Science and technology take centre stage at 2025 National Fieldays
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
From this winter farmers will have a greater choice of feed types and blend options than ever before, thanks to Farmlands' purchase of animal nutrition company SealesWinslow.
The National Fieldays marks the official kick off date for the new alliance, which will see SealesWinslow retain its name while offering a broader range of feed options.
Grant Jackson, general manager of SealesWinslow welcomes the opportunities the Farmlands purchase brings, with multiple benefits to farmers across the length of the country.
"SealesWinslow has been known mainly for its quality compound or pelletised feeds. Farmlands ownership means our team can now include commodity blend solutions alongside our pelletised options."
He says the full national coverage lifts the number of feed mills under the one umbrella from three to eight, now extending from Whangarei to Winton, matched by a nutrition team set to double in size with the SealesWinslow purchase.
Bunnythorpe sharemilker Craig Gregory is among the first to enjoy the benefits of combining SealesWinslow's quality pelletised feed with a bulk feed option.
He runs a System 5 high input operation for his 330 Holstein Friesian herd and has tuned up their feed regime in the past year, working alongside his SealesWinslow nutrition rep Peta Hamilton.
"We have opted for the Value Dairy pellet as 50% of the feed, and the other 50% is bulk palm kernel expeller (PKE). The mix means we avoid any blockages in our in-shed feeding system.
"It gives the herd that extra production push - it's really the difference between feeding them and fully feeding them."
He says being able to include PKE alongside the pellets also makes them a more affordable option, whilst still delivering valued nutrient benefit.
He feeds 3-5kg a cow a day during lactation and the blend forms part of a feed regime that includes maize and grass silage in addition.
Jackson says farmers can now enjoy the best of both worlds through SealesWinslow's feed offerings, giving their herds high quality pelletised feed, alongside higher volume, cost effective bulk feed.
"More farmers are starting to realise it is not just about giving their cows more of one feed but want to achieve better productivity with a lighter environmental footprint, optimising their feed options.
"With strong payout prospects, the timing has never been better to consider those optimal feed options and avoid leaving production on the table."
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is…
OPINION: Once upon a time the Fieldays were for real farmers, salt of the earth people who thrived on hard…