Agnition announces new online sales channel
Ravensdown’s venture arm, Agnition, has announced a new online sales platform in an effort to give Kiwis more choices for how they purchase fertiliser and other agricultural products.
Ravensdown has appointed Dr Will Talbot to the newly created position of scientific officer, supporting the chief scientific officer Ants Roberts in an ongoing programme of innovative science and technology projects.
Will brings strong soil knowledge to the innovation challenge from his undergraduate agricultural science and post graduate soil science studies as well as lecturing at Lincoln University in soil erosion, cultivation and physical properties.
It was through Ravensdown's many projects with Lincoln that Will saw first-hand the co-operative's innovative approach to solving production and environmental challenges simultaneously.
"I was really impressed. Here was a company investingin science I loved, to make practical tools that are used by real farmers. I knew I wanted to be part of that."
Will's PhD looked at the effect of pasture types on one of the big farming issues of our time; nitrogen loss. He found that pasture with increased winter growth reduced nitrogen loss.
Roberts said Will's farm-hand experience and pragmatic agricultural and soil science knowledge made him a valuable addition to the company's expanding work on new tools and technology.
"We have ongoing development of existing tools as well as actively investigating new technologies such as precision fertiliser application, remote aerial sensing, novel soil tests, nitrogen and trace element product development, multiple projects in reducing direct fertiliser N and P losses and bio-inoculants.
"Will's addition to the Innovation and Strategy team here at Ravensdown will allow us to accelerate our efforts towards enabling smarter farming for a better New Zealand."
Five years on, Levin farmer George Thompson reflects on his life-changing accident and says it's great to see more support for farmers to make the industry safer.
Landowners with farms bordering the Hoteo River, north of Auckland, are hopeful their pressure will influence the outcome of two applications by local iwi relating to ownership of the riverbed.
A Massey University student has inched closer to national victory after being crowned Taranaki-Manawatu's top young farmer, despite being the youngest competitor in the field.
Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture, has appointed Brett Barnham as its new chief executive.
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri says its kiwifruit has now reached more than 100 million households globally.
Scales Corporation managing director Andy Borland says the company has delivered an outstanding result.
OPINION: Australian dairy is bracing for the retirement of an iconic dairy brand.
OPINION: Another sign that the plant-based dairy fallacy is unravelling and that nothing beats dairy-based products.