Tags help keep track of NZ velvet
A new system is being developed for tracing tagged velvet as it moves through the supply chain.
Recent
Farm sales easing – report
Farm sales are dropping, according to data released by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).
DIRA changes fall short – farmers
Farmers want dairy industry regulations to apply equally to all milk processors in New Zealand.
Fingerprinting our food
A machine used by surgeons in delicate operations could eventually provide ways of guaranteeing New Zealand farm exports’ provenance.
Online auction popular in wake of M. bovis
Feedback is positive from clients who have tried PGG Wrightson’s new bidr online auction system, says Waikato PGW livestock agent…
National
Budget funding unveiled
Agricultural Minister Damien O’Connor claims at least 2000 farmers will be helped with on-the-ground support to lift their environmental sustainability…
PM concedes agri sector uncertainty
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledges uncertainty about climate change is making life difficult for farmers.
Massey’s new generation beef wows the crowds
A new, tasty meat product could solve a problem for dairy farmers and yield them extra cash.
CRIs standing tall at Fieldays
AgResearch and three other Crown Research Institute collaborators have won the overall Supreme Site Award for Best Stand at National…
Farmers find useful policy ideas in opposition’s discussion document
Farmers are happy to see that workforce issues are identified as a hot topic in the National Party’s ‘Primary Sector…
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
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.
NZ customers admire our values
OPINION: The international trading system is facing one of its biggest challenges in recent times.
Methane goals way off target
OPINION: Federated Farmers is right on board with the purpose and framework of the Zero Carbon Bill, but not a…
A recipe for disaster — Editorial
OPINION: That old saying about not being able to see the wood for the trees could well describe the government’s…
Agribusiness
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…
Border biosecurity need tech upgrade
A review of biosecurity controls at New Zealand borders recommends continuously adapting new technology.
Management
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.
Community a priority for environmental winners
Staying in touch with their community is a priority for the 2019 Canterbury regional Ballance Farm Environmental Award winners, Duncan and Tina Mackintosh.
Deer farmers set example
Central Hawke's Bay farmers Evan and Linda Potter have won the premier Elworthy Award in the deer industry’s 2019 environmental awards.
Forages help stem nitrate losses
A sheep and beef farmer taking part in the big Forages for Reduced Nitrates Leaching (FRNL) research programme has found its stated goal of a 20% reduction in nitrate leaching out of reach.
Farm Health
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.
Vets ready for new horn removal rules
Vets NZ-wide are gearing up to help farmers comply with new rules on using local anesthetic while removing horn tissue from…
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?
Machinery & Products
Gallagher ups investment in Aussie agritech company
Melbourne agritech company Agersens says it has raised $14.75 million capital including cash from existing investors such as NZ’s Gallagher…
Safer battery charging
A new compact charger designed for lithium ion phosphate batteries keeps them safer and always ready for use, the manufacturer…
Veloce – Italian for fast
Described as a medium duty disc harrow, the Maschio Veloce is ideal for seed bed preparation or for incorporating residues…
Alternative quad may be a choice
Your brow will furrow when you first see the e3 quad from Switch EV Global.
150k tractors celebrated
Farm machinery maker Claas is celebrating having made 150,000 tractors since it bought the Renault brand in 2003.
Motoring
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…
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…
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The Hound
Death by trees
OPINION: Your canine crusader finds it ironic that the pompously self-proclaimed ‘champion’ of the provinces and ‘first citizen’ of regional…
All sizzle
OPINION: Remember when Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, about a year ago, launched his new baby the Primary Sector Council (PSC)…
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Popular Reads
Synlait still confident on plant
Synlait chief executive Leon Clement still hopes to open the company’s new Pokeno milk powder plant on time.
Fonterra’s asset sales backed
Farmers are backing Fonterra’s review of assets and overseas joint ventures as it grapples with strengthening its balance sheet.
Plastic fence post scoops innovation award
A company that makes fence posts from 100% recycled plastics has won an innovation award at the NZ National Fieldays.
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…