Dairy power
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.
Sustainability and scientific innovation is high on the agenda of Waikato dairy farmer Grant Coombes, standing as a self-nominated candidate in the forthcoming DairyNZ director elections.
“I represent the next generation of farmers, I know the challenges we face and I believe we are in a position to grow, innovate and continue to do things better,” he says.
He says it’s time farmers embraced new technology and innovation to tackle environmental sustainability.
Coombes lives at Taupiri, north Waikato, 2000 milking cows, plus dairy support and dry stock cattle, on 750ha.
Open to trying something new, he is in the process of phasing out his fleet of quads for new electric farmbikes.
“I’ve got seven Ubco 2x2 electric bikes, and they are great,” says Coombes. “They are quiet and easy to operate. I’m passionate about sustainable farming and reducing emissions.”
Coombes says he first heard about the Ubco bikes at Fieldays two years ago. “I’ve always been interested in innovation so these caught my eye.” With regulatory and political pressures making demands on farmers, Coombes believes new science and technology will be vital.
“These days we are farming in a ‘fish bowl’ and that means that the wider community in New Zealand is looking at farming, and so is the international community and our export markets. So we must look at new ways to improve sustainability onfarm.”
He believes scientific developments and technology hold the key.
“Farmers can take heart in some of the innovative discoveries happening in NZ,” he says.
He cites as an example CRV Ambreed’s LowN Sires, a genetic discovery announced in March, with potential to reduce nitrogen leaching on farms by 20% within 20 years. The company identified and selected bulls genetically superior for a new trait related to the amount of urea nitrogen in milk. Cows bred from these bulls are expected to excrete less nitrogen in their urine which will, in turn, reduce the amount of nitrogen leached from grazed pasture.
“This could save NZ 10 million kg in nitrogen leaching a year, based on the national herd number of 6.5 million dairy cattle.”
Then there’s the plantain Ecotain, launched last month by Agricom, designed to reduce nitrogen leaching from urine patches by up to 50%.
He believes agricultural leaders need to get into the conversations about science and technology and how they can help farmers.
“It’s important for our industry leaders to communicate the latest scientific developments, products and technology to grass-roots farmers,” says Coombes. “I’d like to see agricultural leaders collaborating more and communicating better on science and technology, and making that a part of the ‘story of dairying’.”
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
After tasting 240 New Zealand made cheeses, judges have bestowed medals upon 199 of the entries.
Bay of Plenty’s top share farmers Andre and Natalie Meier are no strangers to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winning circle.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…