Cow collars reduce empty rate
With mating season just around the corner, Darfield dairy farmer Daniel Schat says activity-monitoring collars have been a game changer on his farm.
A firm stand on demonstrating machinery and technology is a key reason why 50% of the exhibitor sites are now sold for the South Island Agricultural Field Days, says spokesman Daniel Schat.
The biennial event routinely attracts about 30,000 visitors, he says.
“We are proud of our status as the field day with the largest machinery demonstration programme in New Zealand.”
The 2019 event will run from Wednesday March 27 to Friday March 29 at the field days’ permanent home near Kirwee, west of Christchurch.
Alastair Robinson, the new chair of the SIAFD executive committee, says preparations for the 2019 field days are tracking well and the organising committee is improving infrastructure at the venue.
“Sites are selling well, which is important for us because the income from registrations helps us to improve our facilities.”
An upgrade of the electrical infrastructure at the Kirwee site will make it easier and safer for exhibitors to set up and clean up afterwards. Earlier this year the organisers gravelled all the laneways, and have extended the irrigation system and planted native trees along the boundaries, helped by volunteers.
Robinson acknowledges RX Plastics, Ashburton, for the 150mm pipe used to extend the irrigator; Cresslands Contracting and Porter Group for digging the pipe trench; Tony Redmond, Andrew Walker and Rodney Hadfield for helping lay the pipe, and Orari Nursery for the native plants.
“A number of businesses have been very generous with their support, and others will step in with help as we get closer to the event,” Schat said.
Environment Southland says it has now ring-fenced $375,000 for new funding initiatives, aimed at enhancing water quality.
National Lamb Day, the annual celebration honouring New Zealand’s history of lamb production, could see a boost in 2025 as rural insurer FMG and Rabobank sign on as principal partners.
The East Coast Farming Expo is playing host to a quad of ‘female warriors’ (wahine toa) who will give an in-depth insight into the opportunities and successes the primary industries offer women.
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is sharing simple food safety tips for Kiwis to follow over the summer.
Beef produced from cattle from New Zealand's dairy sector could provide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 48, compared to the average for beef cattle, a new study by AgResearch has found.
The Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found farmers' expectations for their own business operations had also improved, with the net reading on this measure lifting to +37% from +19% previously.
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