Fonterra launches $1500 on-farm funding for eligible farmers
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
Fonterra's Open Gate recorded a big turnout with a Christchurch farm recording a top attendance of 780 people and a Helensville farm just north of Auckland visited by 520.
They were among more than 12,000 people who registered nationally to attend Open Gates on November 11 and 500 staff volunteered on the day.
Eight hundred people booked within two days to attend the Helensville farm of fourth-generation farmers Scott and Sue Narbey, but heavy clouds deterred some Aucklanders from turning up. “Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” a Fonterra spokesman told Rural News.
“People have said it was eye-opening, that the Fonterra team and farmers were warm and welcoming, and they appreciated the opportunity to visit a dairy farm. The special edition Tip Top jersey caramel ice cream was also a hit.”
The Narbeys opened their gates for the second year running because they say they wanted to get good news stories out about dairy farming. They answered questions from visitors including how many hours staff work and supplementary feeding.
Their 155ha milking platform and 410-cow system 5 operation won the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards in 2017 and Scott says he was proud to open their environmental work to the public. It required extra work but it meant the farm got a spring clean before Christmas.
Their 44-bail rotary cowshed is set up to allow one person to milk through most of the season.
This includes automatic cup removal, Protrack drafting, in-shed feeding and EZ Heat camera. Water tanks and pumps are monitored using the Water Smart system at the main house, allowing pumps to be turned on and off to minimise water and power use.
Sound-bites they got from visitors included:
“We have a lot of dairy farms back in India and it was interesting to compare the difference. In India we have a much more traditional and manual version of agriculture but here the technology and quality tracking is very advanced.”– Hari, Mt Albert.
“Living in a built-up area, we wanted to show the kids what it’s like onfarm. It’s surprising to see the level of technology and how professional things are. The lengths they go to are incredible. It shows they’re pretty open and transparent.” – Charlie & Glen.
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
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