Farmers Urged to Graze Pastures Hard Before Sowing Subterranean Clover
Farmers wanting to establish subterranean clovers in their pastures this autumn are encouraged by Beef + Lamb NZ to graze pastures down to 700-1000 kg DM/ha prior to sowing.
A new dairy grazing site near Taupo will be focused on heifers, says the owner, Wairakei Pastoral Ltd.
Its 3500ha grazing site on Wairakei Estate will adopt best environmental practices, doing the 'right thing by the land', the firm says.
Kiwi Grazing operates three farms -- Tainui, Waimana and Tauhara – all new, on free-draining soils.
The preferred vet for the site is Tony Parsons, Taupo Vet Services, providing a "strong animal health focus". The company also has long standing relationships with other suppliers in the Taupo region.
It says it expects to record weight gains and animal health and will communicate these to its clients – including daily weight gains on each animal, Minda weights and regular reports.
Dairy heifer calf grazing is on offer December-April; dairy heifer yearlings are grazed after May.
Farmers need not worry about fertiliser supply this autumn but the prices they pay will depend on how the Middle East conflict plays out.
American butter undercutting New Zealand's own product on New Zealand supermarket shelves appears to be a case of markets working as they should, says Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
Tech savvy Huntly farmer Rhys Darby believes technology could help solve one of the dairy industry's pressing problems - how to attract more young people into farming.
Fonterra farmers will be smiling all the way to the bank next month.
Exporters of live animals by sea say the decision by the coalition Government to go back on its word to reinstate the live export trade is "mysterious and disappointing".
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has released its 2026 election manifesto, outlining priorities to support the sector’s growth, resilience, and contribution to New Zealand’s food security and export revenue.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.