Large players struggling to adjust to challenges
Many very large food companies, particularly in the US, are struggling to adjust to the changing tastes of consumers, says…
Recent
Portable power on the farm
Erratic weather and seismic events, more frequent these days, are prompting many farmers to have standby generators on site.
Futuristic sprayer sets standard
Now part of the Kubota Corporation, machinery manufacturer Kverneland is on a roll, particularly with new products coming to market.
Crop planting and regrassing for all types of situations
Crop establishment, particularly various ways of doing it, was the focus of a recent field day near Taupo.
A little planning goes a long way
Farmers spend many hours planning their lives around the farming year, but often health and safety is left out.
National
Flood-affected farmers hold ground
Westland District mayor Bruce Smith isn’t buying suggestions that productive farmland at Franz Josef should be abandoned to the flood-prone…
NZ cashing in on boutique foods
New Zealand has been better than Australia at capitalising on the market for boutique foods, according to a top Australian…
Farmers want clarity – Guy
Farmers want policy certainty and are petrified about “kneejerk popular politics” similar to what the Government did with the oil…
Many heed call for banking reform
Support is growing from farmers all around New Zealand for a petition currently before Parliament for a select committee inquiry…
Farmers learning from farmers
Extension 350 will make a significant difference to the Northland economy over time, says chairman and Northland farmer Ken Hames.
World
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.
Not even a wild Atlantic storm can stop the Irish
The Irish sure know how to throw a good party, as experienced last month at the National Ploughing Association event at Screggan, County Offaly, Ireland.
Call for Brexit revote
Britain should hold a second referendum on Brexit to make sure the British people fully understand what they will be in for when the UK leaves the European Union (EU) in six months.
Drought top priority for new PM
New Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s first trip in the top job was to a drought-stricken farm in Queensland.
Drought crisis for Irish farmers
Farmers in Northern Europe – especially the UK and Ireland – are facing a crisis as drought forces them to sell stock early while they struggle to adequately feed animals remaining.
Opinion
A licence to farm — Editorial
The Government has a clear message for farmers: ignore climate change at your peril.
A tale of two shows
OPINION: There were clear winners and losers in this year's regional field days circuit.
Report shows way on climate change
OPINION: The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s (PCE) recent comprehensive report: “Farms, Forests and Fossil Fuels” shows the clear way…
Innovation rather than regulation may be the answer
Federated Farmers' meat and wool council is calling for compulsory regulation of stock agents.
Confusion over Fonterra’s motive for Motif investment
OPINION: It is hard to imagine what signal Fonterra thinks it is sending to shareholders with its investment in Motif,…
Agribusiness
How McDonald's changed a farm
A large East Coast Māori-owned farm has the McDonald's restaurant chain to thank for its recent improvements.
Embrace challenges – don’t run from them
Disruption is happening whether we like it or not, says Dave Maslen, NZ Merino general manager for markets and sustainability.
Less milk wasted
A Christchurch start-up has been recognised at a major Australian agricultural technology event for its technology aimed at minimising waste…
Keeping an eye on honey in real time
A Hamilton company has developed a real-time system that enables beekeepers to see data on their hives’ weight, temperature and…
Increase in AB boosts LIC’s result
More dairy farmers are opting for artificial breeding (AB), boosting sales for LIC.
Management
Award for planning tool
Ballance Agri Nutrients’ farm environment planning tool MitAgator last month won the Smart Farming Award at the South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee.
Large players struggling to adjust to challenges
Many very large food companies, particularly in the US, are struggling to adjust to the changing tastes of consumers, says Nick Fereday, RaboResearch senior analyst consumer foods.
Farming on Mt Horrible
Farming is a three-generation family affair for the Haywards of Mt Horrible, near Timaru.
Pasture growth raises morale
Scattered rain over the past few weeks has been enough to encourage new pasture growth, helping to raise morale amongst Waikato’s farmers.
Lucerne the N-fixer
Lucerne is the world’s most important forage, says Lincoln University professor of plant science Derrick Moot.
Farm Health
A little planning goes a long way
Farmers spend many hours planning their lives around the farming year, but often health and safety is left out.
Seeing the bottom of M. bovis?
An update meeting on Mycoplasma bovis in Hamilton earlier this month, threw up several questions, not least where were all the farmers?
Genetic solutions to herd challenges
Herd improvement company CRV Ambreed claims its 2019 bulls offer farmers great options.
Pneumonia and pleurisy in sheep
Pneumonia and pleurisy in sheep can be costly, but you can take steps to prevent it.
New online Mycoplasma bovis tool
A new online tool is part of the quest to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.
Machinery & Products
Spray variability all sorted
Applying chemicals to arable or grassland crops has many variables — differing chemical formats and target volumes, and forward speeds…
Portable power on the farm
Erratic weather and seismic events, more frequent these days, are prompting many farmers to have standby generators on site.
Futuristic sprayer sets standard
Now part of the Kubota Corporation, machinery manufacturer Kverneland is on a roll, particularly with new products coming to market.
Crop planting and regrassing for all types of situations
Crop establishment, particularly various ways of doing it, was the focus of a recent field day near Taupo.
Many benefits in using fluid applicator
Matamata farmer Matthew Zonderop says he’s never looked back since he started using a Tow and Fert unit about three…
Motoring
Mercedes X350 smoother than a Hollywood star
While 2018 heralded the arrival of the long-awaited Mercedes X-Class ute, early 2019 brought with it the cream of the…
A real small-block bruiser
You wouldn't credit a 6.1L Chevy small-block V8 with a fuel economy figure of 7.8L/100km but that’s the figure displayed…
Jeep Gladiator a chariot that will attract many
2020 will see the arrival of a Jeep aimed at tapping Kiwis’ unquenchable thirst for utes, says brand distributor in…
Bold new face for Holden
Holden is putting SUVs front and centre of its plan for the future.
G-Class Professional built tough for outdoors
The Mercedes G-Class Professional is a military-grade tough, yet smooth, vehicle.
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The Hound
Fail!
PM Jacinda Ardern may have many talents, but an understanding of business is clearly not one of them.
The good life?
Your canine crusader admires those people in high positions who do not take their own self-importance too seriously and are…
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Butter price hikes could push opening forecast to $7.50
Soaring butter prices may see next season’s milk price go beyond $7/kgMS – even as high as the mid sevens.
No longer so sure about BW
OPINION: Breeding worth (BW) was introduced decades ago and has served farmers well as a breeding guide – or has…
Interesting path to farming careers
Fertiliser co-op Ravensdown says it is helping a new crop of talented university graduates to build careers in New Zealand…
Rural Life
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…
Tractor for tight spaces
Italian specialist tractor manufacturer SAME, part of the SDF Group, used the recent EIMA 18 Expo in Bologna, to roll…