Science and technology take centre stage at 2025 National Fieldays
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
Farmlands says it is partnering with Blackcurrent to change that equation with Farmlands FLEX, a joint solar and technology venture said to "put the power in farmers' hands".
The co-op says Farmlands FLEX delivers intelligent microgrid systems custom-built and managed to meet the demands of working farms and orchards. It says the system is designed to create energy independence for farmers and growers - slashing power bills, keeping critical operations running during outages and even generating a long-term income source.
"Rising energy costs are a huge concern for our customers," says Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton.
"Finding solutions for on-farm energy needs have been a part of Farmlands' strategy for a long time."
To better support the profitability and productivity of farmers and growers, Farmlands says it provides five-year electricity pricing certainty through its partnership with Meridian, and its three-year-old fuel joint-venture, Fern Energy, is now the country's largest rural bulk fuel provider.
Farmlands FLEX says it is set to truly transform on-farm energy sourcing and management as another key cornerstone of Farmlands' total offering.
"The on-farm applications for Farmlands FLEX are wide-reaching: the 5am dairy shed power surge, keeping irrigation running during blackouts and protecting frost fans when electricity isn't available or there's an outage. Farmlands FLEX address real farm challenges," says Houghton.
Farmlands FLEX is due for launch at National Fieldays. The Farmlands and Farmlands FLEX team are ready to talk about the benefits and start working with farmers and growers on a personalised plan.
The co-op says the benefits are:
Bay Shear near Oxford, an early Farmlands FLEX customer, initially expected to deliver $400 - 500 monthly savings on their dairy shed's electricity. Their first month delivered over $550 in reduced power costs.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
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