New Zealand and Ireland Extend $34.5m Climate Research Partnership for Agriculture
Ireland and NZ have concluded a deal to extend a joint research programme on climate change.
A kiwi company that believes its computer software can help reduce farm accidents and fatalities is joining the New Zealand 2019 Agritech mission to UK and Ireland.
Zero Harm Farm will join 20 other businesses representing the sector, taking in the Irish Ploughing Championships. National Fieldays Society will pay for its flights and accommodation.
The company contested the 2019 Fieldays International Innovation Award with its simple, portable and paperless system for better managing safety, communication and compliance in agribusiness.
As participants they were eligible to apply for a $5000 scholarship to take part in the mission.
Fieldays’ international business manager Jim Grennell says Zero Harm Farm won funding because its software application addresses a big problem associated with workplace safety on farm.
“The location based hazard management system can be simply and rapidly adapted to specific workplaces,” he said. “It can work in all farm systems needing hazard management and so is scaleable from a global perspective.”
Zero Harm Farm co-founder Mark Orr says its system can help reduce serious harm and fatalities on farms globally.
“This trade mission will help us understand the nuances of additional markets, and give us a feel for the UK and Ireland’s agricultural future direction in general.”
The company will exhibit in the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Precinct, where it will have a booth and facilities for the three day of the event, and opportunity to present at functions.
Former Federated Farmers president Katie Milne is National’s candidate for the West Coast- Tasman seat in this year’s general election.
The medicinal cannabis sector has received a boost with the launch of a new grower body and an extraction facility in north Waikato.
Dougal Morrison has been elected as the new President of the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA).
Perrin Ag has appointed Vicky Ferris as its new Hawke's Bay consultant.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society is encouraging teachers to register school groups for the 2026 National Fieldays, set to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre from 10-13 June.
The appointment of Richard Allen as Fonterra's new chief executive signals execution, not strategy, according to agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.

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