Fieldays’ sustainability credentials getting greener
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Anticipating the All Blacks heading to Dublin in November to reap their revenge, an even bigger Irish contingent will visit New Zealand this week for the 50th Fieldays.
NZ is a key market for Irish exporters, so the best of the Ireland’s agritech industry, supported by Enterprise Ireland, will show their latest research and innovative solutions, dubbed ‘The Irish Advantage’.
C&F Green Energy makes small and medium-size wind turbines for farms on off the grid. The company offers models from 11 - 250kW -- high yield, low noise and able to be monitored remotely 24/7.
Equilume, a developer of light therapy devices for the health, growth and performance of horses, now also makes light masks for cows; these adjust the breeding cycle of the animal, allowing it to get ‘daylight’ while inside or at night, to increase lactations and so increase yields by up to 9% (in trials).
Other Irish exhibitors will include Dairymaster milking equipment, milking parlours and feeding systems; Keenan mixer and feed wagons; Malone Farm Machinery, HiSpec, Major Equipment and ProDig Attachments.
There will be balers from McHale, tankers from Abbey Machinery, spreaders from Agri-Spread and wrappers from Tanco.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
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.

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