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Kubota earnings boosted by farming, construction

Kubota’s farm machinery sales soared in the past year.

Japanese company Kubota Corporation has reported that a solid performance by its farm and construction machinery divisions in both domestic and export markets was largely responsible for the 18.5% increase in revenue last year to ¥2,196.8b (US$19b) during 2021.

Pasture mowing, topping, help lift bottom line

The Trimax Topper was developed on a Waikato dairy farm in 1993 and has become a mainstay for many operators.

Mowing or topping dairy grazing pastures can improve pasture quality and increase cows’ productivity by simplifying pasture management, speed up regrowth for a consistent supply, allow increased stocking rates and reduce the reliance on bought-in feeds.

Benchmark in teat spraying

GEA claims its new automatic teat spraying system helps reduce somatic cell count and improve teat condition.

Automatic teat spraying is no longer just about labour savings, says dairy automation company GEA.

Uni farms variable plan delivers mixed result

LUDF administrator Jeremy Savage and manager Peter Hancox speak at the farm's recent Autumn Focus Day.

The first full season of ten-in-seven variable milking on the Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) started well but the "then wheels fell off," the farm administrator, Jeremy Savage, revealed at the recent farm focus day.

Knowing your colostrum powder

Price is always a factor but remember that a product selected on price may not give a newborn calf the start it needs.

Providing a newbown calf with colostrum within 12 hours of birth is vital, we know that. And if maternal colostrum is unavailable or poor quality, a colostrum replacer can provide an essential alternative.

Smart ways to lower working hours

One of the main reasons for a shift to flexible milking is to reduce hours, make rosters more flexible and improve work.

With milkings typically taking around 17 to 24 hours a week per worker, many farmers have been focusing on milking smarter to reduce hours and creative ways to shorten the working week - like the 22% who report they are using flexible milking.

Grow another paddock

It is times like these that the extra stack of silage or the extra paddock of maize silage prove to be very valuable.

Farming is becoming increasingly complex. Until recentyl, farmers had relatively few issues to focus on: feeding cows, producing milk and hopefully making enough money to feed their family and pay off their mortgages.

An opportunity to connect!

2021 NZ Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year Christopher Vila says the industry has allowed migrants like him to start a career.

The 2021 NZ Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) Farm Manager of the Year Christopher Vila spoke at the 2022 awards night held recently in Christchurch. Here's his speech...

Editorial: A win for rural... just

OPINION: The last minute decision by Health Minister Andrew Little to give the rural community some status in the new health reforms bill - Pae Ora Healthy Futures, is a victory, but there never should have been a fight over this.