ratio of staff to cows

Growing a family legacy

Under the watchful eye of Jack, Sophia Hunt prepares oak seedlings for planting on the farm that's been in her family for more than 100 years.

What started with planting some acacia trees 25 years ago has become a multi-generational passion for the Hunt family in Te Awamutu.

Published in Management

Support keeps arable operation on the 'case'

Turley Farms manager Andrew Smith says strong support from the dealership is important in how well problems are addressed when they arise.

Turley Farms is a Canterbury-based, family-owned enterprise that grows vegetable, seed and pasture crops – including wheat, barley, potatoes, white clover, onions, grass seed and carrot seed.

Published in Machinery & Products

Milking trifecta a juggling act

Kevin Schuler says milking cows, goats and sheep on one farm has been a steep learning curve.

Milking cows, goats and sheep on one farm has been a steep learning curve for Te Aroha farmer Kevin Schuler and his brother Paul.

Published in Management

Milking cows behind the barbed wire

Waikeria Prison manager of industries Stuart Morgan (right) and head of farm operations Pete Watson.

A recent field day at the Waikeria Prison Farm near Te Awamutu offered farmers the chance to see what goes on “behind the wire”, alongside introducing the idea of farmers employing offenders near the end or after the term of their sentences.

Published in Management

The long shadow of M.bovis - Editorial

To date, $349.6 million has been spent by the government on operational costs of the response.

OPINION: More than three years on, Mycoplasma bovis continues to cast a shadow over some farms.

Published in Opinion

Mixer makes feeding easy

The arrival of the Hi-Spec mixer has allowed the farm to extend production.

Coolbreene Trust near Taupo is a large-scale dairy operation farming 1150ha, including run-off blocks, within a 10km radius of its home base.

Published in Machinery & Products

Living on an organic island

Tony Dowman heads Pāmu’s dairy farm complex at Moutua, near Foxton.

Running an organic dairy farm is a bit like living on an island where one has to be completely self-sufficient.

Published in Management

Diversifying into goat, sheep milking all about stability

Ex-All Black Kevin Schuler milks cows, goat and sheep on their farms in Te Aroha.

Former All Black Kevin Schuler says diversifying the family farm with his brother Paul into three milking systems – cows, goats and sheep – is all about creating a better and stable business.

Published in General News