Farm Gauge tool puts focus on farm practices and systems

DairyNZ Farmers' Forum at Mystery Creek, where dairy farmers, sector, business and political leaders met to discuss the future of dairy.

A new farm tool, Farm Gauge, was launched at the DairyNZ Farmers' Forum in Waipa last week.

DairyNZ's latest online tool has been developed with the help of dairy farmers to help other farmers assess their business, identify areas to focus on and support them to take action.

"Farm Gauge has been built alongside farmers who have piloted and tested it, to help us ensure we have a great tool for other dairy farmers," says Paul Bird, DairyNZ senior project manager.

"It looks at eight areas of the farm system — strategy, feed, finance, health/safety and wellbeing, herd management, people, environment and infrastructure," says Paul.
"The Farm Gauge process takes farmers through each section and helps identify areas to improve, by offering advice, resources and actions."

Farm Gauge is modelled off DairyNZ's Whole Farm Assessment approach, which has been adapted so farmers can carry out their own farm assessment.

Developed in 2010, the Whole Farm Assessment analyses strengths, weaknesses, risks and opportunities across all components of the business.

Paul says because dairy farmers have a huge scope of responsibilities across the farm, Farm Gauge is designed to help select which business areas to prioritise.

"This will help farmers feel less overwhelmed and deliver businesses which are more profitable, productive, efficient and enjoyable," says Paul.

"We'd love to hear what farmers think about Farm Gauge, as we continue developing it."

The DairyNZ Farmers' Forum is a two-day event which wazs held last Tuesday and Wednesday at Mystery Creek.

It hosted Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor, Minister for Climate Change James Shaw, Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon, economist Cameron Bagrie, author and science communicator Julian Cribb and mental health campaigner Mike King.

It is a biennial event which brings together political and economic views, and discusses sustainable farming, future food and farm practices.

¦Farmers can use Farm Gauge at www.dairynz.co.nz/farmgauge.