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.
Two new products added to the hum on the Rurtec stand at Fieldays last month.
In fact, the Lanati cordless handpiece was such a hit that all stock sold out and the product is now on back order, says Rurtec founder Ian Carr.
The handpiece is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, making jobs quick and easy.
“Convenience is the key for knocking dags off sheep in the yards before loading them for transport or prior to running them into the shed for shearing,” he says.
“There was positive reaction to the Lanati, to the point where we’ve had to organise another shipment to keep ahead of orders.”
Carr says the handpiece is also handy to have in a ute or on a bike for use in the backblocks. “It’s great for quickly cleaning up flystruck sheep.”
Dairy farmers also liked it, many buying it for tail trimming. Frank Fransen and his son Tim were amazed how quick and easy tail trimming can be, with little chance of cutting into the skin.
Also new at Fieldays was Rurtec’s new Adlam harness, which combines the prolapse functionality of the Bearin harness with restraint as enabled by the Adopta harness.
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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