Robotic Rotary Milking: Inside a $6M Investment Paying Off Faster Than Expected
The Dairy ProQ robotic rotary, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, has proven to be an impressive addition for Victorian farmers Paul and Marsha Smith.
Milking sheds have since April been more colourful, says GEA, with its FIL Active teat conditioner packaged in ‘vibrant pink’ drums.
It’s a sign of the company’s support of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Marketing manager Sarah Buchanan says “breast cancer awareness is a natural fit with our teat and udder health, and allows people to show their support for those affected by cancer in choosing to buy a pink drum”.
“From a practical point of view, farmers choosing Active teat conditioner over other products are buying into a better teat care programme.”
FIL products are formulated inhouse and designed to restore teat health; they contain skincare ingredients more commonly used in high-quality cosmetics to hydrate, soften and soothe delicate human skin.
These include Allantoin, an active moisturiser with skin rejuvenation properties; aloe vera, a moisturising agent rich in antioxidants and minerals essential for restoring the condition of stressed teats; and manuka honey that aids skin regeneration, repairs cellular damage and helps keep skin hydrated.
All products are certified for use in organic dairies.
“Farmer response to GEA’s FIL ‘Think Pink’ campaign has been incredibly positive,” says Buchanan.
Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during his recent trip here.
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The Southern Dairy Hub (SDH), which runs a demonstration farm for South Island farmers, has a new general manager.
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
According to a progress report on the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP), New Zealand's horticulture sector is making real progress on the big issues facing growers.
OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.
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