Dairy farmers can increase system sustainability and maximize profit by implementing precision agriculture technologies.

That’s according to Craige McKenzie, an award winning farmer and precision agriculture consultant from Methven, New Zealand.

Mr McKenzie has successfully used precision farming technologies on an intensive dairy farm to maximize nutrient and irrigation efficiencies, and is now running 1200 milking cows on 320 hectares near the Canterbury Plains.

He also runs Greenvale Pastures, an intensive irrigated cropping operation, growing seed crops, wheat and ryegrass and won the coveted National Balance Farm Environmental Award in 2013.

Southern Australia dairy farmers will have an opportunity to hear Mr McKenzie speak on the implementation and benefits of precision farming on-farm at a free workshop, hosted by SPAA and DairySA.

His presentation will focus on the applications of precision farming technologies to manage fertilizers and measure pasture for nutrients as well as irrigation and water-use efficiency practices.

He will also speak about currently available technologies, emerging trends in precision farming and the environmental benefits he’s experienced through technology adoption.

"We see precision agriculture as a critical component in terms of advancing all farming systems, including dairy farming and monitoring pastures with a bit more precision is bound to add to the bottom line down the track," SPAA president Neale Postlethwaite said.

The event, supported by the Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board, will be hosted at the Trade Centre of the Mount Compass School on May 26 from 11am–2pm with a light lunch provided.

Event information: Using precision agriculture to maximize dairy profit, Monday May 26, 11am – 2pm,

Trade Centre, Mount Compass Area School, School Road, Mount Compass.

RSVP – For lunch, by May 19, to Monique White, DairySA – Monique@dairysa.com.au or 0400 972 206.

More information available at spaa.com.au/events.php