UK farmers offered transition support by New Zealand government

A government department in New Zealand has launched a new campaign promoting a range of agri-tech solutions which could provide benefits for UK farmers.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is trying to raise awareness of the country’s agri-tech sector and has released free guides and recommendations to help farm businesses in the UK benefit from these innovations.

The key areas covered are farm business management, livestock management, dairying, animal health and genetics, grass management, and machinery.

See also: Have UK’s Agri-Tech Centres achieved and what’s next?

Joe Nelson, NZTE trade commissioner said it could help UK farmers gain an understanding of the agri-tech routinely in use in New Zealand and how this could drive efficiency, profitability and resilience in their own businesses.

“With the transition from Basic Payment Scheme to environmentally-led support payments, it is likely British farmers are going to need to take significant strides in becoming more efficient and more profitable to ensure they are viable in the long term,” said Mr Nelson.

“In many cases, this will require a much greater adoption of technology, both on farm and in the management of the business.”

Farmers in New Zealand have a very pragmatic attitude, according to Brendan O’Connell, chief executive of Agri-tech New Zealand.

Mr O’Connell added that farmer mindset is an extremely important factor in adopting new technologies on farm.

“I recommend British farmers have a good read of all the guides,” he said.

“For some, it will open their eyes to the world of possibilities, whereas other farmers, those who are already adopting technology, are likely to be more familiar with some of the concepts they discuss.

“Either way, we believe everyone will take something from them that will go some way to helping them emerge from the ongoing transitional period in a stronger position.”

The guides can be found on the NTZE website.