Floating Farm Sinks
OPINION: The world's first floating dairy farm, once hailed as a vision of farming's future, is up for sale after seven years.
OPINION: At a time when some people are working to narrow the rural-urban divide, one Canterbury school is closing its farm.
Rangiora High School is exploring opportunities to make its farm relevant in the 21st century, according to its board of trustees. The board is excited about moving away from "a more traditional farm to an outdoor lab or outdoor classroom".
A review of the farm's future means the future of animals at the school was under consideration. Options included moving from rearing lambs to fattening stock, or moving away from animals altogether.
The world is shifting to be more sustainable and shifting away from meat, so we need to prepare our students, says the school. Really? One would have thought that with 80% of students from urban areas, the farm would be an opportunity for the school to narrow the rural-urban divide and show what sustainable farming in NZ really is.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
When it comes to annual rebates, it's been a long time between drinks for Ravensdown shareholders.
Special courses for secondary school teachers to help excite kids about agriculture and horticulture are now being run at Massey University.
OPINION: The world's first floating dairy farm, once hailed as a vision of farming's future, is up for sale after…
PM Chris Luxon can't seem to buy a trick when it comes to the polls, particularly for his own approval…