Wednesday, 22 January 2025 09:55

App for smarter decisions

Written by  Staff Reporters
ForageSelect app to help farmers make better decisions. ForageSelect app to help farmers make better decisions.

A new app designed to simplify forage planning and boost farm productivity has been launched.

ForageSelect will help deliver smarter, more practical solutions that respond to the needs of New Zealand farmers and retailers, says app owner Cropmark Seeds.

ForageSelect was originally developed by Cropmark Seeds’ plant breeder, Nick Cameron. As part of his side hobby in app development, Cameron wanted to create something that would make forage decisions easier and more effective. It was a collaborative approach, with Cameron working closely with the technical staff within the company, utilising their expertise and regional knowledge to develop the tools found within it.

“The app was so innovative and practical that it quickly became clear it was too good not to share with the wider farming community,” says Callum Davidson, NZ sales manager, Cropmark Seeds.

ForageSelect provides detailed, up-to-date descriptions of all commercially available forage cultivars in New Zealand. This includes guidance on the best fit for each cultivar, considering your region, animal type, soil acidity, and summer rainfall. With ForageSelect, you’ll have everything you need to make informed decisions, even when working in areas with limited cell phone coverage, says Davidson.

He says ForageSelect offers financial benefit tools by assessing the economic advantages of different forage options, accurately projects crop yields for smarter planning and evaluates pasture performance and identify areas for improvement.

“No other resource consolidates this level of information and functionality into a single platform. ForageSelect not only helps you choose the right cultivars but also provides critical tools for analysing potential returns and maximising yields.

“ForageSelect works offline, so you can use it anywhere—whether you’re on the farm, in the back paddock, or out of cell phone range. It’s the practical tool you need for smarter farming decisions.”

Davidson says ForageSelect is free to download.

More like this

AGCO and SDF join hands

Tractor and machinery manufacturer AGCO has signed a supply agreement with the European-based SDF Group, best known for its SAME, Deutz Fahr and Lamborghini tractor brands.

Products born and bred in NZ make the difference

Made in New Zealand is a feature that looks at the wealth of design and manufacturing ability we have in New Zealand, producing productive and cost-effective products for the agricultural sector. This week machinery editor Mark Daniel takes a closer look at McKee Plastics, catching up with business development manager, Logan McKee.

Massey Ferguson launches double small square baler

AGCO has released details of the new SB.1436DB small square, or conventional baler, that rather unconventionally, produces two rows of bales per field pass, so doubling the output over a traditional single baler producing 14-by-18-inch bales.

What's the correct bolt to use?

You cannot go far in farming without encountering fasteners such as nuts and bolts, given that expensive plant, machinery and buildings are held together by them and your gates would not fill gateways if they were missing.

Featured

People expos set to return

Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers  the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.

SustaiN lands NZ registration

Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.

National

The Cook Islands squabble

The recent squabble between the Cook Islands and NZ over their deal with China has added a new element of…

Machinery & Products

Nedap NZ launch

Livestock management tech company Nedap has launched Nedap New Zealand.

Landpower win global award

Christchurch-headquartered Landpower and its Claas Harvest Centre dealerships has taken out the Global After Sales Excellence award in Germany, during…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

O Canada

OPINION: Donald Trump's focus on Canada is causing concern for the country’s dairy farmers.

Plant-based fad

OPINION: The fact that plant-based dairy is struggling to gain a market foothold isn’t deterring new entrants.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter