USING BREEDING values as part of your bull buying strategy could add thousands of dollars to the bottom line of your business – but only if you, or your agent, understand the principals and, crucially, financial implications.

KINBURN FARM, Poukawa, is next door to Poukawa Research Station, so perhaps it's no coincidence its owner Rob Buddo is working closely with PRS scientist Dr Paul Muir on a lucerne cultivar demonstration.

By the time you read this Fonterra’s Milk for Schools initiative will have launched in Northland. Given the idea stemmed from concern about the perceived high price of milk in the shops, it’s ironic that the launch should come just after the cooperative has cut its payout forecast. Milk prices internationally are on the wane and our dollar is doing dairy, and sheep and beef returns come to that, no favours.

There will be a bit of sibling rivalry at the Mystery Creek Events Centre this Saturday.

AN ATTEMPT to connect consumers of our lamb in Germany has seen two New Zealand farmers, one of whom is Ashley Cole, establish blogs on Beef &Lamb NZ's (BLNZ) German website.

Simon Walker was keen to ride the milk wave, but he wasn't willing to convert his sheep and beef farm at Mokomoko near the town of Pahiatua in the Tararua District.

PRIME ARABLE farming land is shrinking under pressure from urban sprawl and ETS, says Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills. Farmers are increasing yields by better methods but the overall area dedicated to grains, sheep and beef farming continues to shrink.

THE NEW Zealand dollar's strength is throwing a dampener on heady days for beef.

THE BEEF industry is hoping to make new inroads into the tricky but potentially huge halal market this year including regaining some of its former $31 million trade to Malaysia.

US CATTLE producers are risking a lucrative export industry by dragging their heels on cattle identification (ID) and traceability systems compared with other beef exporting countries and beef importers.