Small rise in payout on the cards
Economists are optimistic of a small rise in this season’s farmgate milk price.
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Controversial co-op payment policy scrapped
Fonterra is introducing a new standard payment term for small businesses which will affect 83% of its suppliers, the cooperative says.
NZ farmers world leaders in water, soil management
New Zealand dairy farmers could lead the global move to new production systems that deliver twice the food from half the water and soil, according to Australian science author Julian Cribb.
Better AB facilities raise mating results
One of the most unpredictable places to be in a dairy shed is arguably the back end of a cow.
M. bovis source probe ongoing
All possible pathways remain open in the hunt for the source of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, says MPI’s director of response, Geoff Gwyn.
Feds question local government’s role
Federated Farmers previous president, William Rolleston, was very supportive of GE and there was a perception that Feds was leading the charge in support of the science — but this could now cost them.
National
Fonterra eyes dairy beverages
Rising global demand for dairy and fruit beverages has prompted Fonterra to team up with a Hawke’s Bay company to make new products.
NZ’s apple reputation on the line
Maintaining New Zealand’s reputation for best quality will be tougher with a worker shortage, says Horticulture NZ president Julian Raine.
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.
Interim Climate Change Committee announced
Minister for Climate Change James Shaw has announced the membership of the Interim Climate Change Committee.
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
Loader wagons raise the bar
Austrian manufacturer Pottinger has added two models to its Torro Combiline series of loader wagons – the 7010 and the 8010.
Finger on the pulse of Powdery Mildew
The words “powdery mildew” are enough to send fear through any grape grower. It is the stuff of sleepless nights and money down the drain. But it doesn’t have to be!
190 and counting
The acclaimed machinery maker Kuhn, known especially for its cultivation and grassland gear, is celebrating 190 years since Joseph Kuhn opened a forge in Alsace, France in 1828.
More reversible ploughs in green, orange
Amazone has extended its range of Cayros reversible ploughs with new models and equipment options across its range.
Motoring
Winds of change blow at Hyundai
It doesn't seem too long since Hyundai was the new kid on the block, but the last decade has seen…
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…
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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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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
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Rural Life
Ozone in the vineyard
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Drones versus birds
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Boss woman has earned her stripes
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