Dairy farmers searching for efficiencies in their operation know that homegrown, fully utilised pasture has always been the most cost-effective feed. Even before the current downturn, many farmers were not only looking at output ratios such as milk solids per cow, but also at feed efficiency ratios such as the cost of producing a megajoule of metabolisable energy per kg of dry matter. 

WHETHER MOTIVATED by profitability or a drive for continuous improvement, growing staff productivity is an ongoing challenge facing all businesses. 

THE WOOL industry needs a leadership group, says Wools of NZ chairman Mark Shadbolt, who urges prompt talks on setting one up now that growers have rejected the proposed levy.

Originally, this article was going to be all about the future. All about the Structure and Governance workshops currently under way.

TO HELP convince farmers that the Sportsman Ace makes as much sense on the farm as a quad Polaris have created a Farmer Edition that comes with free accessories worth $2,380.

ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY has announced its approval of the third farm environment plan template under the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan.

IF WE DON'T look after all natural pollinators, particularly the honey bee, we could see economic and social collapse, says John Hartnell, Federated Farmers Bees chairperson and a Christchurch-based exporter of bee products.

A JOINT New Zealand-French study showing varroa makes bees much more susceptible to other problems confirms what beekeepers have learnt from experience, say industry leaders.

REPOROA DAIRY farmers Robin and Annette Broderson have only ever owned Massey Ferguson tractors, finding no reason to look at other brands, says distributor Agco.

RABOBANK HAS appointed succession planning manager Chris Haworth as part of Rabobank's focus on assisting New Zealand farmers with the challenges of succession planning.