BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS (TB) is these days most likely to enter your herd on the back of a truck, warns a retiring TBfree NZ stalwart with a lifetime’s experience of managing the disease control effort.

Federated Farmers adverse effects spokeswoman Katie Milne says she is amazed that Westpac economists believe the drought may have no effect on the economy because of rising dairy prices.

WHILE THE drought is terribly painful to many dairy farmers – essentially it’s ruined a bumper season – it has brought to the fore some issues worth considering.

THE 2013 Taranaki Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year, Rachel and Kenneth Short, have become the first family to claim two generations of success in the awards.

Eighty dairy farmers attended a recent SMASH (Smaller Milk and Supply Herds) field day at Matakana Island off Tauranga. Tony Hopkinson looks at some challenges of farming on the island, and reports on the field day.

REFENCING A whole farm following its extension has been a good test of a dairy farmer’s choice of gates. 

DROUGHT RAVAGED dairy farmers should not expect immediate respite when the rain arrives.

DROUGHT BEHAVIOUR renders deeply questionable the concept of co-operative companies being for the benefit and fair treatment of shareholders.

EVER HEARD people talk about their “BHAG”?

ANOTHER WEEK, another suite of big nights for North Island dairy farmers as the annual awards season gets into full swing.