The only certainty for dairy farming is that the future for every farmer in New Zealand will be different from the realities they face today.

The speakers lined up for New Zealand’s premier dairy conference at Lincoln University from June 26 to 28 suggest this year’s event is not to be missed.

The primary sector is forecast for a bumper year ahead after some challenging past seasons of wet conditions, earthquakes, cyclones, and volatile global commodity prices.

Milking machinery provider DeLaval has revealed its new rotary milking system designed for New Zealand farmers.

Fonterra will pay its Australian suppliers an opening price of A$5.30/kgMS for the 2017-18 season.

Modern, science-based farming is the way to achieve a future for New Zealand where dairy farming has a lower environmental footprint, says DairyNZ’s chief executive, Dr Tim Mackle.

Providing pain relief when disbudding calves is not mandated by regulation but it is coming, says DairyNZ animal husbandry specialist Bruce Eyers.

Higher dairy payouts have put dairy farmers in a good position to take advantage of new technologies, says ANZ’s managing director commercial & agri, Mark Hiddleston.

A critical way to reduce the spread of disease from one season to the next is by removing soiled bedding and thoroughly cleaning a calf shed.

A summer-long on-farm study of irrigation efficiency in the Ashburton area will provide a benchmark for progress.