Claas Balers Turn 30
Claas built its first variable chamber round baler - the Variant 100 - in 1996, so 2026 marks 30 years and the fifth generation of the Variant name, recently complemented by the new Cerex Series introduced in 2025.
Livestock management tech company Nedap has launched Nedap New Zealand.
Established 1929 in the Netherlands, Nedap has a long history of innovation in livestock management technology.
The company says it operates in the New Zealand market with local business partners that offer cow collars, sort gates, and cloud software powered by Nedap’s cutting-edge technology.
This expansion strengthens Nedap’s commitment to the New Zealand dairy sector, it says.
Nedap says New Zealand is a global leader in dairy production and that the adoption of advanced technology is crucial for maintaining this leadership position.
Nedap New Zealand and its partners are poised to be pivotal in supporting this industry transformation, it says.
Currently, around 18% of New Zealand farms are utilising wearable technology. However, the adoption rate is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
Nedap’s solutions provide real-time insights into cow health, reproduction, and farm operations. They enable farmers, vets, and rural professionals to make informed decisions that enhance productivity and animal welfare. Nedap says its collar technology is crucial for seasonal calving systems, ensuring successful mating and farm efficiency.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
Nominations are open for the 2027 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award.
Keeping up with pasture moisture demands is likely to be the key challenge for dairy farmers during this season’s El Niño weather pattern, says Blue Skies Weather & Climate Services meteorologist Tony Trewinnard.
Farmers have until the end of this week to help shape DairyNZ’s future focus.
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.