Milk your cool season for all it’s worth
Pasture specialist Graham Kerr claims that one hybrid ryegrass in New Zealand continues to dominate industry yield trials, as it has done every year since it was launched in 2021.
Gallagher and Barenbrug have jointly bought the assets of Farmote Systems, an automated pasture monitoring company based out of Christchurch which went into receivership in January 2024.
The assets have been placed into a new Joint Venture, Farmote Technologies, owned by Gallagher and Barenbrug, holding 70% and 30% of the shares respectively. This strategic partnership underscores both companies' commitment to advancing agricultural technology and providing innovative solutions to farmers worldwide.
Farmote Technologies' cutting-edge pasture monitoring system will be integrated into the extensive product and service offerings of both Gallagher and Barenbrug. While the new company set-up is in its early stages, the joint venture is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for existing Farmote Systems customers.
"We are excited at the prospect of further developing the Farmote technology through this new JV and integrating this solution into our precision farming offering," said Lisbeth Jacobs, chief executive Gallagher Animal Management.
"We first invested in Farmote Systems in 2022 and are proud to be working with Barenbrug to take this exciting technology to market.”
For Gallagher, the acquisition of the Farmote Systems technology demonstrates the company’s commitment to open innovation, working with partners and tech disruptors to develop smart farming products.
This strategic new venture will strengthen its holistic solution offering alongside products such as eShepherd virtual fencing, its new Auto Weigher, and satellite connected liquid monitoring solutions.
“Farmote has been on our radar since it was founded, demonstrating the performance of our grasses in the field as well as supporting farmers to get the most from their pastures. The importance of data in modern agriculture cannot be overstated, as it enables precise decision-making and enhances productivity”, says John Thijssen, chief executive of Barenbrug Group.
“By integrating Farmote's innovative services into our portfolio, we will not only harness valuable data insights but also offer new cutting-edge solutions to our customers.”
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.

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