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Better care a key to ram survival

Improving basic animal husbandry and health care in rams would likely increase longevity regardless of breed or strain of breed, a study found.

Weaning early benefits for both ewes and lambs

Researchers (left to right) PhD student Jay Ekanayake, Dr Lydia-Cranston and Dr Rene Corner Thomas.

New research from Massey University suggests that lambs can be successfully weaned lighter and earlier, with benefits for the mother as well.

Let’s do things differently

Professor Jon Hickford, from Lincoln University’s faculty of agriculture and life sciences, gives his view on where the new government should focus in its primary sector policy.

Lucerne advocate proves a point

Interest in lucerne – particularly in summer dry areas – is growing.

Long-time lucerne expert and advocate Professor Derrick Moot of Lincoln University says he’s now getting interest in his work from around the world.

Time for a culture change

During the past seven years 36 people were killed in quad bike accidents.

It makes grim reading to see that agricultural deaths have numbered 124 over the last seven years – about four times higher than in construction or forestry.

Change of tune?

In a case of poacher turned gamekeeper, the Hound notes that dairy farming critic Alison Dewes has been appointed Landcorp’s new head of environment.

Glammies dead

Your old mate hears there has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth over Beef + Lamb NZ’s decision to pull the plug on the Golden Lamb Awards, better known as the Glammies.

Change the record

This old mutt is getting a little bored with the claim by the newly minted Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor -- that farmers “always do better” under Labour governments.

The Hound was contacted by a farmer concerned at the complete silence of supposed rural and farming advocates NZ First – especially list MP Mark Patterson – over the recent sale of the iconic NZ company Icebreaker to US interests.