DURING LAST year’s drought, when conventional pasture was parched and brown across Waikato, paddocks of chicory stood out like oases.

THE NEW Zealand Veterinary Association is extending its leptosure disease control programme to include sheep, beef cattle and deer.

The Rural News article published page 29, January 21, states:  John Roche, Dairy NZ’s principal scientist, animal science, rubbishes suggestions high MU is associated with poor reproduction.  “Let me be very clear, there is no evidence that a high MU (milk urea) is in anyway detrimental to cow production, health or reproduction.”

DAIRY TECHNOLOGY suppliers Lely, TechniPharm and Cowhouse Construction last week held a ‘live’ robotic milking display at the Southern Field Days, Waimumu.

NZ PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Minister Nathan Guy will open a new Fonterra new warehouse in the United Arab Emirates during a visit to the Middle East.

DairyNZ is issuing summer dry messages to farmers and advising farmers to look after young stock.

DAIRY FARMER cooperative, LIC, has bought the assets and business of Waikato-based Dairy Automation Limited (DAL).

TAINUI GROUP Holdings, Ngai Tahu Capital and Pioneer Capital have bought dairy technology company Waikato Milking Systems.The company was sold by majority shareholder UPC Capital and managing director John Anderson with settlement on March 31.

FONTERRA HAS lifted its forecast farmgate milk price for the 2013/14 season by 35 cents to a record level of $8.65 per kgMS.

MEAT INDUSTRY Excellence (MIE) chairman John McCarthy is calling for Beef + Lamb (B+L) to get behind a remit before next month's annual meeting seeking further financial support for the group's drive to reform the red meat sector.