increase font size
The Springarm team picked up the Prototype Award and a cheque for $10,000 at this year's Fieldays for inventing and developing a ballcock arm that won't break.
Sometimes the simplest product design can be uncannily clever and offer real benefits to the end user.
Two such designs caught the eye at the Fieldays Innovation Awards, one a godsend to anyone working with livestock and the other making life just a little easier for sheep farmers.
Walking away with the Prototype Award and a cheque for $10,000 was Springarm Products Limited. The company has adressed the age-old problem of inventing and developing a ballcock arm that won't break.
Instead of snapping when put under pressure by thirsty or inquisitive animals, the Springarm flexes - saving water, time, money, and reducing stress.
It was conceived by farm manager Ric Awburn; he was standing at an empty trough one evening, watching the cows nudging the ballcock, causing the arm to snap. He thought, "if only the arm could give a little". Fast forward two years and he has a durable and reliable ballcock arm that's easy to install on all types of valves and will be a saviour to livestock owners.
Throughout the Fieldays, a steady stream of farmers was handling the Springarm, wondering - no doubt - why they couldn't have thought of the simple solution.
"We received non-stop, positive feedback from farmers coming through who've been facing water supply issues for a long time," director of Springarm Products Limited, Marianne Awburn, told Rural News. "Many had relief on their faces as there's now a solution to a problem they've faced for so long."
At the other end of the spectrum, two farmers' daughters, Stacey Bell and Georgina Ranger - both students at St. Peters School Cambridge - have come up with the clever, simple and aptly named 'Mark It' drench gun.
The stand-out feature was an attachment at the base of the nozzle, taking the form of a round boss, which houes a sponge. Soaked with a food dye, after the animal is drenched and the nozzle is withdrawn from the mouth, the sponge leaves a streak of dye on the animal's cheek.
It is designed to fit all types of drench guns. The clever duo suggested the simple addition allowed users to be sure all stock had been drenched, removing the problem of under or overdosing animals - saving both time and money.
Back at the 2022 National Fieldays Innovation Awards, Jade Luxton, then a Year 13 pupil at St Pauls Collegiate School in Hamilton, was taking out a Highly Commended Award in the Young Innovators Category.
The arrival of new F8 and F9 designations for its 8000 and 9000 series forage harvesters, signals a swag of upgrades from John Deere, highlighted by topping the 1000hp mark for the first time.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
Ashburton-based Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the lower North Island and the South Island, effective August 1, 2025.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
