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The French government has set aside €40 million to implement an aid programme which aims to encourage farmers to protect themselves against drought.
The New Zealand Government looks set to vest the control of water to four regional authorities under its Three Waters policy, having already spent $34m on developing the concept and committing to office space in Auckland to house its 350+ staff and consultants that will cost at least $2.1m annually.
Meanwhile the French government has taken a more practical approach by setting aside €40 million ($68.5m) to implement an aid programme which aims to encourage farmers to protect themselves against drought, via subsidies to purchase equipment and monitoring systems.
The scheme deals specifically with irrigation equipment but goes far beyond supporting the purchase of new gantries or pivot systems, with an emphasis on the better use of irrigation water right from the source to final application, both on a field scale or in dedicated horticultural situations.
The list of technologies eligible for subsidy includes aerators, measurement probes and control devices to improve water use but also to make better use of fertiliser inputs, especially under glass or nets.
Rainwater collection, purification and storage is also covered, alongside systems and equipment that offer the ability to recover drainage water from open spaces and store it for future use.
In addition to the hardware, the role of digital technology is being recognised and encouraged by the French government, with the initiative also supporting the purchase of computers and software for controlling and regulating the water supply included. The respective department went on to describe such investment as indispensable.
In a consultative document, the scheme also focuses on all aspects of water collection, storage and distribution, with the emphasis on lowpressure field systems that will help avoid excessive evaporation of any water being applied.
The recognition by the French government that digital technology is essential to deliver efficient use of resources should be a clear indicator to our own government that a closer look and more support for our biggest generator of export revenue would be a better investment than creating more desk space in an already overcrowded Auckland.
The arrival of new F8 and F9 designations for its 8000 and 9000 series forage harvesters, signals a swag of upgrades from John Deere, highlighted by topping the 1000hp mark for the first time.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
Ashburton-based Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the lower North Island and the South Island, effective August 1, 2025.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Samasz distributor FarmShop has introduced the new XDF Series Front Mowers, said to be refined for local conditions and to improve cutting precision and wear resistance.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…
