The Rata Blog

Discover innovations, news and tips from NZ's own farm machinery attachments manufacturer.

Saving Costs On Farm, With Prices Increasing

Posted by Casey-lee Cranston on Aug 1, 2022 10:00:00 AM

In recent times and 2022 especially, Farmers have had to reassess the budget as costs continue to rise. With higher fuel costs, increased costs on fertiliser going up 30-50%, price increase on machinery and facing supply issues or delays in stock, increasing interest rates, rising costs of energy, rates, wages and audits. In turn creating farmers to be cautious to try and save costs on farms.

Statistics New Zealand released it’s latest farm expense price index and it showed large inflation costs for farmers over the past two years. They reported that four key farming costs have experienced inflation of more than 10% between 2019 and 2021. Electricity increased by 21%, while the cost of fertiliser, animal feed, and cultivation, harvesting, and stock grazing charges increased by 15.9%, 18.9%, and 21%, respectively, from the previous year. Food remains in high demand worldwide, particularly dairy goods. However, there is a limited supply due to inadequate manufacturing and high input prices globally. Meaning world food prices are a third higher than this time last year. Due to port delays and closures associated with covid, shipping costs are generally 600% more than they were two years ago.


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Topics: Insider, Fertiliser Spreading, Tips, Hacks & How To's, Working Smarter, Soil Aeration & Drainage

Be Prepared This Winter

Posted by Casey-lee Cranston on Jul 1, 2022 10:13:35 AM

Let’s talk feed pad hygiene and management for cattle farmers including dairy. As well as topics such as effluent clearing and feeding supplements.

Feed pads are known to be used for a range of things and many more;

  • A place for the supplementary feeding of a dairy herd
  • Increasing the quantity or quality of milk produced
  • To prevent pasture and soil damage, increase pasture use, boost pasture regrowth, and improve animal wellbeing.

Do you know what makes a good feed pad?


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Topics: Insider, Silage & Winter Feed Handling, Working Safer, Tips, Hacks & How To's, Working Smarter

Prevent Rodent Damage To Your Machinery And Equipment

Posted by Casey-lee Cranston on May 9, 2022 9:58:28 AM

Are you constantly worried about Rodent Damage to your machinery or equipment? Or is this something you tend to forget about?

Machinery that is parked up in storage and farm buildings create a great new home for rodents. Particularly when temperature drops in Autumn. As machinery and equipment can be parked in storage for a long period of time rodents enjoy the shelter and food sources to nest (and are capable of a rapid increase in population), if not cleaned effectively. As part of rodents natural behaviour they try anything accessible including hydraulic hoses, cables, control panels and even cab fittings. And the problem only starts there. Not only can they damage your machinery which can be very costly, but also your crops as well with urine, droppings and are known to carry parasites. Which can lead into a number of diseases into your food.


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Topics: Insider, Working Safer, Pest & Disease Control, Tips, Hacks & How To's

The Best Farming Tips This Autumn

Posted by Casey-lee Cranston on Apr 20, 2022 9:31:50 AM

Have you ever thought about how excited cows get when Autumn hits?

They’re eager to get out of the heat (much like us). It starts to get cooler and the rain comes which means lots of green grass for the cows to enjoy. They get to relax as their milk starts to slow down ready for winter. The cows benefit from Autumn as this is a time where farmers spend less time milking and making the farm a comfortable place for cows to spend their days. By ensuring the paddock is well drained. 

Find out about how Rata can help https://bit.ly/3MkBW6H


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Topics: Fertiliser Spreading, Pest & Disease Control, Tips, Hacks & How To's, Working Smarter, Soil Aeration & Drainage