Waikato farm a role model for riparian planting
A Waikato dairy farm which began its first riparian planting project 20 years ago now stands as an exemplar for rural land users, backed by science and clever long-term planning.
A new dairy goat research facility in Waikato is expected to help lift the country’s milk supply.
Run by AgResearch, the new facility at Ruakura, Hamilton, can run 48 goats and will be used for trials including bedding preferences for kids, forage preferences and environment enrichment.
AgResearch partnership and portfolios director Dr Greg Murison says the dairy goat industry is a great example of science making a difference throughout the value chain from on-farm to off-farm, supporting Dairy Goat Cooperative (DGC) in establishing and growing its business.
“DGC has an excellent track record of developing and marketing high quality exports based on strong R&D,” he says.
AgResearch has three programmes of dairy goat research underway, two funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and the third by the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Sustainable Farming Fund, with cash and in-kind co-funding from DGC.
The latest project is to grow the supply of dairy goat milk via improved forage supply and superior animal welfare practices.
The first trial in the new facility looks at bedding preferences, to determine what surfaces goats favour.
DGC chairman Campbell Storey says the AgResearch work is crucial to the industry’s growth.
“There has been an industry shift to farming goats mainly indoors. There is a greater focus on animal welfare, milk quality and on producing milk... with the correct profile to produce what we believe is the best dairy goat infant formula in the world.”
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.