Solving the genetic jigsaw
Researchers at Livestock Improvement Corp (LIC) are working with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to piece together a genetic jigsaw of 15 million pieces.
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Managing fodder beet health problems
Farm veterinarians are struggling with the emerging animal health effects of long-term fodder beet use on dairy farms, says DairyNZ senior scientist Dawn Dalley.
Family farm wins Auckland award
The Dill family of Kaipara Flats, north of Auckland, has won the 2018 Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
More than just dropping numbers
The number of animals we have in New Zealand and how we use our land is part of our greenhouse gas emissions profile and must be part of any policy discussions, explains Andy Reisinger.
Selecting genetics will improve beef herds
The first meat quality results from the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics (BLNZ Genetics) beef progeny test are showing that farmers can select genetics to markedly improve their beef herds, and better marbling than expected in some breeds.
The toast of the Coast
About 130 people turned out to a field day at a Hokitika dairy farm, a finalist in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.
National
Merino concerns
The sale of Icebreaker to a United States company could leave the New Zealand merino production industry with too many eggs in one basket.
Dedicated to breeding a good herd
Breeding a good herd of dairy cattle is a priority for Simon and Elle Clarke, who are on their fourth season on 307ha at Hora Hora, near Cambridge.
Good – could have done better at Owl Farm
It's been a challenging season down on the banks of the Waikato River for St Peters School’s Owl Farm.
The show will go on
The East Coast Farming Expo will continue as planned.
World
Oz dairy co-op Murray Goulburn sold
The growth of Australia’s dairy industry is now down to the two main players Fonterra and Saputo, says dairy analyst…
Oz processor attracts milk from rival
Listed Australian dairy processor Bega Cheese attracted an extra 100 million litres of milk during the second half of last…
Co-op’s hedge kept Canadians out
Canadian processor Saputo, on the verge of becoming Australia’s largest dairy player, looked at investing in New Zealand 16 years…
Sourcing better deals in Oz
Fonterra says its launch of Farm Source in Australia is another way of growing its partnership with farmer suppliers.
What is volatility?
Dairy Australia senior industry analyst John Droppert chaired a panel discussion on volatility in the dairy industry. Here are excerpts:
Opinion
Producing less that is worth more
New Zealand agriculture is facing interesting times and we need to be ambitious if we’re to win. The model that…
Water essential for sustainable growth
Water storage and irrigation are key for sustainable growth, explains Mike Chapman, chief executive of Horticulture NZ.
Kiwi farmers’ food validity at stake
As we stare down the barrel of a global consumer revolution we need to be brave to tell them what…
A questioned posed
Terry Dunleavy poses a question for international drinks empire, Pernod Ricard: why are you using Australian grapes in Montana wine?
Getting staff for spring a head scratcher
Another Autumn season is fading away with all the challenges of maintaining good staff mostly behind us. Yet Rural Contractors…
Agribusiness
Natural health a winner for firm
The Hamilton dairy biotech company Quantec won the supreme award at the recent Natural Health Products NZ annual awards in…
Alternative proteins a potential bottom line booster
Guy Wrigley, Federated Farmers arable industry chairman, said the prospect of plant-based protein foods should not be cause for alarm.
Alternative proteins both an opportunity and a threat to NZ
A new survey of the threats posed by alternative proteins to New Zealand’s red meat farmers also shows a wealth…
Co-op’s butter award spreads a hat trick
It's official: Australia’s best butter is made at Fonterra’s Cobden site in Victoria.
Put heart into agribusiness
It's time to put some heart into the agricultural sector, says Maori leader and member of the NZ Business Hall of…
Management
Family farm wins Auckland award
The Dill family of Kaipara Flats, north of Auckland, has won the 2018 Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Selecting genetics will improve beef herds
The first meat quality results from the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics (BLNZ Genetics) beef progeny test are showing that farmers can select genetics to markedly improve their beef herds, and better marbling than expected in some breeds.
More than just dropping numbers
The number of animals we have in New Zealand and how we use our land is part of our greenhouse gas emissions profile and must be part of any policy discussions, explains Andy Reisinger.
Making PW more relevant
A lot has changed in farming over the last 22 years since LIC launched the production worth (PW) index in 1996, with breeding worth (BW) and lactation worth (LW).
PW evolution will make things simpler
Picking easy-care cows is about to get a whole lot easier with the first change to the calculation of production worth in 22 years.
Farm Health
Solving the genetic jigsaw
Researchers at Livestock Improvement Corp (LIC) are working with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to piece together a genetic jigsaw of 15 million pieces.
Managing fodder beet health problems
Farm veterinarians are struggling with the emerging animal health effects of long-term fodder beet use on dairy farms, says DairyNZ senior scientist Dawn Dalley.
Stock feed prices on the rise – get sorted early
Thirty years ago who would have predicted that one of the many spin-offs of ‘Globalisation’ was the evolution of the kiwi palate?
Phosphorus heads off fodder beet problems
After 16 years experience of feeding fodder beet to his dairy cows, Brendon Woods says he would hate to be without it.
Five liver fluke myths debunked
Liver fluke can cause major losses in production, often with few direct clinical signs evident, meaning that farmers don’t recognise the impact on their properties – particularly in bad fluke years.
Machinery & Products
Co-ops also present in German ag
The power of cooperative agriculture is proudly on display at a dairy farm near the German city of Dresden.
Plastic too good for steel
The ability of farmers to come up with practical solutions to onfarm problems never ceases to amaze. Some are extremely clever in their simplicity, e.g. the Three Rivers bale feeder.
HD5 is a big hit with heifers
Sometimes you hop into a vehicle and it feels just right; that’s the overriding impression when jumping aboard the Can Am Defender HD5 DPS, a farmer focused side by side (SSV).
Tough tub gets the job done
A bespoke Giltrap high capacity trailer was essential for the remodel of Mullerwhero Farming's 265ha, 830 cow farm near Otorohanga.
Pressure helps seeder to get the job done
Given the success of the previous model, the new Gaspardo Gigante Pressure no-till pneumatic seed drill should expand its presence in New Zealand farming.
Motoring
Graphite edition adds value
A limited-edition Holden Colorado — just 100 units nationwide — will become the prized possession of a select bunch of…
Navara a better load bearer
Nissan has enhanced the Navara’s performance under heavy loads by redeveloping the rear suspension and testing it in Australia, the…
Hilux toughens up its act
While the Toyota Hilux is the ‘go to’ for anyone looking for a no-nonsense ute, it’s probably been losing some…
‘RS’ might mean ‘really sharp’
Buying a house, horse or car is often about first impressions, so the first look at the Skoda Octavia RS…
Small SUV with huge potential
Following the meteoric rise in the SUV market over the last decade, Korean manufacturer Hyundai has launched a small SUV.
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The Hound
Waste of money
Your old mate is so excited (not!) to hear yet another committee has been formed to go with the 40…
No sh%t, Sherlock
A mate of yours truly says he was flabbergasted by the incoherent response of the body overseeing NAIT, following the…
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Popular Reads
Shearathon raises $44k for mental health
The Herlihy family’s 24-hour charity Shearathon, raising money for mental health and suicide prevention in the shearing industry, could become an…
22,000 infected cattle to be culled
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will begin a cull of 22,332 cattle on all properties infected with Mycoplasma bovis…
Purple feeder stands out, gets results
Livestock farmers’ quests for maximum animal production make it no surprise that an innovative feeder has won first prize in…
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’.