Wool’s smell may combat flystrike
An Australian research project has identified compounds in Merino sheep wool that are attractive to blowflies.
Recent
Hilux upgrade scores well
In its first test in 2015 the eighth generation Toyota Hilux gained a 5-star ANCAP rating.
Holden ups the ante with latest Colarado ute
The latest Holden Colorado Z71 comes pretty close to perfection.
Swine fever a big threat to NZ pig industry
If African swine fever (ASF) hits New Zealand it will “absolutely and totally” obliterate our pork industry, says Freedom Farms…
Small things make a big difference
Lamb daily growth rates on sheep farms in New Zealand are in a huge range — from as low as…
National
Emissions profile for every farm
All Fonterra farms will get a unique report about their biological emissions within 15 months.
No plague with these locusts
An AgResearch survey which found most New Zealanders would try eating insects does not surprise the country’s first locust farmer.
Woke crowd a challenge for meat
Meat consumption has dropped 20% in continental Europe and the UK in the last two-three months and it’s not all…
Bad winter grazing does do harm
Winter grazing of forage crops is very harmful to the environment, says an AgResearch scientist, Professor Richard McDowell.
Win-win for West Coast
Former Westland Milk chairman Pete Morrison says Yili’s new ownership represents a significant milestone for the former co-op and the…
World
Fonterra’s Aussie struggles
Fonterra has told its Australian farmer suppliers that it remains committed to that market.
No luck for Irish contractors
Ireland, often a source of skilled farm machinery operators for rural contractors in New Zealand, is facing even worse driver shortages than NZ.
Fines for farm invaders
Animal rights activists entering Queensland farms without permission now face being fined.
Australia’s last dairy co-op popular
Australia's last surviving iconic dairy cooperative, Norco, says it’s getting enquiries daily from farmers wanting to supply it milk.
Where to for the UK?
“On a knife-edge,” is how NZ’s former high commissioner to London, Sir Lockwood Smith, describes the British government’s EU exit plans.
Opinion
NZ’s agriculture GHG policy working against us
OPINION: New Zealand's Action on Agricultural emissions places us all in a very uncomfortable situation.
Don’t mention the ‘B’ word!
OPINION: You'd be forgiven if your eyes were starting to glaze over reading yet another Brexit headline, but we seem…
Sellouts? — Editorial
OPINION: Despite the much hyped claim by certain prophets about the ‘historic’ agreement between the farming sector and the Government…
We’re on board, but don’t kill the cash cow
Dairy farmers in New Zealand are world leading producers of low emissions milk, writes Tim Mackle, chief executive of DairyNZ.
Change tune — Editorial
OPINION: New Zealand's farming sector is often targeted by any number of different pressure groups wanting to blame it for…
Agribusiness
Pay people better – O’Connor
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has urged growers to pay people better.
More trade is best way to sustainably feed humanity – expert
Globalisation is the only way to feed 9.6 billion people by 2050 with a healthy diet on a healthy planet,…
Hemp sector gears up for growth
The New Zealand hemp industry appears to be coming of age.
Orchard prices strengthen
Demand will rise for existing kiwifruit orchards as a result of Zespri granting its annual quota of new licences for…
Tags help keep track of NZ velvet
A new system is being developed for tracing tagged velvet as it moves through the supply chain.
Management
A valuable, but poorly used resource
Bert Quin, managing director of Quin Environmentals, explains the benefits of chicken manure.
Ideas and expertise freely shared
Ideas are explored and expert resources shared freely at Red Meat Profit Partnership meetings.
Freedom farming more than words
Credibility and consumer appeal can depend on how you translate the five major points of animal welfare into action on farm, says Freedom Farms general manager Hilary Pearson.
Triplet system a success on farm and at bank
The Dawkins family are Beef + Lamb New Zealand Innovation farmers working to maximise triplet lamb survival via an indoor lambing system now in its third year.
Regenerative system spins farmer’s wheels
Leeston cropping farmer Simon Osborne likes to point out that all life is a symbiosis.
Farm Health
Wool’s smell may combat flystrike
An Australian research project has identified compounds in Merino sheep wool that are attractive to blowflies.
Swine fever a big threat to NZ pig industry
If African swine fever (ASF) hits New Zealand it will “absolutely and totally” obliterate our pork industry, says Freedom Farms…
Small things make a big difference
Lamb daily growth rates on sheep farms in New Zealand are in a huge range — from as low as…
Nitrate poisoning
Nitrate poisoning usually occurs in late autumn or winter when nitrate levels in the feed are high, particularly during a…
Questions over M. bovis communication
Rural contractors have challenged MPI and Federated Farmers over the management of Mycoplasma bovis.
Machinery & Products
JD updates 6R Series
John Deere's updated line-up of 6R Series tractors (110-250hp) includes the 6110R, 6120R, 6130R, 6145R, 6155R, 6175R, 6195R, 6215R, 6230R…
New baler/wrapper launched
Two new machines from John Deere increase their offering in the grass harvesting sector.
Kubota gets closer to the big league
Kubota is busy shedding its image of being only a maker of compact or municipal tractors.
Battery-powered tractors still a way off
The likelihood of electric or hybrid powered farm tractors still appears a long way off.
Motoring
Yank tank makes it hard to go back
Once you go large it’s hard to go back to regular, goes the old saying.
Colorado concept huge at Fieldays and beyond
With saloon cars fading on buyers’ radar, Holden is confirming its focus on the ute and SUV market.
Big show for Toyota at Fieldays
Toyota's massive site in the automotive precinct at Fieldays will showcase its extensive range of SUVs.
Concept ROX for Fieldays
Holden New Zealand has revealed its own home-grown concept to go on display at Fieldays – the Colorado ROX.
Puts up and impresses
Mahindra, seeking to reintroduce its products to Kiwis, recently took motoring journalists on a day-long drive from Auckland to Rotorua,…
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The Hound
No idea!
This old mutt was flabbergasted at the reaction by some mainstream (lamestream) media to the news that Todd Muller would…
Good point
A mate of the Hound’s, recently back home in Wakefield, Nelson following a month in Christchurch for medical treatment, reckons…
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Popular Reads
Fonterra bombshell: $675m loss looms, no dividend
Fonterra is signalling a full-year loss of up to $675 million for 2018-19.
Aussie farmers desert Fonterra
Fonterra is facing a backlash from Australian farmer suppliers worried that the co-op could pull out of the extremely challenging…
Winter grazing: moving away from muddy cows
DairyNZ Director Ben Allomes says farmers need to change with the times and adopt practices that are good for their…
Rural Life
New machinery for the vineyard
Mark Daniel on what's new in machinery for the vineyard.
New Holland launches Braud 9000 series grape harvesters
New Holland Agriculture has introduced the new Braud 9000 series to its portfolio of self-propelled grape harvesters, with the 9090L…
Collaboration increases capability
Initially designed to assist fertiliser spreading trucks operating on steep New Zealand hill country, TracMap’s GPS guidance and job management…