Ravensdown partners with Footrot Flats to celebrate Kiwi farming heritage
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Ravensdown is welcoming the overhaul of the Overseer nutrient modelling tool.
Owners of Overseer are setting up a new company to manage, develop and license the software.
As part of the transition, funding for Overseer will increase substantially to at least $2.25 million per year over the transition phase.
Ravensdown has already invested millions of dollars in the world-leading software over the years, through Fertiliser Association of New Zealand (FANZ).
“All certified nutrient management advisors at Ravensdown are given advanced training in using Overseer among other technologies,” says Ravensdown’s chief executive Greg Campbell who is also on the board of FANZ.
“The team here are key users of this vital decision support tool and our shareholders have benefitted from us supporting it with funding and scientific input over the years,” says Campbell.
“But it’s fair to say that there are several ways that the tool can be improved and setting up a business that is solely focused on quality and funding is an important step forward.”
The new business will be tasked with:
Improving customer service (including improving the helpdesk)
Setting up a formal quality assurance programme
Fast-tracking critical maintenance and testing work
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

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