Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
Oamaru-headquartered Te Pari’s recent acquisition of Vetmarker from Fenemor Innovations includes all trademarks and patents associated with the sheep docking apparatus.
Te Pari says the range of patented products – created by Taihape farmer John Fenemor – have been designed to minimise lamb distress and increase efficiency during lamb docking and tailing procedures.
Lambs are placed into the apparatus and cradled by rollers as they move through the system, allowing farmers easy access for docking and tailing procedures.
The Vetmarker product range is patented, with bespoke features to ensure lambs land on their feet when exiting and a spray unit to mitigate flystrike.
Te Pari global sales manager Jeremy Blampied says the acquisition means the patented products will remain under Kiwi ownership and product manufacturing will shift from the North Island to Oamaru.
“We are delighted to introduce the state-ofthe- art Vetmarker products into our Te Pari offering,” he says. “They are complementary to our sheep-handling portfolio and fit nicely within the livestock handling and animal management ecosystem.”
With a global distribution reach, Te Pari plans to export the Vetmarker system to farms around the world, particularly in Australia and the UK.
Noting a global shift towards precision animal management, where animals are managed on an individual basis – particularly in Australia and the UK – Blampied says the Vetmarker product range aligns with this. He adds that while NZ will always be a key market for Te Pari, there are now more than 75 million sheep in Australia, and 20 million sheep in the UK.
Fenemor Innovations owner Gillian Fenemor says the time is right to sell the product line and she is thrilled the Vetmarker system will stay under Kiwi ownership with Te Pari.
“We started everything from scratch and are proud of what we have achieved over the years,” she says. “We have also been Te Pari customers for 25 years, so look forward to seeing the Vetmarker continue under their ownership.”
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.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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