Craig McKenzie recently received a farmer’s award from the US Institute of Advanced Agriculture in St. Louis, Missouri.

Craig McKenzie of New Zealand received the title of “Farmer of 2016”

Exact farming involves the use of a variety of methods and technologies to ensure the targeted use of water and fertilizers in accordance with the needs of crops. McKenzie has been using precision farming techniques in his own family farm since 1984, focusing on optimizing nutrients and irrigation efficiency to improve farm sustainability, both ecological and financial.

In 2010, he founded Agri Optics, a provider of precision farming tools and services for New Zealand’s agricultural systems, with a focus on field analysis and spatial characteristics for management decisions. McKenzie also played a key role in the creation of the PAAZZ, whose mission is to raise awareness and use of precision farming technologies in agricultural production systems.

Mackenzie believes that a major role in the innovative development of agriculture in New Zealand is played by the fact that farmers are working in a unique, non-grant agricultural system. This provides farmers with the opportunity – and demand – to adapt to changing situations.

Growing New Zealand’s high-yielding crops requires accurate inputs to support the international image of an efficient producer and provide market value.

Agriculture is developing like all other parts of our society – just as we now ride safer and more economical cars than in the past, we are now also using more intelligent agriculture technologies.

Agricultural enterprises have become more efficient and use fewer inputs to grow planned or larger quantities of products. Technologies – including GPS applications – help manage that, allowing farmers who implement precision agriculture to have less environmental impact.

“Using this technology means the ability to bypass waterways and other sensitive areas, eliminating the impact on the environment,” says McKenzie.

“This is the way forward we need to address in terms of environmental and financial sustainability.” McKenzie continues to introduce precision farming technology to sustain his business on a sustainable basis.

Having received the title of farmer of the year in the field of precision agriculture, McKenzie hopes to increase the opportunities available to New Zealand agrarians. “One of the things that gives this reward is a demonstration of the changes taking place in our agricultural sector,” he says. “It’s great to have a global recognition that New Zealand’s agriculture is ahead.”

Source: www.nzherald.co.nz