MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Ravensdown is getting ready to roll out a new set of pasture and benchmarking tools showing planned versus actual nutrient spending over time.
Ravensdown is getting ready to roll out a new set of pasture and benchmarking tools designed to enable smarter nutrient decisions by showing planned versus actual nutrient spending over time.
HawkEye will integrate imagery from the air, nutrient input and pasture quality on the ground, and the status of the soil.
The company notes that farmers need help to avoid drowning in a sea of data coming from sensors on irrigators, spreading trucks, soil tests and pasture scanning.
The HawkEye information will offer a farmer insight into the state of a paddock and allow informed decisions.
For example, a map showing soil test results overlaid with the spreading history and the pasture response will enable better nitrogen efficiency. The result might be the use of less nitrogen and better understanding of target time and place of application.
Using an open industry standard such as DataLinker, farmers will be able to export data and mapping elements to GPS or C-Dax devices.
This will allow use of the system to forecast available feed, benchmark pasture production, and map and monitor spreading or spraying.
Also, soil fertility, nitrogen efficiency and environmental performance can be addressed via 24/7 web access and the help of technical experts and field based agri-managers.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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