Fresh start required on freshwater rules
OPINION: Concerns over the freshwater decisions taken by the Government in August have centred on slope rules for stock exclusion and winter grazing of crops.
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Rural health advocate recognised
South Canterbury-based nurse practitioner Tania Kemp has been recognised for her contribution to rural health in that region.
John Deere names new Aust/NZ head
John Deere Australia/New Zealand’s new managing director Luke Chandler says he will prioritise leading the way in technology and investing in strong relationships.
Trade deal delivers new 'rulebook'
A new trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), has been described as a new rule book for trade in the Asian region.
Biosecurity more important than ever
Biosecurity is even more important to New Zealand as the country starts to recover from Covid-19.
New Zealand red meat exports drop
The value of New Zealand red meat exports dropped 18% in October compared to the previous year.
National
Farm investment opportunity opens
Investors wanting a slice of farming action now have an opportunity to do so with the launch, last week, of the largest New Zealand IPO listing on the NZX Market.
Making the primary sector sexy
There is a need to re-orientate New Zealanders into working in the primary sector, according to the director general of the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Trophy win surprises jubilant team
The winners of this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy for Excellence in Horticulture believed they didn’t stand a chance and never expected to win because their fellow finalists had bigger operations.
World
Lifeline for field day organisers
Australia has introduced a support package for struggling field days organisations.
UN removes anti-meat tweet
The United Nations has removed a tweet following a global backlash from farmers.Bunnings banning Oz timber “pandering to extremist groups”
Bunnings’ decision to no longer sell timber from an Australian state-owned forestry agency that breached conservation laws is being criticised.New swine flu has ‘pandemic potential’
Scientists are calling for urgent action following the discovery of a new strain of swine flu.UK farmers use trackers to recover stolen machinery
An increase in the use of trackers is enabling UK police to recover 100s of 1000s of pounds worth of…Opinion
Fresh start required on freshwater rules
OPINION: Concerns over the freshwater decisions taken by the Government in August have centred on slope rules for stock exclusion…
Talk is cheap - Editorial
OPINION: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivered a ‘nice’ speech at last week’s Primary Industry Conference, organised and run by Federated…Strategies at play
Former Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman and Waipu farmer Simon Couper looks at the strategies of Fonterra's competitors to see how…The long shadow of M.bovis - Editorial
OPINION: More than three years on, Mycoplasma bovis continues to cast a shadow over some farms.Running on empty no good
OPINION: Fuelling things up is a constant part of our everyday lives on the farm.Agribusiness
China's largest rotary parlour
China's domestic milk production has received a boost with the installation of the country’s largest milking rotary parlour.
Alliance puts in good performance despite Covid-19
Meat co-op Alliance Group announced an underlying profit of $27.4 million for 2020. Adjusted for one-off events, the annual profit…US holds up NZ meat exports
New Zealand's red meat sector exports to the United States grew by 50% during the three months from July to…Carpet maker's blast from the past
Following its announcement earlier this year of quitting synthetics and only using 100% NZ wool, carpet manufacturer Cavalier Bremworth has…Investors shedding Fonterra units
Fonterra's unit trading scheme continued to bleed investors in the financial year ending July 2020.Management
Milking cows behind the barbed wire
A recent field day at the Waikeria Prison Farm near Te Awamutu offered farmers the chance to see what goes on “behind the wire”, alongside introducing the idea of farmers employing offenders near the end or after the term of their sentences.
Don't run out of water
Water is something we often take for granted but over recent years, through the droughts inflicted on us, I have seen many farms whose water systems have been lacking.
LIC invests in start-ups
Farmer cooperative LIC is investing in two agritech businesses working to deliver more value to New Zealand dairy farmers.
Wood chips to help solve nitrogen problem
Preventing nitrogen getting into waterways is high on the priority list for many farmers and growers.
Staying ahead of the game
High-performing farmers are front-footing challenges facing the sheep and beef sector and adapting their businesses, according to new research by the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP).
Farm Health
Liver function key to yield and health
Prior to the 1600’s the liver was considered to be the most important organ in the body, much more so than the heart and the brain.
Lowering empty rate with quality feed
On many farms the level of mating success achieved is very much based on the quality of the feed.
TB fight goes on
The total number of TB-infected herds in Hawke’s Bay has risen to 20, following the recent reclassification of a new herd in the Waitara Valley.
Getting to the bottom of ill thrift
Ill thrift is a term used to describe when stock grow at a slower growth rate than expected, given their feed allocation.
Car racing AI technician motors through her work
Dannevirke dairy farmer Tania Cresswell manages her parents’ 55ha dairy farm at Papatawa, milking 160 predominately Holstein Friesian cows.
Machinery & Products
Tractors of choice increase options
Canterbury-based Quigley Contracting’s tractors of choice are Fendt – preferred for their technology and versatility.
Flowtast glide bar delivers clean forage, protects soil
First seen as an option in its linkage mounted rotary swathers, Pottinger has now released the Flowtast glide bar as an option for its TOP 842 C centre-delivery rake.
Lely offerings for the future
Dutch robotic specialist Lely launched a new farm management application called Horizon at its recent Future Farm Days 2020.
Weeds in for a shock
WIith an increasing focus on reducing chemical herbicides, largely because of crop resistance and a potential build-up of residues, new methods of weed control are appearing.
Front hopper seed drill eases sowing pressure
Austrian tillage and seed drill manufacturer Pöttinger has expanded its range of Aerosem pneumatic seed drills, with the addition of 4 metre and 5 metre folding versions units with a front hopper.
Motoring
Hilux ups the ante - yet again
When the 8th generation Toyota Hilux arrived in late 2015, it was a major departure from the Hilux of old.
Mako goes after Raptor
With Ford holding the reins of the ute market since about 2014, it was always going to be a case…Like a red rag to a bull!
Mark Daniel reviews the new Jeep Gladiator truck.X marks the spot
While many car manufacturers set out to cater for all sectors of the market, it’s fair to say that Subaru…Gladiator set to commence battle
The new Jeep Gladiator is due to arrive on the NZ market in August.» The RNG Weather Report
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The Hound
Action, please!
The Hound notes that despite the new government having been elected for well over a month, there seems to a…
Educated?
Your canine crusader is intrigued to learn that the upper-class twats who attend Oxford University in the UK have voted…
Milking It
Avoiding listeria
OPINION: The company that makes dairy products under “The Collective” brand, and which copped a nearly $500,000 fine for failing…
Greenpeace seeing red
OPINION: Still with Greenpeace, the organisation’s push for a price on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions is gaining momentum since the…
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Popular Reads
A dangerous precedent
A proposal by the Timaru District Council (TDC) to extend setbacks in rural areas is raising eyebrows.
Fonterra pulls out of PKE import business
Fonterra is pulling out of another non-core business – importing palm kernel expeller.
Investors shedding Fonterra units
Fonterra's unit trading scheme continued to bleed investors in the financial year ending July 2020.