Labour warns against sacrificing productive farmland for housing expansion
Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.
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NZ arable farmers face global profitability pressures
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Fonterra launches $1500 on-farm funding for eligible farmers
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
NZ red meat exports up 6% as global supply tightens
Tighter beef and lamb production globally have worked to the advantage of NZ, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Groundswell ramps up ‘Quit Paris’ campaign across New Zealand
Groundswell is ramping up its 'Quit Paris' campaign with signs going up all over the country.
Nelson farmers face years of recovery after floods
Some farmers in the Nelson region are facing up to five years of hard work to repair their damaged properties caused by the recent devastating floods.
National
Karl Dean elected new Federated Farmers dairy chair, focuses on sector's future
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
IFSO urges flood-affected residents to document damage for insurance
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
New Federated Farmers meat and wool chair praises predecessor
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Biolumic’s UV light breakthrough set to transform ryegrass and reduce methane
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
World
India–New Zealand FTA talks continue in Delhi as officials pursue trade breakthrough
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement…
Nestle announces succession plan for board chair
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.Wilmar hands over US$725m ‘court security’ in Indo graft case
Reuters reports that giant food company Wilmar Group has announced it had handed over 11.8 trillion rupiah (US$725 million) to…Aussie farmers get A$8.60/kgMS as opening milk price
Australian dairy farmers supplying Fonterra are getting an opening weighted average milk price of A$8.60/kgMS for the new season or…Fonterra to appeal Aussie court ruling
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.Opinion
Ringing the alarm bells loudly
OPINION: Ruminant methane mitigation tools were a bit of a joke when first proposed; surely no one would be foolish…
Editorial: Sensible move
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of…The politics of climate change
OPINION: The Financial Times, a major international newspaper, featured New Zealand on its front page at the beginning of June.…Outrage won't pay the bills
OPINION: Across rural conversations, we're heading the same tune: crisis.Farmers are quietly solving one of our biggest problems
OPINION: As food insecurity deepens across New Zealand, a powerful solution is quietly unfolding in our rural communities - and…Agribusiness
$150B farm succession challenge looms for NZ agriculture
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued…
Meyer Cheese invests $3.5 million in state-of-the-art Waikato facility
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance…Felicity Roxburgh appointed Executive Director of New Zealand International Business Forum
The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) has announced Felicity Roxburgh will take over as its new executive director.New Zealand to host 2026 Red Dairy Cow Conference in March
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.Rabobank flags rising global dairy prices, warns of downside risks ahead
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is…Management
Value of feedpads expands beyond reducing waste
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with many farmers at events and one-on-one.
Te Herenga o Te Rā combines solar power and sheep grazing
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Best practices for optimal pasture application
Good effluent management on a dairy farm combines a well-designed system with proper processes to ensure the right amount of effluent gets applied to pasture at the right time.
Future-focused animal evaluation to drive genetic gains in NZ dairy sector
New Zealand's dairy sector has long been a global leader in productivity and efficiency, but to stay competitive, it's crucial that the sector keeps pace with advancements in genetic gain.
Team effort behind new ryegrass cultivar to future-proof pastoral farming
It takes a team approach to produce a new cultivar of ryegrass, match-fit to meet the future challenges of pastoral farming.
Farm Health
Probiotics help calf rearing systems
Success in calf rearing is often measured by minimising health issues and achieving target weaning weights.
Good nutrition will support smooth calving
As dairy farmers know all too well, the calving season brings with it significant nutritional demands on the herd.
Still feeding minerals like its 1991?
We've come a long way in dairy farming over the past couple of decades. Genetics are better, sheds are more modern and we have more data at our fingertips than ever before.
Health checks for cows now simpler, faster, and tailored
At the heart of the SmaXtec system is the ability to monitor animal health, including early disease detection, alongside reproduction issues such as heat identification, optimal insemination windows, calving notifications-on average 15 hours before the eventalongside abortion detection and fertility issues.
Big return on a small investment
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Machinery & Products
Pro feeding robots to cut, load silage
While feeding dairy animals in New Zealand is largely centred around feed trailers, mixer wagons or baleage, one wonders whether there is a place for robotic feeders, particularly in South Island locations, where cows are housed during winter or full time.
Fliegl offers effluent solutions
Founded in Germany as recently as 1977, today, the Fliegl Group employs more than 1100 workers, offering an expansive range of transport solutions, from their base in Bavaria.
Case IH launches new Tier 3 Puma Tractor at Fieldays
Case IH is expanding its popular Puma range in New Zealand, with a new model that was released at Fieldays.
Massey Ferguson 8S tractor makes history in Morocco Desert Challenge
It seems that tractor manufacturers will go to great efforts to promote the versatility and durability of their offerings, a recent example being a Massey Ferguson with an 8S tractor entered into the Morocco Desert Challenge.
LDV unveils all-new Terron 9 Elite ute
As if there wasn’t enough choice in the New Zealand ute market, LDV New Zealand is expanding its offering, by showcasing the all-new Terron 9 Elite at Fieldays.
Motoring
Ford's new addition
Ford New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…
Jimny goes 5-door
Fifty years ago, Suzuki was a pioneer in developing a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fourwheel drive capability and…Big tick for a big truck
Electric cars and big American trucks can both bring a little anxiety, but for different reasons.RAM hits 20K!
In a market dominated by utes, Ram Trucks Australia has just put the finishing touches on its 20,000th right-hand drive…Fastest, most powerful Ram
RAM distributor Ateco has always made the point that they sell trucks that eat Utes for breakfast.» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Gaslight much?
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…
Our own 'Clarkson'
OPINION: The huge success of former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson's new TV show, Clarkson's Farm, and the boost it…
Milking It
Cuddling cows
OPINION: Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its…
Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content…
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Popular Reads
Open Country Dairy prepares to launch first commercial butter
The country's second largest milk processor hopes to produce its first commercial butter within two months.
'Grand Alliance' growing grass-fed beef exports to China
Alliance Group and Grand Farm have signed a strategic co-operation agreement with a focus on delivering more premium New Zealand…
Halter raises $165m, company valued at $1.65b
New Zealand tech company Halter has raised $165 million from investors in its latest fundraising round.
