Sky lanterns turn UK farmers red
UK farmers want a ban on a popular Chinese festival where ‘sky lanterns’ are released.
» Featured
Feed trials contest use of imports
Research by the BNZ Northland Dairy Development Trust (NDDT) at the Northland Agricultural Research Farm (NARF) is of national significance, says project science manager Chris Boom.
New and old collide with winery
It is nearly 30 years since the first Jackson Estate wines were released onto the market.
China FTA talks set to resume
Tariff elimination on dairy into China is one issue New Zealand will be looking to progress in the Free Trade Agreement update with China, with negotiations starting in less than two weeks.
Ambitious dairy negotiators trying to open EU eyes
All options are still open on dairy trade and negotiators will be “ambitious”, says lead negotiator for the FTA with the European Union, Martin Harvey.
Infant formula leads the export charge
New Zealand exports of infant formula are expected to reach the billion dollar mark by 2021, the Ministry for Primary Industry says in its latest Situation and Outlook report.
National
Fat prices continue record run on GDT
Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins says the overnight dairy auction delivered good and bad news.
Brexit bumps
The outcome of the British election is not likely to have any major impact on New Zealand’s negotiations for a free trade agreement, says trade expert Stephen Jacobi.
Rural honours in abundance
This year's Queen’s Birthday Honours had 13 rural people making the list for their outstanding achievements and contributions.
New rules in danger of squeezing out valued workers
DairyNZ says proposed new rules on migrant workers will make it harder to employ and retain good staff.
World
Sky lanterns turn UK farmers red
UK farmers want a ban on a popular Chinese festival where ‘sky lanterns’ are released.
Fonterra’s Aussie opening milk price
Fonterra will pay its Australian suppliers an opening price of A$5.30/kgMS for the 2017-18 season.
Low opening the final straw for Oz farmer
Australian farmer Brian McLaren has been a loyal Murray Goulburn supplier for 48 years but the latest price blow could…
Co-op praised for ‘honest’ forecast
Australian dairy farmers have welcomed dairy co-op Murray Goulburn’s “honesty and transparency” in announcing its 2017-18 milk price.
Kerrygold’s record sales
Irish dairy co-op Ornua says revenue grew 9% last year.
Opinion
Smarter cashflows a key to growth
The Government's aim to double the value of agriculture exports by 2025 makes sense given their huge contribution to the…
Farmers join forces to improve water
Joint work by industry and the Government has been vital to agriculture making progress on environmental issues.
Walking the talk at Fieldays
Fieldays is once again living up to its reputation as an amazing meeting place for those in the agri sector…
Love is in the air at Fieldays
For many, the National Agricultural Fieldays is about the hard sell, the order book, the new lead, the prospect of…
Fake dairy products need policing
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can no longer ignore the growing demand that it enforces its own regulations…
Agribusiness
No complacency among the vines
Zespri's results are positive for everybody -- Gold, Green or organic growers and Zespri shareholders -- but you should never…
Wool event should be a fixture – RWNZ
Organisers of Rural Women New Zealand WoolOn Creative Fashion event want to grow the revamped historic show and use it…
New GDT platform for small dairy sales booming
A new Global Dairy Trade Marketplace platform launched a year ago has attracted registered sellers from Europe, USA, Asia and…
Dairy upturn buoys Fieldays
As the New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays gets underway this week the chief executive of the organisation running it says there…
A fresh take on farmers’ health
Rural health will be a new feature of this year’s Fieldays.
Management
Sprayer for all situations
The Hardi Ranger is a 2500L sprayer that suits row crop, cereals, pasture renovation and horticulture work.
Plenty of advantages to pregnancy scanning
About 70% of farmers pregnancy scan their ewes which should occur between a minimum of 45 days after ram removal from the ewe flock and no later than 100 days after ram introduction.
Most irrigation is on target – study
A summer-long on-farm study of irrigation efficiency in the Ashburton area will provide a benchmark for progress.
Has your dry-off raised mastitis risk at calving?
Most of the spring calving cows have now been dried-off and will be enjoying their ‘annual holiday’.
Plantain emerging from the shadows
Nitrogen entering the soil from the urine of cows is a big problem.
Farm Health
Breed for FE tolerance best answer
You can treat facial eczema (FE) in various ways, but the only preventive measure is to breed for FE tolerance.
Vet group buys stake in FarmIQ
Veterinary Enterprises Group (VEG) has bought a minority shareholding in FarmIQ Systems Ltd.
Public sentiment, trade access driving new disbudding regulations
Providing pain relief when disbudding calves is not mandated by regulation but it is coming, says DairyNZ animal husbandry specialist Bruce Eyers.
Live calf probiotic show
In a first for the Agricultural Fieldays, New Zealand company BioBrew is showcasing CalfBrew, a live animal probiotic.
How clean is your cow shed?
A critical way to reduce the spread of disease from one season to the next is by removing soiled bedding and thoroughly cleaning a calf shed.
Machinery & Products
Side-by-side to beat the band
Andrew Simpson, of CARNZ Training, is not your typical side-by-side (SxS) user.
Vat manager cools milk, holds it to temperature
The Tru-Test Vat Manager all-in-one vat monitor and controller is giving dairy farmers confidence that their milk is cooled and held to temperature.
DeLaval reveals Rotary E100
Milking machinery provider DeLaval has revealed its new rotary milking system designed for New Zealand farmers.
Side-by-side hits sweet spot
For years the quad market has been nibbled at by side-by-side (SxS) vehicles with their better carrying capacity and driver protection and, depending on options, shelter from the elements.
Weigh scales redesign lightens navigation
New on the Gallagher site at the National Fieldays will be its TW series of weigh scales and its insulated line posts.
Motoring
Drive this over the Jones
You'll stand out if you're prepared to hand over the moolah for the Jeep Brute Sport. It won’t so much…
New kid on the block
The new kid on the SUV block will have auto sales and marketing managers burning the midnight oil and scratching…
The best just got better
When we reviewed the VW Amorak in February 2016, it was fair to say we quite liked it. For 2017,…
A ute this ain’t!
The latest Land Cruiser 70 series from Toyota is a truck, so it won’t be the choice of Remuera Roamers,…
Lighter Commodore with more bling
You might have to wait a while to buy one, but Holden will premiere the new Commodore Sportwagon at the…
» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Asleep at the wheel?
The Hound hears that the jokes were on PM Bill English who was in fine form at the recent Ahuwhenua…
Go South
What is it with Massey University academics and their hatred of agriculture?
» Connect with Rural News
» eNewsletter
Popular Reads
Milk fat prices soar as love for butter spreads globally
Prices for milk fat are soaring and you can thank consumers worldwide for it.
New rules in danger of squeezing out valued workers
DairyNZ says proposed new rules on migrant workers will make it harder to employ and retain good staff.
Co-op praised for ‘honest’ forecast
Australian dairy farmers have welcomed dairy co-op Murray Goulburn’s “honesty and transparency” in announcing its 2017-18 milk price.
Markets
South Island wool sale eases
The 4700 bales on offer saw a 74% clearance with mixed results, however all prices paid locally are still above…
Wool continues to ease
The 7250 bales of North Island wool on offer saw a 72% clearance with most types easing further.
Rural Life
Ozone in the vineyard
The word ozone conjures up images of big holes in the atmosphere, stronger UV light, the risk of severe sunburn…
Drones versus birds
Drones may soon be joining the armoury of weapons used to scare birds away from ripening grapes after a trial…
Boss woman has earned her stripes
Nicky Hutchinson “never dreamed” of becoming ‘The Boss’.