Best practices for optimal pasture application
Good effluent management on a dairy farm combines a well-designed system with proper processes to ensure the right amount of effluent gets applied to pasture at the right time.
TB differential slaughter levy rates are changing with dairy animals paying $12.25/head, an increase of 75c from next month.
Ospri says that each year, the slaughter levy rates for beef and dairy cattle are reviewed under the TBfree Funders’ Agreement to ensure that the overall funding of the TBfree programme aligns with the agreed funding levels.
Levies are adjusted to reflect the latest industry farm gate values and slaughter volumes for dairy and beef stock.
The levy for beef animals drop by 25c to $4.50/head.
Ospri says The TB differential slaughter levy is collected to support funding of the programme on behalf of beef and dairy industries. The funding shares change annually based on shifts in the relative size and value of each industry.
“We communicate any adjustments to the differential slaughter levy to DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Deer Industry New Zealand — the industry levy bodies in the TBfree Funders’ Agreement. Adjustments are made in line with the annual funding level specified.
“Adjustments in differential levy rates don’t provide an overall increase in the annual funding of the TBfree programme — but do ensure consistent funding to enable the programme to deliver.”
Ospri advises both beef and dairy farmers to keep their NAIT accounts up to date and record the correct animal type to ensure they are paying the correct TB slaughter levy.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).