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Blown away by BFEA field day

VISITORS AT the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards’ 2012 supreme winner’s field day last month may well have felt somewhat ‘blown away’, in more ways than one.

IN THE year 2000, the 805ha (270ha effective) Whatawhata Hill Country Research Farm run by AgResearch was providing no more than 2% return on capital. There were significant erosion problems and its dense, 20km network of streams carried sediment, nitrogen and E.coli to the Waikato River. What remnants of native woodland remained had low biodiversity and bare ground underneath from animal access.

Calf blood test tip gets tick

A SUGGESTION in Rural News’ sister paper Dairy News that calf rearers should blood test to check colostrum intake has some merit, but needs refining, says specialist calf vet, Bas Schouten.

Stock movement monitoring call

RURAL NEWS’ article ‘Rangitata TB came from West Coast’ (October 22) reports TB Free’s statement that two recent outbreaks of TB in South Canterbury cattle were “a West Coast strain.”

Trusted tractor brand runs in family

ANDREW COOMBE grew up with Massey Ferguson on his family’s farm at Te Aroha. Now he and his wife Anita own two dairy farms in Otorohanga and three MF tractors.

Wider cut given

A REAR-MOUNTED mower uses a new middle attachment to cut even wider, says the New Zealand importer.

Food safety top priority for China’s largest dairy player

THE HEAD of China’s largest dairy company says Fonterra’s false botulism scare underscores the importance of food safety.

Arla’s cheese and butter marketing blitz

EUROPE’S SECOND largest dairy co-op Arla Foods is launching a marketing blitz to promote its butter and cheese in Australia and New Zealand.

TPP trade deal unlikely

FEDERATED FARMERS Dairy chairman Willie Leferink says he can understand Japanese dairy farmers’ opposition to free trade.

Direct line to top

FONTERRA STAFF unhappy with food and safety standards in the supply chain can now take their concerns directly to the top – without the fear of being victimised.