Getting ready for maize planting
Follow these seven steps to ensure you plan for maize planting as well as you can.
Recent
Getting spring pasture covers right
Managing pasture surpluses or deficits in spring is the key to maintaining quality and persistence going into summer, says Ravensdown…
DairyNZ has selective memory — Fish & Game
Dairy isn’t the backbone of the economy; the environment is, says Fish & Game New Zealand (F&GNZ).
Environmentally friendly calves
Nitrogen leaching on many dairy farms is reducing as the farmers breed from LowN Sires bulls, says the marketer CRV…
Chinese demand lifts dairy prices
The rise in global dairy prices could be partially attributed to demand from China, says Westpac market strategist Imre Speizer.
National
First four candidates for Fonterra elections
Sitting Fonterra directors Donna Smit and Andy Macfarlane have been announced as two of the four independently assessed candidates for…
No quick change to farm systems
People don't appreciate how difficult it is to change farm systems quickly, says Pāmu chief executive Steven Carden.
Export potential for premium milk
Dairy has huge potential within the 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement, says Agriculture and Trade Minister Damien…
‘Trading Among Farmers is flawed’
Fonterra's Trading Among Farmers (TAF) was a flawed proposition from the outset, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
Be active, engaged
Farmers must stay active and engaged with the submission process, says Federated Farmers environment and water spokesman Chris Allen.
World
Payouts from cashflow, not balance sheet
Fonterra says its payouts to Australian farmers are being funded by its operations, not propped up from other places in the balance sheet.
Govt stalled on quad rollers
Australian farmers are urging the Federal Government to enforce the fitting of operator protection devices (OPDs) to all new quads within two years.
Youngsters the key to meet Oz farm labour needs
The Australian dairy industry will need 800 extra workers on farms by 2023.
Euro co-op’s profit jumps 19%
World-renowned dairy co-op FrieslandCampina has posted a half-year operating profit of $354 million.
More Euro cows enjoy sun, grass
More European dairy farmers are choosing to put their cows outdoors to graze.
Opinion
Backing farmers long term
OPINION: I'm extremely proud of the ongoing high performance of our primary sector, and to be part of a Government…
Little time for farmers — Editorial
OPINION: It's clear that the Ministry for Environment is underestimating the importance of properly consulting farmers on the Essential Freshwater…
Why are NZ cows giving out so much methane?
OPINION: Why are New Zealand cows emitting so much methane? The answer lies in the poor quality of pasture the…
Avoiding the path to insolvency — Editorial
OPINION: Is Fonterra sliding towards insolvency?
Farm levy/rebates way to go
An emissions trading scheme would not address the problem of agricultural emissions, said DairyNZ last week in its submission to…
Agribusiness
Evidence is key, say award winners
2019 Share Farmers of the Year Colin and Isabella Beazley, of Northland, say the benefits to their career and business…
Saving water at dry spots
At least 3.4 billion litres of water will be saved every year under new water targets Fonterra launched this month,…
Kiwis can thank dairy sector for $17.5b exports
The dairy sector will earn New Zealand about $17.5 billion in export revenue this year, and likely more next year,…
Boosting the revenue on a smaller farm
Lisa Groen is gradually taking over the reins of the family farm, near Te Aroha, Waikato, ten years on from…
Suppliers needed as milk demand surges
Maui Milk is seeking new suppliers of sheep milk located within two hours of Hamilton for a new supply agreement…
Management
Getting ready for maize planting
Follow these seven steps to ensure you plan for maize planting as well as you can.
Getting spring pasture covers right
Managing pasture surpluses or deficits in spring is the key to maintaining quality and persistence going into summer, says Ravensdown…
Environmentally friendly calves
Nitrogen leaching on many dairy farms is reducing as the farmers breed from LowN Sires bulls, says the marketer CRV…
Sustainable future prompts upgrade
Seek expert advice to understand how to meet new effluent management regulations in your region, advices Tainui Group Holdings (TGH)…
Irrigating farmers record better enviro audit grades
Irrigating farmers in the Amuri district in North Canterbury are continuing to record improved environmental performance.
Farm Health
Research ‘overdue but welcome’
The ‘Resilient Dairy’ research launched by LIC at National Fieldays in June is an “overdue but welcome initiative” because New…
Herd genetics not only about money
Selecting the right genetics is no longer only for improving the economic output of a herd, says CRV Ambreed sales…
Auto heat detection erases tail paint
Tail pant has been shelved by a King Country farm — the first in New Zealand to try DeLaval’s automated…
Treating clinical mastitis
Dr Sean Daly, vet and technical adviser at MSD Animal Health, explains best-practice guidelines for treating cows with clinical mastitis.
Selecting the right bull
Good bull management means running adequate numbers of bulls with the herd, reducing their stress, and handling bulls to minimise…
Machinery & Products
Subsoiler busts yield robbing compaction
Designed for deep vertical tillage, the Great Plains inline subsoiler shatters yield-robbing compaction layers.
Spring loaded fence component keeps cattle in their place
New SmartRigger fence components build on creativity that won its creator TC Fence Systems an Innovation Award at Fieldays 2018.
Wack Y post system is a very clever insulator
Four years after he quit farming, Tim Deans, an engineering-savvy guy, has emerged from his Rangiora workshop with a new…
Retro-fitted cup removers lift yield, save labour costs
At least 50% of milking plants in New Zealand do not have automatic cup removers, says Milktech NZ.
Arcing no problem on these fences
Fencing specialist Strainrite has expanded its range of electric fence energisers.
Motoring
Tourer – a practical family car
The new Holden Tourer may be just the ticket for Kiwi families wanting to go on adventures.
Pajero Sport refreshed for 2020
Mitsubishi has released details of its new Pajero Sport SUV scheduled to arrive here late in 2019.
It’s a family affair
How does the Aussie Holden SUV range handle the modern Kiwi family lifestyle? We found out...
Feisty Vitara right on the mark
Just why is the Suzuki Vitara so popular in New Zealand? Mark Daniel found out as he test drove the…
You can’t get better bang out of your buck
Always very capable, the Mitsubishi Triton has had a loyal following in New Zealand, even with its slightly off target…
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Milking It
If it clucks is it vegan?
Is food vegan simply because it doesn’t come from a cow? This question has puzzled one in five Britons.
Swinging out the lifeboats?
The Fonterra shareholders council announced last week that elections will take place in 10 of its 25 wards.
» eNewsletter
Popular Reads
Slow plane ride triggers Fonterra complaint
Fonterra's biggest shareholder, ex-director Colin Armer, says it’s unbelievable the co-op’s directors and management have lost so much money.
Farmers, activists told to tone things down
Southland farming leaders and environmental activists have called for a breather in their set-to over winter grazing practices.
Higher margin, more efficiency
The average Jersey herd will make 67 cents more this season than a Holstein Friesian herd, claims Jersey Advantage spokesman…
Rural Life
New machinery for the vineyard
Mark Daniel on what's new in machinery for the vineyard.
New Holland launches Braud 9000 series grape harvesters
New Holland Agriculture has introduced the new Braud 9000 series to its portfolio of self-propelled grape harvesters, with the 9090L…
Collaboration increases capability
Initially designed to assist fertiliser spreading trucks operating on steep New Zealand hill country, TracMap’s GPS guidance and job management…