Rewarding farmers who embrace sustainability
Winners of DairyNZ’s Sustainability and Stewardship awards in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy.
DairyNZ developer Jane Kay says the term ‘mammary memory’ is being bandied around the industry, causing farmers to question their drying off decisions and continue milking when this might not be the best option.
“This statement is based on the premise that the cow’s mammary cells have a memory for low production and short lactation lengths. There is no truth behind this statement,” says Kay.
“Don’t worry about when the mammary cells go on holiday as most of them won’t be coming back.”
Kay says the cells in the mammary gland (or udder) are continuously changing.
“During the lactation, old, inactive cells die and new cells are formed. These two processes -- cell death and cell formation -- are constantly occurring and the rate at which they occur depends on factors such as stage of lactation and milking frequency.
“The balance between cell death and cell formation determines the number of cells in the udder and this affects milk production.”
After a pregnant dairy cow is dried off, the udder resets itself during the dry period. Old inactive cells continue to die and new cells form.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
New Zealand farmers are committed to making their businesses more resilient to climate change and are embracing innovation to help them do so.
Atiamuri farmers Paul and Lesley Grey never gave up their dream of owning their own farm – and in 2020, that dream came true.