A true Kiwi ingenuity
The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to numerous overseas markets.
Dairy technology company Numedic Ltd has gained farm dairy effluent (FDE) design accreditation.
The accreditation programme provides a new way forward for effluent system design in New Zealand, says Cathryn Reid, a Numedic director. She has been a member of the design standards steering group since the initial development of the concept.
Its goal is to ensure all NZ dairy farmers have effluent systems that can meet dairy industry and wider community expectations for the land application of dairy effluent. This includes keeping all untreated effluent out of surface and groundwater, keeping land-applied effluent nutrients in the root zone to capture their nutrient and economic value, and ensuring all systems are compliant 365 days a year.
Accredited organisations have had their design skills and workplace systems assessed by an independent panel and have met the accreditation standard.
Companies have been assessed for their competency and skills in regulation and legislation, soils and climate, effluent block allocation, pond storage calculations, hydraulic design and quality assurance management systems.
Says Reid, "We had always planned to complete the accreditation, as we see it having benefits for our customers and dealers.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.
Recently two of New Zealand's top Maori sheep and beef farms held field days as part of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. The two are: Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, northeast of Whangarei, and the proprietors of Tawapata Onenui farm on Mahia Peninsula in southern Hawke's Bay. Reporter Peter Burke attended both field days.
The New Zealand hemp industry is hoping for quick and comprehensive reform of its legislative framework after a recent "historic" visit to sites in Canterbury by a big group of politicians, officials and industry stakeholders.
Resolving rural sector disputes constructively, fairly and with long-term outcomes in mind will top the agenda at a gathering of experts in Hamilton next month.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.