Displaying items by tag: Darren Sutton

Thursday, 26 January 2023 09:55

As the climate changes, are we?

OPINION: I've been reading a book recently, written by a farmer, that questions how we deal with (or react to) our changing seasonal climates.

Published in Opinion

Wednesday, 25 November 2020 08:55

Don't run out of water

Studies have shown milk production can decrease by 10-20% if sufficient water is not supplied.

Water is something we often take for granted but over recent years, through the droughts inflicted on us, I have seen many farms whose water systems have been lacking.

Published in Management

Friday, 28 August 2015 14:00

Strategies to manage low pasture cover

OAD milking may not reduce pasture demand but it slows the rate at which cows lose weight.

Many farms are running with lower than target average pasture covers (APC) this time of the year. The months of June and July were cooler than normal so pasture growth rates have not been where they would normally be.

Published in Farm Health

Friday, 26 June 2015 11:39

Plan to regain the driving seat, regardless of payout

Fonterra has announced a best-guess payout forecast of $5.25/kgMS for 2015-16. The bigger surprise was the final payout for 2014-15 of $4.40/kgMS, down another 10 cents.

Published in Opinion

Thursday, 30 April 2015 17:01

Green drought still in play

The drought has gradually broken across most parts of Waikato but many farmers are still in the grips of a ‘green’ drought, with large differences in rainfall and average pasture covers.

Published in Management