Australian teams to help repair North Canterbury irrigators after storm
Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.
On-farm irrigation technology has evolved at a fast pace over the last two decades and farmers have both adopted and evolved with it and have helped it evolve, according to WaterForce.
The irrigation system experts believe the future value from technology and irrigation looks fantastic with the evolution of technologies such as advanced AI and satellite/drone data, alongside the improvements in core product lines like sprinklers, and control and monitor products.
"We have plenty of options available to deliver great results for farmers today," it says.
Farm irrigation technology will mean different things to different users.
Generally, technology references the wide range of smart irrigation products that help farmers with water management and water use; and this is commonly available with products such as Valley Irrigation's Valley 365.
These are products for smart control and monitoring of on-farm irrigators. Typically, they are advanced control systems, soil moisture measuring systems, weather stations, flow-meter monitoring and management products like SCADAfarm EDGE.
It can also be adding simple products to a pivot, or linear, like rain buckets, or wind speed indicators, or even upgrading your sprinkler pack.
WaterForce says as farming has evolved, a growing trend both locally and internationally is emerging - a demand for reductions in labour and travel times; and for improvements in the management, and reductions in the use, of water and nutrients.
On-farm technology has evolved to meet this demand, and the toolbox available to farmers is growing every day - from the simple product improvements (like new sprinkler pack technologies) through to the advanced control and monitoring products now available.
A common challenge for users of technology is understanding your core goals and aims before investing in on-farm technology.
To get the best out of technology products they need to be delivering against farm objectives from day one.
Dairy Women's Network (DWN) has announced a new limited edition DWN Monopoly NZ Dairy Farming Edition, created to celebrate the people, places and seasons.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and Federated Farmers say they welcome the announcement last week that the Government will increase the conveyance allowance by 30%.
New Zealand and India have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) described as a once-in-a-generation deal.
What’s been a "rubbish" summer for campers and beachgoers has duck hunters in the lower North Island rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a bumper waterfowl season, which starts this weekend (May 2/3).
New research suggests sheep and beef farmers could improve both profitability and emissions efficiency by increasing lamb weaning weights, with only marginal changes in total greenhouse gas emissions.
Southland farmers are being encouraged to get ahead of the winter grazing season by attending a practical field day in Pukerau next week.