Wednesday, 09 May 2018 13:17

Farm Gauge tool to assess dairy businesses

Written by 
Farm Gauge has been launched at the DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum. Farm Gauge has been launched at the DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum.

A new farm tool, Farm Gauge, has been launched at the DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum in Hamilton today.

DairyNZ’s latest online tool, Farm Gauge, has been developed with the help of dairy farmers to help other farmers assess their business, identify areas to focus on and support them to take action.

“Farm Gauge has been built alongside farmers who have piloted and tested it, to help us ensure we have a great tool for other dairy farmers,” says Paul Bird, DairyNZ senior project manager.

“It looks at eight areas of the farm system – strategy, feed, finance, health/safety and wellbeing, herd management, people, environment and infrastructure,” said Bird.

“The Farm Gauge process takes farmers through each section and helps identify areas to improve, by offering advice, resources and actions.”

Farm Gauge is modelled off DairyNZ’s Whole Farm Assessment approach, which has been adapted so farmers can carry out their own farm assessment. Developed in 2010, the Whole Farm Assessment analyses strengths, weaknesses, risks and opportunities across all components of the business. 

Bird said because dairy farmers have a huge scope of responsibilities across the farm, Farm Gauge is designed to help select which business areas to prioritise.

“This will help farmers feel less overwhelmed and deliver businesses which are more profitable, productive, efficient and enjoyable. We’d love to hear what farmers think about Farm Gauge, as we continue developing it.”

Farmers can use Farm Gauge at www.dairynz.co.nz/farmgauge

More like this

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Musical chairs

OPINION: DairyNZ's director elections has seen scientist Jacqueline Rowarth re-elected for another three-year term.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

Editorial: Keep FTAs coming

OPINION: The dairy industry will  be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

National

Organic sector backtracks on GE

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says the Government’s new gene editing and genetic modification reforms could leave New Zealand as…

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up…

Machinery & Products

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter