Fieldays’ sustainability credentials getting greener
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
PGG WRIGHTSON and software company Xero will jointly sponsor the premier feature at National Fieldays 2014.
The feature, ‘Managing Resources for a Competitive Advantage’, will show where and how farming can best develop systems and processes to manage resources and remain competitive.
Feature exhibitors in the main pavilion are “highly visible”, Fieldays says. “Hot topics” there include feed sources, nutrient management, animal health, workforce, security, control, traceability, water management and power innovations.
Fieldays chief executive Jon Calder says New Zealand’s competitive advantage is its efficiency in converting resources into protein.
“As a nation, maximising productivity in [using] resources we have done incredibly well… and will continue to do if we [collaborate] across industry and sectors. With PGG Wrightson and Xero we look forward to exploring this theme further at Fieldays 2014.”
Xero last month launched its ‘Farming in the Cloud’ software solution during its annual conference, says spokesman Ben Richmond, rural strategy head.
“Managing resources for farms [requires best] milk production and stock levels, [and] extends to the heart of farm management – running a farm as an efficient business.”
“The ability to pinpoint a farm operations financial position at any time coupled and the ability to share information with key advisors in a seamless and collaborative way is central to… a sustainable business…. Farmers together with Xero can use the power of the cloud to increase efficiency and productivity.”
PGG Wrightson general manager marketing Shannon Galloway says the company is proud to be a feature sponsor.
“We know farming is a challenging and complex business and our fortunes are tied to those of our customers.
“This year’s theme is a cornerstone foundation for PGG Wrightson. Everyday our staff work with farmers on their immediate on-farm needs while helping our customers plan.
“We aim to stay abreast of developments in the industry and… provide new products and services.”
PGG Wrightson is a foundation partner in the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium and offers sponsorships and awards in farming.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.
OPINION: There will be no cows at Europe's largest agricultural show in Paris this year for the first time ever…
OPINION: Canterbury grows most of the country's wheat, barley and oat crops. But persistently low wheat prices, coupled with a…