Gen-i’s Rural Market Manager, David Walker, says dairy farm effluent polluting lakes and waterways is damaging to the reputation of the rural industry and Gen-i is proud to be investing in Re:Gen to help farmers manage this headache.
“Farmers are facing increasing pressure to improve the way they manage and dispose of effluent or risk hefty fines of up to $60,000. Re:Gen is the most advanced effluent monitoring solution in the rural market. Investing in Harmonic’s Re:Gen is part of our commitment to providing integrated technology solutions and services that build a sustainable environment and a prosperous rural sector,” he said.
Re:Gen is a farmer focused tool that produces an irrigation recommendation to the farmer, by automatically collecting farm data on rainfall, soil moisture and temperature. Farmers are told via text message or computer how much effluent to apply to optimise pasture growth without wasting nutrients.
The text or website notification shows farmers the soil moisture deficit, how much effluent can be applied through that farm’s irrigation system and a summary of pond level and rainfall received. The information is available online and is illustrated with summaries, graphs and trends, making life a lot easier for the farmer. Telecom XT (and CDMA) are the core networks for the mobile data back backhaul from farms.
Re:Gen has been trialled on eight farms across New Zealand representing a range of soil types and effluent systems. Trials have shown Re:Gen prevents effluent ponds from overflowing saving farmers from large fines. Re:Gen is now available, please visit www.regenerated.co.nz for more details.
Re:Gen has also received development support from Massey University, Dairy NZ, and The Foundation of Research, Science and Technology.
For an animated demonstration on how Re:Gen works visit the Re:Gen site.
Re:Gen recently won the TUANZ "rural" Innovation Award for 2010. This prestigious award recognises Re:Gen as the most innovative rural initiative that is developed in New Zealand and enhances productivity in the rural sector, whether it be agribusiness, farming, the dairy industry, horticulture or otherwise. Read more »