Fonterra eyes EcoPond pilot to reduce on-farm emissions
Fonterra has invested in a new effluent pond mobile dosing service to support farmers to reduce emissions and make progress towards its on-farm emissions reductions target.
Kiwi dairy farmers tend to be lagging behind the northern Europeans in their handling of dairy effluent.
The Europeans realised long ago that efficient effluent use would go far in replacing bought-in fertilisers.
For ten years the Euro’s have also quit traditional splash-plate application, now instead favouring dribble bar or trailing shoe applicators.
These help reduce the amount of nitrogen lost to the atmosphere as ammonia, while also addressing the problems of odour and complaints from neighbours.
German specialist Vogelsang, a big player for years, has taken another step in placement accuracy, so reducing crop contamination and improving plant uptake of nutrients.
New skid technology for its Blackbird trailing shoe linkages embodies a beak-like point said to ensure an even flow of slurry while also penetrating the soil surface more easily.
The Blackbird series also uses its maker’s precision distributor/macerator — the ExaCut ECQ, located at the centre of the boon structure. Its large internal diameter and oversized distributor plates keep the slurry moving, under control and distributed more accurately.
The unit also has a large maintenance port at its heart, allowing access to all internal components so that servicing can be done without dismantling the distributor, the outlet cover or the outlet hoses and feed lines.
Also, because the rotor runs at lower speed, it needs 50% less power, and exerts less pressure on the cutting blades and inside the distributor, all these factors extending the service life of the unit.
Hose layouts are modified to prevent the typical ‘v-shaped’ spread pattern as work begins.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
There are opportunities outside the farmgate for young farmers to further develop their skills, says 2025 Primary Industries Emerging Leader Award winner Bridie Virbickas.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.