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.
Recent
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.
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,…
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?
Pasture growth raises morale
Scattered rain over the past few weeks has been enough to encourage new pasture growth, helping to raise morale amongst…
National
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…
Overseas visitors needed to pick crops
Overseas visitors are being offered temporary work visas to help pick kiwifruit in Bay of Plenty.
DIRA changes are coming
The reform of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) need not be radical but there will be some changes, Agriculture…
Mixed signals — despite high prices
The rural property market is lacking ‘zing’ despite high primary product prices and low interest rates, says BNZ’s agribusiness report…
Truly outstanding in their fields
The East Coast of the North Island features prominently in this year’s Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award for Sheep and…
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 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,…
Axe most of TWG’s recommendations
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to reject most of the raft of new taxes proposed by the Tax…
Agribusiness
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.
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.
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
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.
Simmentals first choice
Superior weight gain makes Simmentals the breed of choice for Canterbury sheep and beef farmer Mark Copland.
Harnessing better feed and genetic performance
Ram harnesses are a useful tool for feed allocation, and they can also help identify unmated hoggets that will then have higher lifetime performance.
Stop slugs munching your profits
The last few planting seasons have seen favourable conditions for slugs.
Farm Health
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.
Get ewes in shape for lambing
Focus on the ewes with a lower body condition score (BCS).
Machinery & Products
Red and blue heavy hitters on the horizon
Heavy metal fans in the US are getting a glimpse of new tractors from Case IH and New Holland.
Delivering big tractor performance
Massey Ferguson has launched new models in its MF GC1700 series sub-compact range.
Seed drill brings air to the mix
Well known for its NZ-made range of seed drills, Duncan Ag has recently launched the Enviro ATD30 heavy-duty, triple disc…
JCB garners headlines
The new JCB Series III Loadall made its international debut at the recent SIMA show in Paris, winning Machine of…
Baling innovations keep on coming
While the German manufacturer Krone can claim a history dating back 115 years, its large square balers are much more…
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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Popular Reads
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…
The sad demise of Westland Milk
Selling Westland Milk Products to the Chinese dairy giant Yili may be the right thing but will be the sad…
Stop slugs munching your profits
The last few planting seasons have seen favourable conditions for slugs.
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…