Czarnikow Launches Digital Milk Pricing Tool in NZ
New Zealand dairy farmers are set to be the first in the world to receive access to a new digital physical milk pricing tool that enables them to fix the price for their physical milk.
THE HUNT IS UNDERWAY for examples of innovation within New Zealand's irrigation sector as industry body IrrigationNZ gears up for its bi-ennial conference in Hawkes Bay.
Entries have just opened for IrrigationNZ's 'Innovation in Irrigation Award' in association with Aqualinc, which will be presented at the conference and expo next April, being held in Napier for the first time.
The prestigious award, which comes with a $2500 prize, celebrates, encourages and promotes innovation within New Zealand's irrigation industry.
Nominations close January 31 with entries required by February 14, 2014. Nomination forms are now available on the IrrigationNZ websitewww.irrigationnz.co.nz/events-and-training/innovation-in-irrigation-award/
IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis says the category is extremely broad and encompasses technical innovations by industry, initiatives which protect the environment and innovative thinking where irrigation has helped create resilient communities.
Past winners of the award include the North Otago Irrigation Company in 2012 which used its prize to re-establish the North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group (NOSLAM) to promote responsible farming in its area.
In 2010, Fielding-based Precision Irrigation won for its variable rate irrigation systems, which uses GPS to more effectively target water application. The company has since been purchased by multinational Lindsay Corporation and has sold over 160 variable rate irrigation systems throughout Australasia.
IrrigationNZ is also calling for nominations for the Ron Cocks Memorial Award with nomination forms also available on the IrrigationNZ website www.irrigationnz.co.nz
The award recognises a person who has made a significant contribution to irrigation within New Zealand. 2012 recipient was Brian Cameron from Ashburton. Nominations close February 11, 2014.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says no new cases of H5 bird flu have been detected following a case found earlier this week.
Two months after unveiling a major upgrade to its beef product, Halter says its farmers are on track for major production gains and additional grass growth.
New Zealanders are being urged to be alert following a confirmed positive case of H5 bird flu this week.
With a third of NZ dairy farmers still running outdated refrigerants, the country's largest farm refrigeration company says the opportunity for quick, meaningful emissions gains has never been clearer.
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