Early Calf Nutrition Linked To Better Growth And Future Milk Production
Giving calves the best possible start to life has been shown to boost growth and resilience.
DairyNZ Farmers’ Forums start this week with dairy’s future and opportunities heading the agenda.
The forum’s theme is ‘Future perspectives’ – local and global impact.
DairyNZ says speakers will explain developments in New Zealand and overseas, how they may impact local farmers and how farmers can prepare with confidence.
Each year the DairyNZ Farmers’ Forums alternate between a national event and regional events; six forums will be held NZ-wide for the next six weeks. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor will speak at two of the six forums – Timaru (by video-conference) and Westport. The Timaru event is the first one, on April 17.
Keynote speakers will vary with locality. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones will speak at the Whangarei forum.
Other keynote speakers are Massey University professor of farm and agribusiness management professor Nicola Shadbolt, NZ special agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen, DairyNZ principal economist Graeme Doole and NZX Ltd head of analytics Julia Jones.
Other speakers at specific events include:
• Jamie Fitzgerald, adventurer and member of the Institute of Directors will tell stories of bridging the gap between strategy, leadership and teams.
• Robotics Plus Ltd chief executive Dr Matt Glenn will speak about developing robotic and automation solutions for global agriculture and horticulture.
Workshops and science snapshots will show the latest R&D to help farmers improve how they farm.
Topics include finding new traits to improve cow genetic merit for fertility, plantain-based pastures for production and environmental benefits, and ‘tightening up our belch’: how we’ll reduce methane emissions.
The forums will have information tailored for each region.
They are free for levy-paying farmers and their staff.
Register at dairynz.co.nz/farmersforum
Mainland Poultry has confirmed new ownership of its vertically integrated agribusiness with Pacific Equity Partners Gateway (PEP Gateway) now joining current shareholders Navis.
The recently published State of the Industry -Tractors and Machinery 2025 from the Australian Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA), the equivalent of New Zealand’s TAMA, gives an interesting perspective of the industry.
Strong competition and tightening supply have seen wool reach its highest prices paid at auction since 2011.
The Government is funding a feasibility study to investigate what would be required for a successful farmer-led purchase of the McCain Foods' vegetable processing site in Hastings.
A young man just five years out of his Lincoln University degree already has his foot in the door of farm ownership, as equity manager of a large new dairy conversion now taking shape in Mid- Canterbury.
Visitors to the LIC stand at this year’s Fieldays can expect practical farm conversations, specialist drop-in sessions and exclusive shareholder events.

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