Recent
Sixth straight rise in GDT price index
The Global Dairy Trade price index was up marginally in the auction overnight with a gain of 0.9%.
Farmers overpay rather than get it wrong
Some dairy farmers are overpaying staff because they fear being non-compliant, says Dairy Womens' Network chief executive Jules Benton.
M. bovis levy to hit dairy farmers
Dairy farmers are being asked to approve a levy of up to 3.9 cents/kgMS over the next two seasons to…
Westland backs phasing open entry provision in DIRA
West Coast milk processor Westland Milk is supporting an end to open entry provisions the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA).
National
Lifeline for agri training school
Balclutha's troubled Telford agricultural training institution has been thrown a one-year lifeline by the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), Invercargill.
Using fert wisely
OPINION: We all know that overuse of fertiliser harms the environment, but that shouldn’t mean fertiliser becomes a dirty word.
Cow collar firm on the move
Kiwi agritech start-up Halter, in Auckland, expects to commercially launch its GPS-enabled cow collars in April.
Opportunities in fast changing agri-food
Changes driven by computer scientists in the agri-food sector are creating new opportunities for New Zealand farmers.
Shoppers strip Oz shelves of NZ formula, send to China
New Zealand brands are at the centre of infant formula shortages in Australia supermarkets.
World
Oz farmers plead to end sale of $1/L fresh milk
Australian dairy farmers are pleading for supermarket chains Coles and Aldi to join Woolworths in ending the sale of fresh milk for just $1/litre.
Ireland assembles its agrifood units
With the UK’s Brexit scheduled for April 1, 2019, discussions in Ireland are centred on tariffs, with a general call for a ‘soft’ Brexit that would allow present cross-border agreements to apply in the foreseeable future.
Mandatory code for Oz processors
Milk processors in Australia, including Fonterra, could soon be slapped with a mandatory code of practice.
Oz processor tipped to be broken up
A large Australian dairy processor may soon be broken up and sold.
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.
Opinion
May the good times continue — Editorial
OPINION: Volatility? What volatility? Farmers are asking as global dairy prices rose for the fifth consecutive Global Dairy Trade (GDT)…
Lessons well learned from Mycoplasma bovis
Federated Farmers last month issued an advisory on Mycloplasma bovis to all members. Here are excerpts:
How to feed those extra mouths around the world
New Zealand, a country of 4.7 million, produces enough food for 50 million people. But with 9 billion mouths to…
Time to let Tip Top go? — Editorial
OPINON: Fonterra doesn't have the capital to take Tip Top to its next phase, so selling it now may be…
Credit where it’s due for Fonterra — Editorial
Fonterra, take a bow.
Agribusiness
Hotspots increase, soil moisture dips
Soil moisture is now decreasing nationwide but Fonterra’s latest Global Dairy Update shows milk collection was up 4% to December…
Day out connects teachers with agri
Shaun Murray is at the coalface of New Zealand’s $1 billion export infant formula industry.
Owl Farm flying high
Owl Farm uses proven research and good practice and, importantly, encourages young people into the dairy industry.
Dairy Industry Awards entries thrill organisers
A total of 393 entries are in for the 2019 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
OZ/NZ share many common problems
New Zealand and Australia share many problems in common in their dairy industries, says Professor Yani Garcia from Sydney University.
Management
Reducing heat stress on cows
Dairy cows in all regions are affected by heat stress during summer. The comfort zone of a cow is 4-20°C,…
Cutting nutrient loss poses big challenge for farmers
A Hawkes Bay project aimed at cutting nitrogen losses has provided challenges and lessons for its farmers involved.
Plaintain research can save farmers
Plantain could ‘save’ some Manawatu dairy farmers faced with cutting nitrogen losses from pasture by 60%, comments DairyNZ.
Lightweight liners help milking, udder health
Manawatu farmer Kevin Buckman was experiencing ongoing cup slip issues before experimenting with lightweight milking liners in his three herringbone…
Reduce costs, lift yield with one simple change
One change to your dairy system can reduce costs, shorten milk-out time, prevent cup slip, lower somatic cell counts and…
Farm Health
Healthy livers, happy cows
Liver damage caused by Facial Eczema severely impacts animal welfare and productivity, yet many farmers are not sufficiently supplementing their…
Split calvers match feed supply, demand
The bonus of split calving is that you can match feed supply with feed demand throughout the year, says Neville…
Bull movements need close watch
If you're selling or leasing bulls this spring, understand the risks and know the animal’s history of movement and health.
Don’t treat pests as a problem
Farmers should stop treating agricultural pests as a problem, and instead realise they are a symptom of an unsustainable farming…
Time to put Johne’s on the map
Johne's disease (JD) is a major production-limiting disease of farmed ruminants worldwide and, after CAE, it is the biggest animal…
Machinery & Products
Contractor loves tempo planter
RK Flint Contracting, at Ngatea, Hauraki Plains, has been running a Vaderstad Tempo F8 precision planter since September.
X400 EPS LE: A reliable, basic farm quad
Manufacturers may spend lots of time and money promoting their ‘hero’ models, but many potential customers are just looking for…
A guide to the right tyre choice
Grassland, cultivation and seeding specialist Pottinger has updated its guide to tyre choice and use for agricultural implements, including its…
Revamped Jimny takes on UTVs
The UTV is a workhorse on many rural properties, but the asking prices — $15,000 to $30,000 — cause some…
Triple success for New Holland
New Holland Agriculture last month won three awards in the technical innovation contest at the 2018 EIMA International farm machinery…
Motoring
Hilux marks milestone with attitude injection
Toyota has restyled the 14 wide-bodied variants of its 21-model Hilux ute range, as the maker celebrates the iconic workhorse’s…
Tried and tested Triton
Performance, safety upgrades and a new look for the 2019 Mitsubishi Triton have the manufacturer suggesting it expects its sales…
Making a line for the Sportline
After test driving the Skoda Kodiaq Sportline, we think getting one may be a clever choice.
Golden eagle soars
The Jeep legend was born in WWII but it came of age in the 1970s with a Golden Eagle version…
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…
» Latest Print Issues Online
Milking It
Burp it up
So, cows are a major source of methane but how do you measure how much gas a cow burps?
Shocking
In Australia, animal activists are taking exception to electric shock collars for use on cattle, calling it the equivalent of…
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Popular Reads
Columnist facing calls to apologise to Wilson’s family
A New Zealand Herald columnist, who questioned the retirement of former Fonterra chairman John Wilson in July last year, is…
Wilson farewelled in Hamilton
Former Fonterra chairman John Wilson was farewelled in Hamilton today by family, co-op colleagues, farmers and friends.
Tariffs put squeeze on tomato exports
An increased focus on exports for New Zealand tomatoes could see the sector double its 2014 value by 2020.
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’.