Fonterra’s Pierre Venter named next vice chancellor of Massey University
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
THE UPTAKE of precision agriculture is gradually improving, says Massey University’s professor of precision agriculture Ian Yule.
Different things are happening at different rates and an example of high uptake is auto steering that enables an operator to put a machine in exactly the right place easily.
Yule says devices to put fertiliser and spray in the right place are now commonly used, but the uptake of yield mapping is low, yet this technology offers significant benefits to farmers.
Precision agriculture can increase production by more efficient use of inputs, and it is important to target areas of a farm that are performing poorly.
“The old adage ‘right place, right time’ is the starting point for getting things right…. I don’t necessarily think precision agriculture is the whole answer, but if you take a measure and you don’t manage it effectively, then I think you are wasting your time.”
Yule says there is lots of evidence that the level of management on an average farm is not maximising productivity; precision agriculture can make a difference in such cases.
In dealing with nitrogen leaching into soil, housing cows indoors off the pasture is an option. – Peter Burke
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?