$52,500 fine for effluent mismanagement
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
Dairy effluent, particularly slurry, can be a big problem.
As environmental pressures increase, there's no doubt that New Zealand's dairy farmers will need to take a close look at their existing systems, and learn to understand the nutrient value of this by-product.
Big problems need big solutions, and they don't come much bigger than the Giltrap Engineering vacuum tanker shown on their Fieldays site. With a capacity of 20,000 litres, 8.5 metre length, 3.2 metre height and a tare weight of 7.7 tonnes, this behemoth should certainly make a large hole in the effluent pond during the working day.
Manufactured from 6mm plate steel the tank is supported along its full length by a heavy duty integrated chassis, the superstructure is carried on a HD tri-axle bogie system, with steered front and rear axles, fitted with oversized tyres, and offering hydraulic braking on all six wheels to stop progress safely.
High spec European componentry is used throughout and includes a Battioni Pagani rotary vane vacuum pump featuring auto lubrication to deliver 12,000 litres per minute output to fill the beast in less than two minutes. Pump protection sees a double moisture trap layout, whilst all fittings are either brass or heavily galvanised steel for corrosion protection and an extended operating life
Internally the tank is fitted with a reinforced baffle plate to prevent liquid surging as the tank empties, and offers twin manhole access points for easy entry to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Around the machine, three filling points are fitted as standard, which use 200mm sectional hoses for rapid filling.
Shown at Fieldays with optional sprung axles, and the operator friendly Autofill system, the range is offered with a 3 year warranty for peace of mind, and can be customised with a range of accessories to suit individual operating requirements.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
As New Zealand marks International Day of Rural Women today, women from across the horticulture sector are calling attention to the crucial role they play in building a more sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient industry.
Listed rural trader PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore and his deputy Sarah Brown have been voted out by shareholders.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
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