New co-op directors to help push for smarter farming
Fertiliser co-op Ravensdown has three new directors — academic Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, farmer Nicola Hyslop and e-commerce leader David Biland.
Recent
Primary sector exports reach record highs
New Zealand’s primary sector exports continue to surpass expectations with revenue reaching a record $46.4 billion, up 8.7% on the…
Taking blackcurrants to the top of the tree
South Canterbury organic blackcurrant grower Tony Howey wants to topple blueberries from being publicly perceived as the ‘king of antioxidants’.
Adding value not bulk
While conventional growers would aim for a yield of about 10t/ha, Tony Howey aims for about 5t/ha.
Chinese demand boosts NZ beef outlook
Continuing strong growth in Chinese demand for New Zealand beef is set support solid returns for the nation’s beef producers…
National
Trade will feed the world
Globalisation is the only way to feed 9.6 billion people by 2050 with a healthy diet on a healthy planet,…
Report shows value of ag chem
A landmark report reveals that without crop protection products, New Zealand’s economy would lose $7.5 to $11.4 billion.
Consumers rule growers’ business
Consumers’ demands are driving the way Ohakune commercial vegetable growers Bruce and Stephanie Rollinson produce and package their Brussel sprouts…
Dairy farm to be converted to kiwifruit
Craigmore Sustainables will invest $38 million to convert 137ha of established dairy farm at Kerikeri into a kiwifruit orchard.
Growers urged to keep track of ‘messy middle’
New Zealand and Australia have done “wonderful work” in their produce industries. But after it leaves the farm or orchard…
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
Brexit in my face
Peter Burke has spent the last three weeks observing Brexit first-hand in England and Ireland.
Bleeding out NZ?
OPINION: By 2050 China will own New Zealand agriculture and with it our country’s future.
Clearer understanding of water needed
OPINION: New Zealanders like their rivers to be clear, to be able to see through the water to the bottom…
For the world’s sake – get it right
OPINION: ‘Policy on the fly’ has never been a good option and our Government appears to be combining this with…
We are not quislings or sellouts
OPINION: The suggestion that groups such as DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ are selling the sector out over agricultural…
Agribusiness
NZ apple industry GRASPs the nettle on labour laws
New Zealand Apples & Pears is positioning itself as a global leader in social practices and in eliminating exploitation of…
The battle for trust
With distrust growing in consumers, even for science, gaining their trust is now more valuable to win than ever.
Genetics arm to be folded back into Beef + Lamb mothership
The end of Government funding for Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics has prompted a move to integrate the business…
Expect more disruption
Food and fibre is the most “activist disrupted” sector globally, second only to petroleum, says KPMG’s global head of agribusiness,…
Pay people better – O’Connor
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has urged growers to pay people better.
Management
Pushback on disease affecting brassica crops
A team led by Punjab Agricultural University, India, with researchers from The University of Western Australia, reports a breakthrough in disease resistance in brassica crops.
Catch crops' bottom-line and environmental benefits
Catch crops could rise in importance in crop rotations, particularly as the regulatory spotlight lights up the environmental impact of winter feed crops.
Hawke’s Bay shepherd seizes his opportunities
Chris Hursthouse (22) is proof you don’t have to grow up on a farm to succeed in farming.
More farmland goes in to trees
A large foreign-financed but New Zealand owned investment company has brought a big station in the Wairarapa for forestry development.
Farming the ocean
Salmon farmer New Zealand King Salmon says it is taking a step towards the future by applying for resource consent to farm in the open ocean of Cook Strait.
Farm Health
Reducing stress on in-lamb ewes
Most of the ewes that make up the New Zealand ewe flock are high performance animals, many of them sitting…
Multi-prong attack in combatting worms
Changes in a farm’s land use or policies which result in it having mostly young livestock could be disastrous in…
Johne’s disease remains a problem
Johne’s disease remains an issue for livestock farmers New Zealand-wide.
Wool’s smell may combat flystrike
An Australian research project has identified compounds in Merino sheep wool that are attractive to blowflies.
Machinery & Products
Automation answer to labour issues
More automated asparagus harvesting now in progress is expected to address the industry’s seasonal labour bottleneck.
She’s one big trailer!
Local makers of high capacity tipping trailers have some way to go to keep up with Irish manufacturers.
Massive machine moving mountains
Norwood has imported the biggest tractor yet seen in New Zealand -- a New Holland T9.670 scraper.
A hay barn, workshop, storage space
These old shipping containers out front of rural properties can be mighty well-travelled.
MAN what a V-six!
German engine manufacturer MAN has a new Stage V compliant unit destined to power self propelled foragers and combine harvesters…
Motoring
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.
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.
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The Hound
Quota watch
The Hound understands that Mike Petersen’s time as NZ agriculture’s special trade envoy will soon end.
What a jerk
Your old mate notes that serial whinger Mike Joy continues to put the boot into the farming sector.
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Popular Reads
Slow plane ride triggers Fonterra complaint
Fonterra's biggest shareholder, ex-director Colin Armer, says it’s unbelievable the co-op’s directors and management have lost so much money.
Farmers, activists told to tone things down
Southland farming leaders and environmental activists have called for a breather in their set-to over winter grazing practices.
Higher margin, more efficiency
The average Jersey herd will make 67 cents more this season than a Holstein Friesian herd, claims Jersey Advantage spokesman…
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…