Winter grazing reports encouraging - Morrell
DairyNZ says it is encouraged by reports of good winter grazing practices this year, with farmers nudging other farmers to deliver on good practice too.
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Cow manure to fire up the BBQ
A study between Fonterra, Beca, Firstgas Group and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has found using organic waste is a viable, untapped solution to provide an alternative to New Zealand's current residential gas supplies, with the potential to replace nearly 20% of the country's total gas usage by 2050.
Raw milk recalled
Raw unpasteurised drinking milk from Central Hawke's Bay producers Lindsay Farm is being recalled following the detection of Campylobacter.
Tanker drivers helping drive emissions down
One of the (positive) side-effects of Covid-19 is the improved air and water quality.
More assistance for drought and flood-affected rural communities
Farmers and growers affected by drought or floods in Marlborough, Tasman, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and the Chatham Islands will have access to Rural Assistance Payments (RAPs), Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni has announced.
Infant formula marketing ban extended
Restrictions on marketing infant formula in Australia have been extended for another three years.
National
West Coast resilience tested
DairyNZ head consulting officer in the South Island, Tony Finch, says his first priority has been to get an accurate assessment of the extent of the damage on farms affected by the floods.
Handing over the reins after 25 years of sharemilking
Otago Holstein Friesian breeder Tony Brock is somewhat of a rarity in dairy farming these days: he and wife Sarah have been 50:50 sharemilking on the same Kaitangata property for a quarter of a century.
Beaming with Beamer
It was all smiles earlier this year when LIC announced the latest bull to be added to its Hall of Fame at the co-operative's Newstead headquarters.
New red meat awards
A chance to celebrate all the good work being done in the red meat sector and tell this to the nation.
World
Arla builds training farm in Nigeria
European dairy co-operative Arla Foods is building a state-of-the-art commercial dairy farm in Northern Nigeria and use it as a…
Farmer confidence riding high in Oz
With farmer confidence and consumer optimism high, much of Australia’s dairy industry has been riding on a wave of positivity…Grass-fed dairy in demand
The global pandemic has boosted growth opportunities for grass-fed dairy products.Farmers to power own plant
European dairy co-operative Arla says renewable electricity produced by its farmer owners could soon be used to operate in milk…NZ and Ireland farming's GHG battle
A top climate change policy advisor to the Irish government says Ireland and New Zealand should become close allies to…Opinion
Soil carbon context important
OPINION: Soil carbon is important.
Is it history or whose story?
OPINION: They're about to start teaching New Zealand history in schools.Editorial: Message delivered!
OPINION: Despite clogging up traffic in towns and cities throughout NZ, the recent Groundswell NZ protest gained huge support from…Migration essential for the future
OPINION: The New Zealand dairy sector attracts the best and brightest from around the world; aspirational farmers that want to…Editorial: Let's get the real picture!
OPINION: Just as Southland farmers were receiving praise from local authorities on their improved winter grazing practices, new photos surfaced…Agribusiness
More farmer trainers needed!
There appears to be no shortage of school leavers wanting a career in the sheep beef and deer industry, but…
New scientific officer named
Ravensdown has appointed Dr Will Talbot to the newly created position of scientific officer, supporting the chief scientific officer Ants…Ballance appoints first associate director
Ashburton farmer Will Grayling has joined the Ballance Agri Nutrients board as its first associate director.Meridian signs up for three more years
Power company Meridian has renewed its sponsorship of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) for another three years.Farm environment awards secure new sponsor
Farmax, a subsidiary of state-owned AgResearch, is now a sponsor of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.Management
Robots to boost profitability
A new generation of milking robots is promising greater profitability for farmers.
Strong industry partnerships will protect farming's future
Strong industry partnerships will be cruical to protecting the future of New Zealand's primary industries as farming becomes increasingly data driven.
Don't take away farmers' rights
Significant Natural Areas (SNA) are becoming a very important topic for farmers who are finding that parts of their properties have been or will be designated as SNA’s due to a perceived high level of indigenous biodiversity and will be captured under the proposed National Policy Statement (NPS) for Indigenous Biodiversity.
Farmers urged to get on board
Former Ravensdown board member Scott Gower is calling for farmers to step up and participate on boards of their co-operatives.
Industry awards trainee category facing changes
Changes have been announced to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards programme.
Farm Health
Trials look at the rattling of fewer dags
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics' Low Input Sheep Progeny Trial is identifying the genetics that will futureproof this country's sheep industry. In part one of this two-part series, we take a look at how the trial is set up and the focus on dags.
The best of both worlds
When it comes to balance it doesn't get better than the production of Friesians paired with the efficiency of Jerseys.
Scientist noted for pioneering work in animal evaluation
LIC Science Leader Bevin Harris has been recognised for his pioneering work in animal evaluation.
Promising early results for facial eczema test
Early results from a pilot study investigating the potential for a laboratory test to determine facial eczema (FE) tolerance are positive, paving the way for more detailed investigation.
Prepare your team well for the upcoming calving season
Spend time with staff and set clear expectations for the upcoming calving season.
Machinery & Products
Keen on easy-to-use spaceship
Reporoa based Murdoch Agricultural Contracting, owned and operated by couple Harry Murdoch and Samantha Parker, started by targeting a niche.
Tractor and machinery sales on a roll, but challenges ahead
Machinery dealers around the country have reported a substantial increase in sales of both tractors and farm equipment compared with the same time last year.
Giving calves the best
Waikato farmer Ed Grayling milks 430 cows on mostly peat soil that is low on trace elements.
Feed system helping grow top heifers
Feeding livestock can bring with it several challenges including labour shortages, wasted feed, higher prices for smaller quantities, intake monitoring and dominant animals bullying more timid individuals.
Hard hat or hard head
A recently released coroner's report into the death of a South Canterbury farmworker in 2019 raised the question of the suitability of safety helmets currently being used on farms.
Motoring
New-look 'Step-Thru'
Remarkably there are still many of the venerable Honda step-throughs operating on rural properties throughout New Zealand.
Safari on a Trek to NZ
Exclusive to the New Zealand market and available in limited supply, the Suzuki Jimny Safari adds to an already versatile…A price saving proposition
A bit like Vegemite, the first impression raised when you encounter a Mahindra Pik Up is love or hate –…Updated Navara ute bolder and more refined
The most obvious change to the updated Nissan Navara is the bold, almost American, styling.Warlock offers a touch of magic
Having previously reviewed the RAM 1500 in 2020, we recently took the chance to get behind the wheel of the…» The RNG Weather Report
» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Real or reel?
OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons people should be very skeptical of video footage supplied to TV news by vested interests.
It's coming!
OPINION: This old mutt reckons the 'woke' epidemic - currently rife in left wing and government circles - is now…
Milking It
Cheesed off
OPINION: Fonterra's plan to trademark Maori words used for its Kapiti cheese range is cheesing off some in Maoridom.
Capital structure woes
OPINION: It seems Fonterra's revised preferred option for its new capital structure has fallen short of farmer expectations.
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Popular Reads
Another protest coming!
Another nationwide protest by farmers will be held on August 16 unless the Government listens to their concerns.
Fonterra develops plant-based packaging
From sugar cane in Brazil to a sustainable, plant-based, plastic milk container now on sale in NZ supermarkets.
Protests don't represent whole sector - McAnulty
In a series of tweets last night, Labour MP and Golden Shears board member Kieran McAnulty said today’s Groundswell NZ…