 

“It changes the level of commitment.”

What is RMPP?

RMPP is a seven-year Primary Growth Partnership programme working to help the red meat sector increase productivity and profitability. 

The programme is funded by 10 partners in the government and private sectors including Ministry for Primary Industries, ANZ, Alliance, ANZCO, Beef + Lamb NZ, Blue Sky Meats, Greenlea Premier Meats, Progressive Meats, Rabobank and Silver Fern Farms.

RMPP works with farmers and sector businesses to develop, test and introduce new ways of engaging with information and technology.

www.actionnetwork.co.nz

More like this

Dairy demand on the rise

There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.

Carrot and stick approach needed

With increasing and rising financial challenges, a well-balanced combination of carrot and stick will be needed to help dairy companies reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

"Further rate hikes unlikely"

According to Rabobank, inflation expectations in the New Zealand economy are headed in the right direction, with interest rate relief on the cards for the second half of 2024.

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

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

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…

» 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