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Bridgit Hawkins, Regen.
Agritech company Regen wants more money spent on applying science to farming.
Chief executive Bridgit Hawkins says the future of food production in New Zealand hinges on farmers reducing their environmental footprint, and harnessing technology to innovate farming practice.
The company uses technology including real-time data to enable farmers to better manage water use, effluent and reduce nitrate leaching.
Hawkins refers to the push by Environment Minister David Parker towards better water quality, including changes to the Resource Management Act, a defining of acceptable nutrient levels in waterways and a possible cap on the number of dairy cows in NZ.
“He has also recognised the need to invest in and subsidise new technology to help farmers meet the requirements,” she says.
But more needs to be done in using technology to make farming more sustainable, she says.
“We need to invest more in applying science to farming, to help farmers work through this complex and uncertain time, while meeting their resource consents.... Transparency in the field-to-fork process is becoming more critical.”
Many farmers are working hard to better manage water use and nitrate leaching, but the sector would benefit from Government support, Hawkins says.
“When farmers can fully use the science and technologies available to them it benefits their farm and the wider community.
“For example, our farmers get on average a 5:1 return when closely monitoring key farm measures like soil moisture. In practical terms this means they know exactly when they need to water and how much because we take into account weather and soil conditions.
“We also help farmers accurately determine the right time to apply nitrogen fertiliser, reducing leaching. All of this improves the quality of our waterways.
“In communities where water is a hotly contested topic, this provides a new level of transparency while connecting farmers more closely with their pastures.”
An app which sends out a daily text message to dairy farmers can completely eliminate the risk of them receiving a hefty fine for spreading too much effluent on their farms but can also save them money of fertiliser.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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