Fieldays hold out the begging bowl
OPINION: When someone says “we don’t want a handout, we need a hand up” it usually means they have both palms out and they want your money.
This year's Fieldays theme 'Collaborate to accelerate innovation' is a near-perfect fit with the vision of New Zealand's most enduring and iconic agri-tech company Gallagher.
The complete range of products resulting from Gallagher's innovative, collaborative approach to development will be on display at Mystery Creek.
National sales manager Darrell Jones says all the equipment has come from listening to farmers and developing products that do the job better, safer and simpler.
It will include breakthrough fencing technology such as the S20 portable solar energiser, the high visibility Sighter and the dual purpose portable handle.
Jones says, "the S20 energiser has all the key features of the popular S10 model, but with twice the power. It's ideal for farmers wanting to push their strip grazing that little bit further."
With health and safety requirements tightening, farmers will also be interested in the simple, multi-purpose applications for the high visibility Sighter, capable of use on bungy cord or steel wire and to highlight specific hazards onfarm. "Their ability to be fixed in a number of ways adds to their adaptability and suitability as low cost hazard identifiers," Jones says.
Dairy farmers may also see the company's recently launched Flashmate electronic heat detector, claimed a game-changer in lifting herd mating performance. Its simple flashing light warning system identifies cows on heat, helping farmers improve cow submission rates by detecting cows that may otherwise be missed; farmers are also reporting lifts in their six-week in calf rate through more accurate heat detection.
The site's equine fencing display will show Gallagher's long-developed systems for containing valuable horses. And visitors may be able to catch up with celebrity siblings.
As NAIT compliance becomes a 'must do', Gallagher staff will help with specific software and hardware support for stock ID and weighing systems.
"This is a great chance for farmers to have a chat about the equipment, maybe find out more about something they already have, or are interested in investing in, without the usual distractions and chores... at home on the farm," says Jones.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
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