| 67 Adding value for farmers and growers Over the past year, Farmlands has expanded their agronomy capability through the Agronomy Development Programme. Kim Newth RURAL SERVICES » Farmlands Farmlands, New Zealand’s largest rural supplies co-operative, has continued to make strong progress over the past year on its goals to support New Zealand farmers and growers with the right farm inputs at the right time and at the best possible prices. The Kiwi-owned co-op released positive half-year results in February showing a 14% rise in revenue that reflects an ongoing focus on improvement, including product and supply chain transformation over the past three years. With the acquisition of Seales Winslow and the Winton Mill facility last June, Farmlands is now New Zealand’s largest co-op owned animal nutrition business. “In addition, we have the biggest number of specialists in the country to serve our shareholders so we are in a very strong position,” says PhD Elena Duter, Farmlands’ Head of Agronomy Technical Field Growth. Over recent months, Farmlands has been proactively investing in its frontline teams. Activating agronomy is a key focus. Farmlands provides seed options, advanced chemical solutions on-farm and the latest advice on soil, fertiliser, pasture and farm systems. Over the past year, Farmlands has expanded their agronomy capability through the Agronomy Development Programme to further boost the team’s expertise. “Our focus is on bringing knowledge to the team, working closely with our suppliers to provide regional and national training. We hold two major national training sessions that are geared around preparing for autumn and spring. Our next one is coming up in June/July to prepare teams for spring.” Volatile, unpredictable weather is a theme in the training. “We need to look at how to help farmers with unpredicted paddock situations like water logging and drought. Every year we experience more change and challenges – the weather is not stable, creating unpredictable patterns – so this spring could look completely different to previous ones.” Elena has been leading newly launched Shareholder Series Discussion Groups to address specific topics for farmers. The most recent session covered the dos and don’ts of lucerne and dryland pastures for farmers in the Taupo area. “It’s about helping our share holders to understand and prepare for the use of more resilient pastures.” Farmlands’ Agronomy Development Programme for its technical field sales team is focussed on a farm system approach. Currently, the three cadets training to become agronomists experience a series of workshops, online and in-person training with industry players, train the trainer coaching and sales skills techniques. Another significant milestone for Farmlands has been the launch of AgStar in 2024, their first own-label agchem range of affordable, direct-sourced agricultural chemicals. Elena says it’s providing competitively-priced generic chemistry that will fit any system. “These are basic, proven generic products, New Zealand registered and safe. Some will want to keep using the same chemistry they always have and there’s nothing wrong with that and we support it, but for those wanting to get a more economic price, we are able to pass those savings to shareholders. It’s another tool in the toolbox for farmers.” Our core business is investing in the research and development of forage options, and in the advancement of endophyte technology to increase ƋĘå ŞųŅĀƋŸ ųåƋƚųĹåÚ to farmers. AGC2727 HIGH PERFORMANCE OPTIONS FOR PRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS. For more information contact 0800 183 358, visit +EVQPERHW or gofarmgrown.co.nz OUTSTANDING SUMMER AND AUTUMN PERFORMANCE WITH LATE SPRING QUALITY. ALL REGIONS, ALL SEASONS, COMPLETE ALL ROUNDER. NEWZEALAND’S NEWGENERATION OF CLOVER. NEXT STEP IN KALE GENETICS. NEW 37 ® ® 37 ® ® Agricom is proud to support -(' ) .. NEW * Legion has been bred, selected and successfully tested as a perennial and will function as a perennial ryegrass. Due to a small number of tip awns Legion is certified as Lolium Boucheanum. * Also launched last year, FarmlandsPRO provides a self-service tool that’s simplifying on-farm orders and offering better pricing. “It means people can make their orders without needing to leave the farm and they can easily compare prices too.”
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