Rural round-up

Manawatu farmers step ahead with EnviroWalk App:

A test run of DairyNZ’s new EnviroWalk app has delivered immediate benefits for Hopkins Farming Group in Manawatu.

By the end of this month, all 12 farm managers in the Hopkins Farming Group will be taking an EnviroWalk.

That’s come after a successful trial on one of its farms by chief executive Shaun Back and farm manager Shawn Southee. . .

#NaturalCapital is a powerful tool in “ensuring we that we think of our responsibility to future generations to hand on a country, and a planet, in a better state than we found it.” @michaelgove closing remarks @oxfordfarming #OFC18 #GreenBrexit pic.twitter.com/IqY5CkpJmZ

— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) January 4, 2018

Looking back at 2017: top 10 advancements and achievements in agriculture:

As many are looking ahead to what 2018 may hold, we thought we’d give a quick rundown of the incredible achievements and technological advancements made in the agricultural space over the past year, and perhaps what the future may hold for the industry and technology. Even if crops around the country were not quite of the 2016-17 volumes. If you have a key achievement that you think is missing get in touch!

So without further ado here are our top 10 for 2017!

10: Launch of the Invisible Farmer

The recognition of the role of women in agriculture through the launch of the Invisible Farmer project was a fantastic way to kick off the year. The three-year project aims to tell the stories of women in agriculture and: . .

“My starting point in thinking of our countryside, and of rural life overall, is that its overall worth to us goes far beyond its economic value alone.” Environment Secretary Michael Gove outlines the principles of #NaturalCapital at #OFC18 #GreenBrexit pic.twitter.com/xNHljhdaqM

— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) January 4, 2018

A farmer meltdown – Troy Bishopp:

I remember it well. It was 6 a.m. on June 11, 2015 when my friend and young farmer, John Suscovich, announced to the world on his 75th Farm Marketing Solutions Podcast, that he was having an emotional meltdown and heading into the thralls of depression. As he divulged his inner pain, a wave of tears dripped onto my keyboard, partly from my empathy for him but also from the release that, I too, suffer from the “Burning candles at both ends” syndrome.

Mental health is not something we discuss very much, especially at the farm level, partly from internal pride, and the connotation that we are tough, optimistic and can handle any situation. “We as farmers as a whole do not like to talk about mental health. This really should be the first thing talked about before getting into farming full time,” said farmer Bruce Linebaugh. . . 

"I respect the skill and passion of farmers, growers shepherds, stockmen, vets and agronomists who provide us with safe, high quality food and drink, and I want to see them prosper." @michaelgove at #OFC18 #GreenBrexit

— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) January 4, 2018