New pasture guide launched to support farmers in a changing climate
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
Megan Robertson, from a dairy farm at Hari Hari, Westland was a joint winner of the Rural News Group sponsored visual media prize at the annual Massey University agricultural awards dinner last week.
The other winner was Lachie Davidson who is currently studying in the US.
The award is for the best video or photograph that represents life as a Massey ag student. The picture in Megan Robertson’s entry was taken on the family farm. Lachie Davidson produced an excellent video.
Megan, now finishing her second year of studies for an agri commerce degree majoring in international business, says her experience of life on her parents’ dairy farm influenced her to study at Massey University.
“They talked about their finances and their experiences as farmers and that really struck an interest in me and made me pursue my degree in agri commerce — the business side of farming.
“In my major in international business I am looking at international trade and sales and that really makes me tick because it is such a big thing for NZ and there are so many opportunities.”
In the summer break she will work at Fonterra’s Longburn Farm Source store near Palmerston North.
Passion for cows
Bradford Smith, who was awarded the William Gerrish Memorial Award at the annual Massey University Ag Students Awards dinner, is passionate about the dairy industry and already has his career mapped out.
The award recognises outstanding performance in farm management.
At least 250 students, industry leaders and Massey staff attended the event which has been held for 25 years.
Smith was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mangatangi, north Waikato and attended Hauraki Plains College.
From a young age he took a keen interest in farming and working with animals, going out on the farm with his dad and grandad.
“This developed in me a keen interest in the numbers side of things and the breeding of cows. I particularly enjoy choosing which bulls went to which cows to improve their gene pool and overall productivity.
So it made sense for me to study at Massey University, taking a bachelor of agri commerce majoring in farm management to build on my underlying passion and practical background.”
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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