Waikato farm a role model for riparian planting
A Waikato dairy farm which began its first riparian planting project 20 years ago now stands as an exemplar for rural land users, backed by science and clever long-term planning.
A new dairy goat research facility in Waikato is expected to help lift the country’s milk supply.
Run by AgResearch, the new facility at Ruakura, Hamilton, can run 48 goats and will be used for trials including bedding preferences for kids, forage preferences and environment enrichment.
AgResearch partnership and portfolios director Dr Greg Murison says the dairy goat industry is a great example of science making a difference throughout the value chain from on-farm to off-farm, supporting Dairy Goat Cooperative (DGC) in establishing and growing its business.
“DGC has an excellent track record of developing and marketing high quality exports based on strong R&D,” he says.
AgResearch has three programmes of dairy goat research underway, two funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and the third by the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Sustainable Farming Fund, with cash and in-kind co-funding from DGC.
The latest project is to grow the supply of dairy goat milk via improved forage supply and superior animal welfare practices.
The first trial in the new facility looks at bedding preferences, to determine what surfaces goats favour.
DGC chairman Campbell Storey says the AgResearch work is crucial to the industry’s growth.
“There has been an industry shift to farming goats mainly indoors. There is a greater focus on animal welfare, milk quality and on producing milk... with the correct profile to produce what we believe is the best dairy goat infant formula in the world.”
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
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