Halter goes global, but NZ farmers remain core to innovation
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
The fourth MobileTECH conference early next year will bring together technology leaders from across New Zealand’s agriculture, horticulture and forestry sectors.
The event will highlight the very latest in productivity tools for the rural sector in Hamilton on March 30-31, 2016.
MobileTECH says innovative new technologies are emerging every day, so it is critical that the rural sector capitalises on these opportunities to ensure they remain internationally competitive. Examples of these technologies include UAVs counting sheep, automated milking systems, robotic tractors for precision farming or automated spraying or irrigation systems.
Even with the Government’s $2 billion investment in broadband coverage, which aims to boost internet connectivity to around 98% of New Zealanders, rural operators still need the tools and technologies to benefit from it.
MobileTECH says a key benefit of greater rural connectivity is the ability to collect and analyse real-time data. Remote sensors in the soil have been enabling precision agriculture for decades, however new disruptive technologies are now providing a flood of useful information that is revolutionising the industry.
Farmers place electronic tags on their animals, forestry companies scan every tree as it is harvested and now scientists even track bees by attaching wireless sensors to them.
“There is a lot of excitement in the rural sector about the potential of big data in improving the long-term profitably of the sector,” said Ken Wilson, programme manager for MobileTECH 2016.
“As well as showcasing the wide range of technologies at MobileTECH in March, issues like big data, cloud-based systems, wireless monitoring, data management, enhanced quality satellite imagery, mobile computing, UAVs, robotics and automation and the internet of things will be major talking points at the event”.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…