Dairymen in California see themselves as the “star model for dairying” but they are far from creaming it.

As we approach National Fieldays, the foggy season has arrived in Waikato, but it’s not all gloom and doom.

Prices have been up at weaner fairs around the country, reflecting the buoyancy of the beef market and the need for many hill country farmers to reduce stock numbers ahead of winter, comments PGG Wrightson.

How low will you go? How long will you stay there? Those are the questions Dairy NZ is asking at the latest round of ‘Tactics for Tight Times’ workshops around the country.

Beef prices have entered a “structural change” and are likely to stay 20-30% above historical averages, Rabobank’s Hayley Moynihan says.

Low dairy prices will benefit the New Zealand dairy industry in the long term, says a Lincoln University official.

While farmers are “traditionally a private and self sufficient breed” it is important they seek help early when the uncontrollable bites.

Assessing fodder beet yield is essential to minimise risk in transitioning stock onto the crop but be realistic about the level of accuracy that can be achieved.

Farms from the Far North and the East Coast have made the Ahuwhenua finals.

While much of the focus in the early weaning trials has been on twins, there are even bigger gains to be made for single lambs born on herb mixes.