Junket?
OPINION: The Hound notes that the Taxpayers’ Union recently revealed that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) spent more than $125,000 for its presence at this year’s Mystery Creek Fieldays.
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.
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.