FEWER, BETTER fed cow looks set to deliver much more milk for little extra cost on Lincoln University's Dairy Farm this season, judging by a field day late last month on the showcase irrigated Canterbury unit.

MUCH OF the research in the Waikato is, perhaps understandably, more relevant to dairy farmers than sheep and beef farmers.

The overall incidence of mastitis in cows this year is down, a field day at the Westpac Taranaki Agricultural Research Station at Hawera last week heard.

When trikes and quads first appeared on farms they were primarily for all terrain transport – fairly basic and with moderate power.

It was love at first sight when Malcolm Taylor visited New Zealand on holiday back in 1972.

Recent releases by Statistics New Zealand point to a bumper export performance led by our farm system, largely due to a wetter summer which allowed many regions to increase productivity. However, some dark clouds are gathering.

Taranaki dairy farmers dealing with the effects of the weekend's storm are advised to remember cows are resilient and careful management will get them through any missed milkings.

The weather bomb that struck the west coast of the lower North Island has affected a number of farms.  The priority is animal welfare, especially stock access to drinking water.

Federated Farmers has conditionally backed changes to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) and its Raw Milk Regulations. Its submission stresses that any change to the DIRA for Fonterra's TAF (trading among farmers) hinges on supplier-shareholder endorsement.

More than 500 farmers have again attended this year's Effluent Expo, held at Mystery Creek yesterday, maintaining the very solid interest shown at last year's inaugural expo.