Policy uncertainty concerns farmers
Government policy settings are presently farmers’ biggest worry, says Federated Farmers president Katie Milne.
Recent
Primary sector’s commitment to reducing emissions
Primary sector leaders have come together to make an unprecedented commitment to reducing and mitigating agricultural emissions.
Spy in the sky promises no stock upset
Farmers are being assured that any spying on grazing practices on farm this winter won’t upset stock.
Rural women and babies at risk
“Women's and babies’ lives are at risk and we want action,” says Penny Mudford, Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) national…
Brexit and NZ's meat industry
If Britain crashes out of the EU at the end of October it will be unlikely to seriously affect the…
National
Vet gets top gong
Oamaru vet Dr Merlyn Hay, who in 2017 outed Mycoplasma bovis on an Oamaru dairy farm, won the premier award…
Changes not all they’re cracked up to be
New Zealand egg production is expected to decline by 4.5% to 955.7 million eggs during 2019-20.
Investment fund targets hort sector
Five emerging stars of the horticulture industry have been singled out for investment by a new fund which aims to…
Could red turn to gold?
The response to the new red variety of kiwifruit has been exceptional, says Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson.
Quiz local govt candidates on costs, services — Feds
Hold your local council candidates to account on costs and services: and if you think the voice of farmers is…
World
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.
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.
Opinion
Connecting grass and the city
OPINON: New Zealand's large agricultural sector should not be seen as a hindrance to the development of a more modern and…
Less mud throwing — Editorial
It looks like the next attack on farming will take the form of a campaign against winter grazing and the…
Bridging the gap in rural health care
Professor Jane Mills, pro vice-chancellor of Massey University’s College of Health, explains how the future for rural health in NZ…
Fantasy meets reality — Editorial
With another National Fieldays done and dusted for the year it is an opportune time to reflect on the current…
Data will unlock the next era of farming
Xero’s head of agribusiness and practice strategy, Cam Anderson explains how technology can unlock the full productive potential of our farms.
Agribusiness
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.
Farming the Chathams: the tyranny of distance
Like a small scale model of the challenges New Zealand agriculture faces being so far from its main markets, farmers…
Booming sheep milking a top prospect
Good growth in the sheep milking industry during the 2018-19 financial year signals this is a good time for farmers to get…
Dairy’s top woman backs recycling
Dairy Woman of the Year Trish Rankin has a message for all farmers: recycling systems work and it is worth…
Management
Industry and govt at odds over CPDs
The farm quad industry and its regulators are at odds over the fitting of rollover devices on these machines.
Minimising winter grazing damage
While winter feed crops are crucial in Simon O’Meara’s farm system, the West Otago sheep and beef farmer is making changes to cut their damage to the environment.
Award-winning farmers profit from looking after the environment
A Taranaki family have proved that profitable dairying and paying special attention to the environment aren’t incompatible.
Waikato farmers scoop sustainability awards
Waikato farmers Adrian and Pauline Ball are the new National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing, plus the recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy.
Tips for saving fuel
Fuel costs are a hot topic everywhere, added to the rising costs of compliance and licensing. Here are some tips on how to reduce fuel consumption and lower costs for rural businesses.
Farm Health
Study reveals big ewe wastage
Massey veterinarian Kate Griffiths recently outlined the results of a six year trial looking at the ability of a ewe…
Drench resistance a growing problem
Triple drench resistance is present on a number of sheep farms Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Wormwise is dealing with.
Combination of tools gives best worm control – expert
Effective management of worms in sheep, cattle and other ruminants is no longer a one tool job.
Strong cow sale for Angus stud
Meadowslea Stud Angus, at Fairlie, says its third annual production cow sale saw solid demand from stud and commercial buyers at…
Udderly important research provides answers
While udders are vital for lamb survival, surprisingly little research has been done on udder health.
Machinery & Products
John Deere updates air seeder
John Deere has introduced a redesigned version of the N500C series air drill.
Gunning for Fendt
Baseball caps, overalls and jackets are a familiar aspect of aftermarket promotion. But Fendt has taken an interesting step further.
New 900 Series tractors coming
German manufacturer Fendt has released details of its new sixth generation 900 series tractors, which will be a big focus…
Saving the planet one post at a time
Working as a farmer and fencing contractor for 15 years made Jerome Wenzlick very familiar with fence posts — now…
Motoring
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,…
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…
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The Hound
Yuck
This old mutt notes that millionaire Hollywood producer and advocate for mung bean farming James Cameron is happy to fly…
Showing the way
A mate of the Hound reckons some major agricultural companies wanting to promote their ideas and services could learn from…
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Popular Reads
Activists’ aerial attack
Farmers are bracing for a major animal rights campaign against their winter grazing practices.
$64m gain from sale for Fonterra
Fonterra has pulled the plug on another investment overseas as the co-op continues to rebuild its balance sheet.
Positive feedback to Fonterra’s fixed milk price scheme
Fonterra says there has been really positive feedback to the inaugural June round of a new Fixed Milk Price scheme…
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…