New pasture guide launched to support farmers in a changing climate
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
Well-known sheep specialist Professor Paul Kenyon is the new head of Massey University’s Institute of Veterinary, Animal, and Biomedical Sciences.
The institute includes New Zealand’s only veterinary teaching hospital and its leading native wildlife health centre, Wildbase.
Kenyon has led or co-led at least 100 sheep research studies in the past decade, resulting in 330 scientific publications aimed at improving on-farm productivity and profitability.
College of Sciences pro vice-chancellor Professor Robert Anderson says Kenyon’s proven teaching and management skills and his strong research links in New Zealand, Australia, Asia and South America made him an excellent candidate for the role.
Professor Kenyon says there are opportunities for the institute to grow in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and in research nationally and internationally. He aims to help identify those opportunities and develop strategies to exploit them.
“I’m honoured to be the head of an institute that is nationally and internationally recognised for its teaching and research excellence. And I’m excited by the challenges this position brings.”
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.