Around 40 farm managers and workers joined industry experts at Taratahi's Wairarapa Campus last week to learn more about improving dairy herd fertility through the Dairy NZ In-Calf programme.

A UNITED States dairy farmers group is subsidising the export of 824 tonnes of cheese and 487 tonnes of butter to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa.  The product is to be delivered by September.

TWO CANTERBURY farms will initially supply a2 milk for processing into infant formula. But more farms may be needed if A2 Corporation's (A2C) realises its hopes to market the specialty milk powder into China, says Australian-based managing director Geoffrey Babidge.

DON’T LET ample pasture now lull you into a false sense of security with winter just round the corner, says farm management systems firm Farmax.

tASMANIAN FARMER Leigh Schuuring believes it is critical to expand his herd without compromising the quality of his cows. 

THE WAIKATO Regional Council says a large proportion of dairy water-take consents required under its new Variation 6 water allocation policy should only need to go through a "relatively simple" process.

NEAR FOX Glacier in South Westland, the dairy industry on the coast starts to unfold. There’s just a narrow coastal plain at first, but this widens the further north you go. Driving up SH6, the visitor sees signs of new dairy conversions and established dairy farms looking in good shape or expanding.  

A FOCUS on personnel has made a Northland farm into a more profitable, smoother running operation, says Northland Sharemilker of the Year runner-up Michael Rope.

EKETAHUNA MAY not be everyone's dream town with its reputation for cold winters and wet springs. This adverse climate has led Spring Grove Dairies to go to OAD.

THE FINALISTS in the 2012 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year contest are a mix of experienced and new dairy farmers. The group is made up of small, medium and large-scale operators.