Four-Year Trial Confirms Plantain Cuts N Losses 33%
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
» Featured
Fonterra Opens Upgraded Chengdu Application Centre
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Ravensdown Pays First Rebate in Three Years on $50m Profit
When it comes to annual rebates, it's been a long time between drinks for Ravensdown shareholders.
Massey Launches Ag and Hort Courses for Teachers
Special courses for secondary school teachers to help excite kids about agriculture and horticulture are now being run at Massey University.
New Dairy Holdings CEO Backs Self-Contained Model
Running a tight and self-contained ship is the key to the success of the country's largest dairy farmer, says Blair Robinson, the new man at the helm of Dairy Holdings.
Federated Farmers President Colin Hurst Adds Dairy Farm
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
National
Stephen Allen to Step Down as Tatua Chair After 23 Years
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Tatua Chair Stephen Allen Retires After 30 Years of Service
Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company has confirmed that chair and director Stephen Allen will retire at the co-operative's annual general meeting (AGM) on 3 December 2026, ending 30 years of service, including more than 20 years as Chair.
Farmers Miss Out on Fuel Excise Refunds, Says Farm Focus
Too many farmers put reclaiming excise duty on petrol into the "too-hard" basket, says farm accounting software provider, Farm Focus.
PCE: Treat Environmental Data as Critical Infrastructure
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, wants environmental information to be treated as critical national infrastructure.
World
Dawn Meats acquires German distributor Alexander Eyckeler GmbH
Irish meat processor Dawn Meats has acquired Alexander Eyckeler GmbH, a long-standing German customer and partner of Alliance Group, for…
Fertiliser Prices Surge as FAO Flags Global Food Security Risks
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has issued a stark warning about the global implications of…Arla Foods delivers $15b revenue as Co-op turns 25
European dairy giant Arla Foods celebrated its 25th anniversary as a cross-border, farmer-owned co-operative with a solid half-year result.Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accord
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows…NZ–Canada dairy trade dispute resolved
The long running trade dispute between NZ and Canada appears to be over.Opinion
Farm Worker Appreciation Day: Thanking NZ's Dairy Teams
OPINION: Today marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day – a day we’re proud to recognise here in New Zealand.
Why NZ's Transport Network Is Key to Food and Fibre Exports
OPINION: As a country that prides itself on being a trading nation, New Zealand's transport infrastructure has a critical role…Time for Reality, Not Fantasy Scenarios
OPINION: Back in April, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered an update that should have triggered an 8.5 magnitude…One and One Don't Make Three
OPINION: Since when did one and one make three? Who didn't smell an elephant-sized rat when our leaders decided to…Editorial: RSE Review - A Timely Move
OPINION: A simpler, clearer, more effective Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.Agribusiness
Farm2Future Camp Opens Students' Eyes to Agribusiness Careers
Twenty five secondary school students from around New Zealand recently completed a three day residential programme designed to explore career…
Halter Names Six Winners in Biggest One Year Free Yet
Halter has announced the six winners of its 2026 One Year Free competition, marking the biggest year yet for the…UK Politician Alistair Carmichael Praises "Positive Spirit" of NZ Farmers
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during…Andy Macfarlane Joins AgriZeroNZ Board
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development…The Banker Who Still Farms: Cameron Reed's Two Worlds
Cameron Reed lives between two worlds.Management
Calf Shed Design: What Farmers Need to Get Right
Clean and comfortable calf sheds help create a nurturing environment for calves, reduces the risk of disease and encourages high growth rates.
Sharemilkers Credit DairyBase Tool for Staffing Decisions
Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.
Campaign Urges Growers to Plan Ahead on Resistance
Growers and farmers are being encouraged to have an important conversation before the coming season starts: how to prolong the effectiveness of the crop protection tools they rely on.
Ballance Launches AI Assistant for Fertiliser Ordering
A new digital assistant is now helping Ballance Agri-Nutrients farmers speed up nutrient information and ordering.
Aimer Farming Launches Satellite Pasture Monitoring Tool
Farmers can now get a more reliable view of pasture covers across their farm, thanks to a combination of three data sources.
Farm Health
The Intricacies of Livestock Breeding
I've written a series of articles for Rural News, starting with 'The Basics of Grazing', then 'Stock Handling', followed up by 'Evaluating Stock Condition'.
Calf Rearing Facilities: Housing, Spacing & Hygiene Guide
Rearing facilities should be set up and maintained well to ensure calves stay healthy.
Three Pillars of BVD Control
Solid biosecurity practices, regular monitoring and timely vaccination are the three key pillars of effective Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) control on New Zealand farms. Zoetis veterinary technical advisor, Karley DeFrees, explains BVD is a costly but preventative disease that impacts a significant number of dairy farms in New Zealand. Implementation of a BVD control plan can help protect your herd from this avoidable disease.
New App StockScore Digitises Livestock Condition Scoring
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Clostridial Disease in Lambs: NZ Vaccination Guide
Although preventable, lamb loss from clostridial diseases during the first year of life on New Zealand hill country farms continues to be an issue. A field trial, where lambs were vaccinated at docking and weaning, demonstrated that vaccination was highly effective, lowering clostridial deaths by 23%. Zoetis veterinarian Dr Victoria Chapman unpacks the importance of robust animal health programmes, vaccination timing and the potential harmful consequences for stock when vaccination isn't given.
Machinery & Products
Power Farming Launches Southland Joint Venture
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Pöttinger Harvest Assist App Gets Major Update
In an era where data offers key information for effective farm management, Pottinger’s Harvest Assist App is a valuable tool for punctual, successful grassland management to support farm operations during harvesting and beyond.
Zetor to Move Tractor Production to India and China
In a move that will ask the question about the viability of manufacturing tractors in high-cost economies, Czechia-based manufacturer Zetor is to stop making tractors at its Brno factory and relocate production to India and China.
Tabula Launches End-to-End Contractor Platform
As agricultural contractors continue to address soaring costs and a challenging labour market, attention to detail remains paramount, with any errors directly affecting gross margins.
NZ Tractor Sales Up 10.7% in First Half of 2026: TAMA
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
Motoring
Subaru New Zealand Unveils All-Electric Trailseeker SUV Ahead of September 2026 Launch
Subaru New Zealand has announced the all-new, all-electric Trailseeker will join its SUV line-up in September 2026.
Toyota Hilux Celebrates 50 Years in New Zealand with New BEV Model
Since arriving on New Zealand’s shores in 1976, the Hilux has been seen of farms, building sites and back roads,…Kia Tasman ute launches in NZ
Stepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just…Ford's new addition
Ford New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…Jimny goes 5-door
Fifty years ago, Suzuki was a pioneer in developing a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fourwheel drive capability and…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
'LinkedIn Greens'
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
UK Warning
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
Milking It
Floating Farm Sinks
OPINION: The world's first floating dairy farm, once hailed as a vision of farming's future, is up for sale after…
Make It Up!
PM Chris Luxon can't seem to buy a trick when it comes to the polls, particularly for his own approval…
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Popular Reads
How a Scholarship Helped Build a 1400-Cow Taranaki Farm
On a farm in Tikorangi, North Taranaki, Brent Stevenson is sharemilking 1,400 cows.
NZ Confirmed as World's Largest Single-Country Dairy Exporter in 2026 Report
A team effort that is paying dividends for the wider New Zealand economy.
South Waikato Farmer Cuts Nitrogen With Soil Biology Trial
South Waikato farmer Bas Nelis is always interested in fine-tuning his business to improve results.
