Management

Robots to boost profitability

A new generation of milking robots is promising greater profitability for farmers.

Gisborne farmers deering to be different

During the past 20 years Malcolm and Caroline Rau have quietly built-up the Gisborne region's largest deer herd.

Realising potential of hoggets

Hogget breeding has the potential to improve farm productivity but they take careful management according to Professor Paul Kenyon of Massey University. Peter Burke reports.

Positive N news for dairy sheep

An AgResearch study shows that dairy sheep appear to have lower nitrogen leaching per hectare than their bovine counterparts. Dr Diana Selbie has been leading the MBIE-funded project looking at the environmental footprint of dairy sheep. Its aim is to provide some hard data to back up claims that this…

Has the Wiltshire's time come?

One of the key speakers at a recent Massey University Wiltshire field day was Marton farmer Richard Morrison.

Catch crops a valuable tool

Along with several other organisations, Beef+Lamb NZ helped fund the catch crops for reduced nitrate leaching project. Sown as soon as possible after grazing has finished, catch crops have been the subject of a Sustainable Farming Fund project led by Peter Carey from Lincoln Agritech, with support from Brendon Malcolm…

Managing through drought successfully

Farmers in Hawke's Bay have now experienced two successive years of bad droughts, which has stretched their farm management skills to the limit. Watching this and working with farmers to mitigate the problems are two experienced AgFirst farm consultants based in Hastings - Lochie MacGillivray and Phil Tither. They talked…

Quality data assists management

The horticulture industry faces environmental sustainability issues concerning the use of water.

Planning the key to successful winter grazing

A Southland farmer believes careful planning is the key to mitigating potential risks of grazing livestock on fodder crops during the winter.

Managing ewes when covers are low

The dry in some regions of New Zealand has resulted in sheep farmers wondering how they will get through the coming winter and the impacts this may have one the number and weight of lambs weaned. Massey University's Professor Paul Kenyon looks into the issue.

Routine change leads to new challenge

Dan Schmidt's family came to New Zealand in 1896 and settled in Southland where they established a sheep farm.

Support and resources available for farmers impacted by dry

Farmers in regions facing dry or extremely dry conditions are being urged to tap into the resources available to them through their industry good organisations and MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries).

Capturing the benefits of catch crops

Winter forage grazing is used extensively in the South Island as a low-cost system to feed dairy cows and build body condition prior to calving in late winter.

Care needed flushing ewes on lucerne

Farmers considering using lucerne as a flushing feed going into ewe mating should be cautious, especially if the weather has been wet and warm.

Otago Action Group keen to carry on

The Otago-based Bruce District Action Group is transitioning to a self-funded group now that the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) has ended.

A focus on pasture resilience

Pasture resilience will be the key theme of this year's Pasture Symposium, which is being held in the Waikato during May.

Good communication the key

As the autumn sun rose in the east, the first of more than 100 people from around the district started arriving for the field day.

Ahuwhenua finalist showcases farm

Pouarua Farms is the largest, single dairy platform in the Hauraki region and it can also lay claim to be one of the best Maori dairy farms in the country.

Ensure your pasture feeds animals

An agronomist is warning that unusually high insect pressure has seen spring-sown crops take a real hiding in some regions this season.

Awards open up doors

The 2021 Auckland/Hauraki dairy manager of the year Stephanie Walker says the dairy industry awards competition has provided her with invaluable networking.