Solar power and good staff topped the best on-farm investments named by the North-South farmer panel.

Maniototo sheep and beef farmer Emma Crutchley says hers was hands-down a K-Line conversion to centre pivot attached to solar and a battery.

“It’s reduced our pumping costs and increased our efficiency of use significantly,” she says.

She made the call heading into a season that could be dry under El Niño.

Feilding dairy and cropping farmer Tim Gorton has invested in two solar systems.

“That was a considerable investment, and should save us heaps,” he says.

His standout, though, was people.

“The best thing that we invested in last year was our staff.

“We found a really good contract milker, he’s starting a second season and he is just going from strength to strength.”

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.