Latest news with #NationalFieldays
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Science
- NZ Herald
Fieldays boost farmer innovation despite science reorganisation: Dr Jacqueline Rowarth
Sheep, also flightless, are decreasing 'thanks' to Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) settings favouring pine trees, but also reflecting changes in markets. The field days, at least in the case of the National Fieldays held at Mystery Creek in June (except during the Covid disruptions), go from strength to strength, despite the fog that is common in June in Waikato. The point about field days, whether national, local or on-farm, is that they allow farmer-to-farmer exchange of information, as well as farmer-to-researcher, rural professionals, policymakers and interested urban-dwellers. They also allow researchers, rural professionals and policymakers to interact with each other – and the people who have left the big cities to embrace whatever the field days have on offer. Field days are, to quote an advertisement for a popular car, a real charcuterie of activity and people. It is the charcuterie that stimulates innovation – new thinking about a problem, challenge or issue. Farmers might be there to gather information and kick a few tyres of potential replacement tractors, but the value of the conversation is often to the person listening. Scientists, researchers and developers frequently get their ideas from farmers, saying that they've met a problem or explaining how they overcame that problem. This stimulates the scientist to think about how the problem might be solved or how the solution might be tested more widely. And then they do the research. At least, that is how it has worked in the past. The reorganisations in the science sector won't stop the ideas, but how the 'action' will follow has yet to be decided. Dr Shane Reti, the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology (coincidentally a good description of what can be seen at National Fieldays), and also the Minister for Universities, inherited the reorganisation in the Cabinet reshuffle at the beginning of the year. Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says farmer innovation defines New Zealand. Reti is clear that the reorganisation aligns with the Government's priorities of driving economic growth and will allow the new organisations to be 'in a better position to deliver excellent science'. 'It will also make sure they're adopting more collaborative ways of working with universities and seeking partnerships with private sector investors, sooner,' he says. The focus is on generating money and it is hardly surprising that the new Science Advisory Panel, chaired by the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor, Dr John Roche, has members with a track record of investment, as well as engineering and science. Comments have been made about the apparent predominance of dairy, but it is the track record of achievement behind current roles that should be examined. Further, New Zealand should be reassured that people who have an interest in the greatest revenue-earning sector are involved in the future of investment. The big question remains whether the investment will be enough to stimulate what is needed. The budget-shuffling indicated an emphasis on commercially viable science, but the quantum of investment is still below what has been urged repeatedly by the science sector. Reti has said: 'Clear direction for the science, innovation and technology sector will give the public and private sector confidence to forge ahead with critical research that will help grow our economy.' This suggests that co-investment is expected from companies and from the levy bodies that support the different sectors in primary production. This is not a new plan. 'User-pays' dominated the thinking in the creation of the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) in 1992. This was when most of the government funding became contestable. Unintended consequences included bidding for safe science (outcome known) and reduced collaboration (explained in Dr Doug Edmeades' paper Is the Commercial Model Appropriate for Science?). To encourage collaboration, the National Science Challenges (NSCs, 2014-2024) 'brought together the country's top scientists to work collaboratively across disciplines, institutions and borders to achieve their objectives'. Getting going, however, took longer than anticipated because of the cross-party negotiations that had to occur before the collaboration could start. Reti's statement on collaboration for the new system is important. The lessons from the CRIs and the NSCs are the foundation for a better future and, knowing the focus is the primary sector, the National Fieldays are a great place to start talking with the farmers. Along with clouds, kiwi, sheep and, more recently, cows, it is farmer innovation that defines New Zealand, allowing the country to have a first-world economy on the basis of agricultural exports. That is an extraordinary achievement. Whether the future continues in the same vein will depend upon how the science reorganisation plays out and the talks that are held with the primary sector. Farmers continue to be the key.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Federated Farmers Launches KiwiSaver Petition
Press Release – Federated Farmers Federated Farmers has launched this petition: to hold the Government accountable and send a clear message that its time to follow through on their promise. Federated Farmers has launched a nationwide petition calling on the Government to urgently change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder. 'Accessing your KiwiSaver to buy your first farm, flock, herd or home has been an incredibly hot topic for farmers,' Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says. 'On the campaign trail of the 2023 election, Todd McClay stood up in front of young farmers in Morrinsville and made a promise that he would make it happen. 'I'm sure he had the best of intentions, but unfortunately farmers have been bitterly disappointed by the lack of action from the Government on the issue to date. 'That's why Federated Farmers has launched this petition: to hold the Government accountable and send a clear message that it's time to follow through on their promise.' The petition's launch has been timed to coincide with the National Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and politicians will gather at Mystery Creek. 'Politicians are always out in force at Fieldays, rubbing shoulders with farmers, and we really wanted to make sure KiwiSaver issues were a topic of conversation,' McIntyre says. 'Allowing young farmers to access their KiwiSaver to buy their first herd, home, farm or flock is the number one thing the Government could do to help our next generation of farmers. 'It would shave years of hard work and saving off their progression through the industry, and really turbocharge their farming careers. 'Why is the Government okay with that money being managed by stockbrokers and invested in Fortune 500 companies, but not by a farmer buying a herd to go sharemilking?' McIntyre says he can't see any reason the Government wouldn't throw their full support behind making this policy change happen. 'A lot of young urban people enter KiwiSaver because it's a good way to build a deposit for their first house. They're saving for a home early on – not for their retirement. 'We're asking for young farmers to have the same opportunity – a one-off withdrawal early in their careers to help them get ahead by purchasing their first home, farm, herd, or flock.' New Zealanders are encouraged to sign the petition online at or at Federated Farmers' Fieldays site D70.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Federated Farmers Launches KiwiSaver Petition
Federated Farmers has launched a nationwide petition calling on the Government to urgently change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder. "Accessing your KiwiSaver to buy your first farm, flock, herd or home has been an incredibly hot topic for farmers," Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says. "On the campaign trail of the 2023 election, Todd McClay stood up in front of young farmers in Morrinsville and made a promise that he would make it happen. "I'm sure he had the best of intentions, but unfortunately farmers have been bitterly disappointed by the lack of action from the Government on the issue to date. "That's why Federated Farmers has launched this petition: to hold the Government accountable and send a clear message that it's time to follow through on their promise." The petition's launch has been timed to coincide with the National Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and politicians will gather at Mystery Creek. "Politicians are always out in force at Fieldays, rubbing shoulders with farmers, and we really wanted to make sure KiwiSaver issues were a topic of conversation," McIntyre says. "Allowing young farmers to access their KiwiSaver to buy their first herd, home, farm or flock is the number one thing the Government could do to help our next generation of farmers. "It would shave years of hard work and saving off their progression through the industry, and really turbocharge their farming careers. "Why is the Government okay with that money being managed by stockbrokers and invested in Fortune 500 companies, but not by a farmer buying a herd to go sharemilking?" McIntyre says he can't see any reason the Government wouldn't throw their full support behind making this policy change happen. "A lot of young urban people enter KiwiSaver because it's a good way to build a deposit for their first house. They're saving for a home early on - not for their retirement. "We're asking for young farmers to have the same opportunity - a one-off withdrawal early in their careers to help them get ahead by purchasing their first home, farm, herd, or flock." New Zealanders are encouraged to sign the petition online at or at Federated Farmers' Fieldays site D70.
NZ Autocar
6 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
First Drive: Mahindra XUV 3XO
Premium Distributors Ltd, importers and distributors of Mahindra vehicles, is launching a new small SUV, dubbed XUV 3XO. It's the smallest of its XUV range and it dots down in time for the National Fieldays, where it will go on show with pricing details released then. Mahindra says the XUV 3XO promises to set new value standards in its segment. The base model AX5 kicks off at under $30k while the similar but better-specified AX7L adds $3k to the bottom line. And it's not like the base model is exactly wanting for features. It comes with six airbags, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, wireless Android Auto and Apple Car play, and a Qi charger. Atop these features the AX7L adds a Skyroof. This is a panoramic roof with tilt and slide functionality. There are also 17-inch diamond-cut alloys, and a Harman Kardon Premium Audio with subwoofer. Expect also soft touch leatherette dash, doors and seat upholstery, LED fog lamps, parking sonar up front, a cooled glove compartment, 65w USB fast charging and dual-tone roof colour. Powering both models is a Euro 6 82kW/200Nm three-cylinder turbopetrol engine. Its combined fuel consumption figure using ADR81/01 testing regimen is 6.5L/100km (rightcar 7.2). Rather than a CVT that's typical in this sector, the 3XO features an automatic six-speed transmission by Aisin. The vehicle has been extensively tested in New Zealand in both urban and rural situations, including gravel roads and in all-weather conditions. Both 3XOs come with a seven-year/150,000km warranty. There's no ANCAP rating, though there should be soon given XUV 3XO is also set to debut on the Australian market. So that's the essential rundown for the XUV 3XO. What's it like exactly? Mahindra NZ gave motoring journalists a one-on-one drive recently, with two vehicles to check out. One was a new upper level model, the other a test mule towing an unbraked trailer weighing 750kg. The weather? Abysmal about captured it perfectly. Really, a day for ducks only. To behold this seems familiar. That's because it is based on a SsangYong Tivoli, the firm at one point owned by Mahindra. So rather than reinvent the wheel, Mahindra used this as the basis for its own small crossover. Only they didn't go with the Tivoli drive train, instead using their own engine. The smaller displacement turbo-fired engine was chosen for its mix of torque and economy. The little triple develops its 200Nm from 1500 to 3500rpm. There's enough output to keep pace with the 3XO not towing a trailer, though we had to row the gearbox along manually for best effect. You can do that at the lever. Left to its own devices this likes to lug away, keeping revs low and fuel use the same. This features no electrification yet while towing it was using fuel at a rate of just under 10L/100km. The rest of the time, on the open road and not hanging around we saw about 6.5L/100km, and at times on adaptive cruise as low as 5.5L/100km. At the speed limit in top, around 1750rpm is showing. So what else is new about the 3XO? The name clearly references the crossover division within which it lies, looking like an SUV but with front-wheel drive alone. It features 201mm of ground clearance for easy entry and exit. It may have a Tivoli like shape, nothing really different there but up front a new grille and headlights give it a more modern face. Tivoli sold for roughly $40k so this is significantly less expensive. And yet it is better specified. True, the old Tivoli had adaptive cruise but it was crude. This is much better, with appropriate following distances, lane centring that isn't annoying and it's easy enough to activate with its separate dials on the right side of the wheel. Where Tivoli had cloth seat coverings this has leather-like upholstery. And where Tivoli was awash in hard plastics, this has pleasing soft coverings in the places you'd expect and lots of gloss black finishings, on the centre console, steering wheel and the like. nstead of having the 10.25-inch central touchscreen as master and commander, it handles stuff like phone hook-up and radio while down below are buttons for heating and ventilation. Driver assist functions you manipulate within the instrument screen. It's a bit of a fuss turning off lane keeping but is worth the effort. Seats are manually operated while mirrors and windows are powered. There's no lumbar adjustment or steering column adjust in the horizontal plane. But this has great visibility, in all directions. The 3XO has three drive modes, Zip, Zap and Zoom. Think of Zip as Sip mode. Zap is Normal and Zoom is Sport. There's quite a noticeable difference between Zip and Zap to the point that you'd select Zip only in urban settings or when low on fuel. Zap is the default drive mode, while Zoom we used for hauling because output is slightly more forthcoming. This engine gives of its best across the midband from about 2000-3500rpm. With each upshift you're back into the torque band again. As to actual performance, the weather was so shocking we didn't bother attaching our GPS based gear but it seems to hold sixth up all manner of hills. Getting it to downshift you need to be a bit more active with the gas pedal than normal. Being a wet day, you get plenty of experience determining grip levels and the chosen rubber really didn't put a foot wrong. Despite the deluge, we didn't once detect any semblance of a loss of traction, no slipping or sliding, just a confident on-road stance. Brakes are good too, discs all round, and weren't fazed by the added weight of the trailer. It runs a Mac strut/torsion beam set up and the ride is quiet (no in-cabin SPLs above 70db), tending firm in the torsion beam rear. Unsurprisingly it is calmer with a trailer attached and some luggage on board. Mention of, the load bay swallows up to 364L of gear, not bad for something not even 4m long (3990mm). With split folding 60/40 that expands out to around 800L, in two tiers. While abbreviated, this rides on a relatively long 2600mm wheelbase, so room in the rear for a city SUV is quite generous. Helping is a relatively flat floor so yes, you could park three people in the back okay. A few things but most like Yaris Cross and CX-3 are more expensive. Those that aren't are generally in runout. The AX7L comes up against Kia's Seltos LX model with similar output but CVT. ZS Excite is similar money but doesn't have the torque of the 3XO. Base ASX isn't as economical and has a CVT. The main rivals on paper then are Stonic, Jolion, Omoda C5 and C3 Shine. Check out the XUV 3XO at Fieldays next week. For more, see the July issue of NZ Autocar.
Techday NZ
30-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Farmlands FLEX to deliver solar microgrids for rural sector
Farmlands has announced a partnership with Blackcurrent to launch Farmlands FLEX, a solar and technology joint venture aimed at reshaping energy sourcing and management in New Zealand's rural sector. Farmlands FLEX goes beyond solar panel installations by providing intelligent microgrid systems that are custom-built and managed to serve the specific requirements of working farms and orchards. The initiative seeks to supply farmers with greater energy independence, aiming to reduce power bills, maintain essential operations during outages, and potentially generate an additional income stream. Farmlands Chief Executive Officer Tanya Houghton said, "Rising energy costs are a huge concern for our customers. Finding solutions for on-farm energy needs have been a part of Farmlands' strategy for a long time." To support the profitability and productivity of farmers and growers, Farmlands offers five-year electricity pricing certainty through its partnership with electricity provider Meridian. In addition, Farmlands' fuel joint venture, Fern Energy, is now the country's largest rural bulk fuel provider after three years of operation. With Farmlands FLEX set to become a significant element of its wider service offering, Farmlands is positioning the new system as a response to ongoing industry challenges regarding energy reliability and affordability. Houghton stated, "The on-farm applications for Farmlands FLEX are wide-reaching - the 5am dairy shed power surge, keeping irrigation running during blackouts and protecting frost fans when electricity isn't available or there's an outage. Farmlands FLEX address real farm challenges." The new solution will be formally launched at National Fieldays, but Farmlands and Blackcurrent have indicated that information and consultation opportunities are available now for interested farmers and growers. Among the immediate benefits highlighted for Farmlands FLEX are up to 40 percent reductions in electricity costs, operational continuity during power outages, and the conversion of power expenses into a tangible on-farm asset. There is also scope for customers to generate new income through the sale of surplus energy to the power grid. The company cited examples where farmers have targeted electricity savings in the thousands of dollars per month, and one recent estimate indicated an annual savings of approximately NZD $55,000 for a single customer. Houghton encouraged farmers to begin their own assessments. "No need to wait for Fieldays, grab your power bill and call us to start talking about the options for your farm or orchard." Follow us on: Share on:
