Extension Design Project
The Challenge:
The uptake of knowledge and its application in sheep and beef farms is hugely variable There is a widening profit gap between top performers and the mid-tier. Widespread uptake of knowledge and the resulting changes on farm will lead to sector-wide improvements in productivity and profitability.
The Status Quo:
The red meat sector has invested heavily in farmer knowledge and practice change over the years with varying success. There is limited formal evaluation around why some ways of acquiring knowledge are more successful than others. This has meant that traditional ways to provide information are continuing to be used but with limited understanding as to whether farmers are actually benefiting at all.
Project Objective
The aim of this project was to enable the creation of a collaborative national extension system. This has happened – and RMPP Action Network is launched. Click here to find out more about RMPP Action Network.
Extension System Model
RMPP has done a lot of research with farmers and how best they take up knowledge and turn that into action on-farm. Out of this research the RMPP Extension System was created.
Watch the short video that explains the parts of the model.
Year One Pilot Farmer Results
The extension design project has involved over seventy farm businesses, currently participating in a three-year trial. These trials will test different extension approaches. The purpose of this is to work out the best way farmers learn and help give them the confidence to make better decisions in their farming businesses. You can read more here
Below is a PDF of a booklet which outlines what the pilot farmers achieved after their first year being involved in the programme. You can download it as a PDF or email us to request a copy in the post.
Year Two Pilot Farmer Results
Read about farmers involved in the RMPP Extension Design Project. This booklet provides a two year review and covers:
- Our farm objectives
- What we have achieved
- What benefits we found from being involved
- Future Plans
You can download it as a PDF or email us to request a copy in the post.
Learn more about our pilot farmers
Our Farmers - In the News
Alliance - Small changes pay on Southland farm
Alliance - Shifting lambing dates proves worthwhile
Silver Fern Farms - Growing great taste from pasture to plate
ANZCO - No bad part to first job
Alliance - Working with farmers a privilege
Greenlea - New data system makes life simple
Greenlea - The long trek home
Greenlea - Scheme spurs massive rethink
ANZCO - Sustainable improvements through RMPP (video)
ANZCO - Production and profit gains catalyst for joining RMPP
ANZCO - Family put cropping skills to good use
Silver Fern Farms - Reliable water supply worth the wait
Greenlea & Alliance - Meat companies work together to lift farmers
Greenlea -No excuses, just get in and get it done
Alliance - Young Southland sheep farmers produce faster growing lambs
Alliance - Gradual change boosts returns
Alliance - Young sheep farmers learn from the best
Our Farmers - Case Studies
Northland - Kim and Chris Leigh-Mackenzie
North Canterbury - Charlie and Katie Croft
Working more closely with Maori - Awhina Group
Kaipara - David and Janine Kidd
King Country- Leveson and Vicki Gower
Hawke's Bay - Willie and Fee Wilder
Wairarapa - James and Kate McKay
North Canterbury - Hodgen family
Mid Canterbury - McLauchlan family
East Otago - David and Sarah Smith See videos below
Southland - Matt and Natalie McRae
Southland - Chris and Andrea Bulleid
Southland - Nathan and Marilyn Parris
Couple impressed with RMPP Programme
"That was me. I always had a passion for it,'' Mr Smith said.
For the past 10 years, he and his wife, Sarah, have been farming Mt Watkins, a hill country property inland from Waikouaiti. Click here to read more
$100,000 in additional revenue generated through the programme
At first sceptics to the RMPP pilot farmer programme, the Hodgen family are now advocating as to why other farmers should look at coming on board the national rollout of the programme. Have a listen here to the Hodgen story as told by Dan Hodgen at the recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand FarmSmart day.
How you can get involved
RMPP Action Network is an opportunity for all commercial farmers contributing to the production of red meat to get involved. See the website here for more details.