As calving approaches, farmers need to get their teams ready for what lies ahead in the coming months.

The missing link in getting maximum weight gain in your calves may be as simple as keeping them warm, says the Christchurch manufacturer of a range of woollen covers for young livestock.

Dairy farmers have the perfect tool at their disposal this calving season to set their herds up for future productivity – the rumen in their replacement heifer calves.

Over-conditioned cows, those with excess body condition (BCS > 6.0), present unique challenges, especially as they approach calving.

OPINION: Farmers from all over the country have made an impressive effort to put good wintering practices in place, ensuring their animals are cared for no matter what the weather conditions are.

OPINION: Farmers have always been wary of the Resource Management Act (RMA).

OPINION: Recently several Labour MPs, including leader Chris Hipkins and deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni spent two days in Waikato with representatives of DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb NZ, Federated Farmers, Groundswell and Rural Women NZ among others.

Fonterra was part of a recent New Zealand business delegation to Japan, a market that is one of the co-operative's top export destinations for high-quality, innovative dairy ingredients.

Opportunities for passionate, future-focused farmers to apply their governance experience are available at DairyNZ, with the Board of Directors nominations now open.

Waiuku dairy farmers Nick and Nikki Ruygrok are passing on a dairy farming legacy to their sons that they can be proud of.