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.
The Fieldays Innovation Awards competition has attracted a diverse and impressive array of innovations from across the primary industries, highlighting the growing importance of technology shaping the future of farming.
Sixty-three applicants have been invited to showcase automation, robotics, and AI innovations, alongside practical on-farm efficiency-increasing devices and 'problem-solvers' at the event.
"What stands out is the breadth of areas the entries come from, with ground-breaking ideas that redefine sustainability, automation, and efficiency," says Fieldays programme manager Steve Chappell.
"These include eco-friendly materials that transform waste into valuable resources to AI-powered tools optimising livestock management alongside precision monitoring, and crop growth."
A range of entrants see 33 in the Prototype category, 32 in the Early-Stage sector, and eight in the Growth & Scale competition.
Five participants of 19 years old or younger are also in the running for the Young Innovator of the Year award.
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.
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