Editorial: Support Dairy
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.
2024 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer of the Year award winners, Michael and Cheryl Shearer.
The major winners in the 2024 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer of the Year award, Michael and Cheryl Shearer were happy to complete the trifecta.
He was named 2014 Taranaki Farm Manager of the Year and in 2012 he placed third in the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competition after winning the West Coast Top of the South regional title.
Michael says he "really wanted to tick the box of winning all three categories".
"Success in the awards has definitely provided us with opportunities we otherwise would not have had.
"We also really enjoy the networking it provides, and it really does give you confidence both personally and in what you are doing on farm."
The Shearers cite their financial discipline and low-input, once-a-day system as their business' greatest strengths. They run a tight ship that is sustainable and profitable in all payouts and say the once-a-day system allows for time out of the shed and off the farm.
"It's important to be able to give your mind a rest from the farm as this helps to keep your head and thoughts clear and remind you what is really important."
The Shearers are 50/50 sharemilkers on Russell Andrews' 225ha Reefton farm milking 500 cows. They won $8,000 in prizes and four merit awards. Entries for the 2025 NZDIA are now open.
West Coast Top of the South Regional Manager Anna Derks says all entrants eligible to win a trip to the Bay of Plenty for the National Final Gala dinner in May 2025. For more information visit the NZDIA website.
Three men have been sentenced in District Courts after Ministry for Primary Industries prosecutions over animal welfare, food safety and cattle tracing offences.
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.
Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.