Recent
Price slump pressures $6.75 payout
The Global Dairy Trade had its eighth consecutive fall last week putting more downward pressure on Fonterra’s $6.75/kgMS milk price…
Evolving dairy industry now more professional
Overall the dairy industry is more professional and in a good space, but volatility will continue, says James Allen, retiring…
Rewards for best practice
Corporate farmer Trevor Hamilton is full of praise for the incentive scheme Te Ara Miraka run by the Taupo dairy…
Synlait’s final payout
Synlait's final average total milk price for FY18 has been announced as $6.78/kgMS.
National
Farmers unhappy — Coull
Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman Duncan Coull says farmers are unhappy with the co-op’s current performance.
Fonterra posts $196m loss
Fonterra has posted a $196 million loss for 2018, the first in the co-op’s 17-year history.
Fonterra CEO pay trending on social media
Fonterra’s disastrous financial result is trending on social media today, with former chief executive Theo Spierings' pay a focal point.
Farmers stay quiet on Fonterra
Farmers are keeping a low profile online following Fonterra’s shocking $196m loss.
Emissions report: keep it simple, say farmers
Give us a “simple one-on-one” guide to the issue of climate change, says Federated Farmers vice-president and climate change spokesman…
World
An A$9/kgMS forecast for Oz in 2030?
As you read this, the factors affecting the outlook for global commodity markets are finely balanced, with much swinging on the weather – so there’s nothing new.
Oz farmer forced to sell stock
With feed costs almost doubling, one drought-stricken Australian dairy farmer has been deciding to regularly sell livestock. He would like the government to provide rate relief for farmers affected by drought.
Britain could crash out of EU
There is now a 50:50 chance Britain will crash out of the European Union without any sort of deal concluded, says a recognised Irish commentator.
Oz farmers starting to pull the plug
Farmers in New South Wales are digging in to survive as the drought worsens.
Aussie farmers quietly confident
The new dairy season has just begun and there is already plenty to keep track of for Australian dairy farmers.
Opinion
Start with the board — Editorial
Why is Fonterra in a pickle? Is the death of democracy and a blob of arrogance in Fonterra to blame…
Are your cows lying down enough?
We all know how important it is to get eight hours sleep, and while cows have different sleep patterns from…
A jolly fine read — Editorial
No one could ever accuse the Productivity Commission of not being productive.
Years of doing better by the environment
This month, Fonterra marks the one-year anniversary of TIAKI – our sustainable dairying programme that helps farmers make their operations…
No excuse — Editorial
Farmers are unhappy and confused with the NAIT changes rushed through Parliament into law.
Agribusiness
Onfarm processing now a reality
A Dutch farm can now process and sell its own milk to consumers, thanks to a Lely Orbiter.
First woman head for NZ Young Farmers
Agribusiness leader Lynda Coppersmith has been appointed the first woman chief executive of NZ Young Farmers, from October 1.
Hitting the books helps farmer taste success
Dairy farming is a hands-on industry, but Frankie Stevens discovered that understanding the theory and business practices that underpin a…
Catchment-scale tool to clean waterways
A new service from Ravensdown will meet the stated need of farmers and other rural people for catchment-scale improvement of…
Upskilling helps tackle HR issues
The 2007 national Farm Manager of the Year award winner Emily Woolsey (32) and her husband Daniel, of Southland, had…
Management
Cow collars fit well in shed
A flexible, high-performance cow monitoring system was just what Alastair Robinson needed in his 70-bail rotary shed in Waikuku, North…
Are you ready to withstand a big dry?
European scientists are forecasting that the next four years could be unusually warm.
From riparian plants to pharmaceuticals
DairyNZ and NIWA are jointly looking for riparian plant options that not only benefit the environment, but lend themselves to…
First the fence, then the planting
Using the right plants and techniques will make the most of riparian planting and give you value for money by…
Liquid fert applied to leaves prevents leaching
Farmers’ interest in using liquid fertilisers instead of the more mainstream solid granules is hotting up, says John Barnes, general…
Farm Health
Decoding your milk urea
Several years back, milk processors provided new information on Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN). While some farmers understand the test, the…
New welfare rules: best to check
With new animal welfare regulations coming into effect on October 1, even if you already think you are doing the…
Trial will track calves’ growth
A trial is underway to measure the growth rates of Angus/Jersey beef calves from birth to finished product.
Helping to detect cows on heat
Gain insight into which cows should be cycling once mating starts with pre-mating heat detection.
Passed without proper scrutiny
National's agriculture spokesman, Nathan Guy, says while some of the NAIT changes were needed, their passing under urgency has prevented…
Machinery & Products
Is Zetor staging a comeback?
The Zetor tractor is not a common sight on New Zealand’s farms, but Dairy News suspects there may still be a few…
Cruiser offers an all-in package
The nebula blue ute parked on the drive looks the part, but is it up to the undertaking the rigours…
Lemken buys an eye to the future
The German cultivation and seeding specialist Lemken has bought the Dutch company Skeketee – part of its plan to promote…
Fencing keeps noses apart
The problem of Mycoplasma bovis points up the need for better farm biosecurity measures, helped admirably by Strainrite Fencing Systems’…
Multi-one for muli-taskers
Jacks Machinery of Whakatane, a retailer of tractors and machinery since 1970, is New Zealand distributor of an interesting range…
Motoring
Holden goes easy on fuel
Holden has released details of the first-ever diesel Commodore, launching it alongside the first diesel-powered version of the new medium-size…
Outback front in the wagon wars
It's not hard to believe that the Subaru Outback accounts for about 45% of all the Subarus sold in New…
The Mercedes-AMG G 63: Love it or hate it
Introducing the Mercedes-AMG G 63. Like Vegemite, you either love it or hate it.
Plug-and-play Kia
First came Kia Motors New Zealand’s launch of the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models in March, and now the…
Ranger soon on the prowl
Having dominated the ute market for the last three years, Ford NZ says it will launch its 2019 Ranger in…
» Latest Print Issues Online
Milking It
Clink clink
The sound of milk bottles is set to return to Marlborough.
‘We help farmers’
Fish & Game took umbrage at a Milking It story on farmer Dean Rabbidge and his tweet. It says contrary…
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Popular Reads
M. bovis hits beef feedlot
New Zealand's only large-scale beef feedlot has confirmed a Mycoplasma bovis infection.
Mycoplasma bovis farm faces court
The farm suspected of being the likely source of the country’s Mycoplasma bovis outbreak is facing charges related to the…
‘Lucky to have co-op’
Corporate farmer and former Fonterra director Mark Townshend is urging shareholders to support Fonterra and its new leadership.
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’.