Meat plant closure confirmed, hundreds of workers to be laid off
As expected, Alliance Group will close its Smithfield meat processing plant in Timaru, South Canterbury, making hundreds of workers redundant.
» Featured
Cultivating successful cow families
Michael and Cherie Berkers’ Holstein Friesian herd exemplifies how breeders can consistently develop successful cow families by seizing opportunities for improvement year after year.
NZ invokes mandatory talks to settle dairy dispute
A dairy quota dispute between New Zealand and Canada is heading to mandatory negotiations.
Boost for NZ, Nordic Jerseys genetic link
A new collaboration is underway to improve the genetic links between the New Zealand and Nordic Jersey cattle populations.
Rare species discovered at stream restoration site
Rare Canterbury mudfish and tadpole shrimp have been discovered at an environmental restoration site at Bennetts Stream in North Canterbury which is part of a biodiversity initiative being carried out by Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Southland farmers want Fish & Game reprimanded
Southland farmers want the Government to strip Fish & Game of their advocacy function and refocus the organisation on the management of hunting and fishing.
National
Cast your votes, dairy farmers urged
Levy-paying dairy farmers are being reminded that they only have a few days left to vote in DairyNZ’s board of directors’ election.
AR37 scientist scoops award
A scientist instrumental in the development and commercialisation of the novel endophyte AR37 scooped the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science and Research Award at Beef + Lamb NZ Awards last night.
Love for choc milk still strong
Premium dairy brand Lewis Road Creamery is celebrating a decade since the country went crazy for its iconic fresh chocolate milk.
An ambition within reach
A couple closing in on their ultimate farming dream is taking the first steps of another farming ambition – to own a line of registered pedigree Holstein Friesians.
World
Arla targets $25b in total revenue
European dairy co-operative Arla Foods is forecasting a total revenue of nearly $25 billion this year.
Japan hungry for high value Fonterra dairy ingredients
Fonterra was part of a recent New Zealand business delegation to Japan, a market that is one of the co-operative's…Time to bridge the digital gap between rural and urban - FAO
The director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says the UN has a role to…Election most important for British farming - NFU
As Britain heads to the polls on 4 July, the UK’s National Farmer’s Union (NFU) has come out in full…Benefits of EU trade deal
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant…Opinion
Keeping all energy sources intact
OPINION: We all need energy to live the lives that we aspire to.
Editorial: Testing times
OPINION: Our hearts go out to the farmers and rural communities in Southland and Otago who are battling an onslaught…Be an investor, not a landlord
OPINION: New Zealanders have a love affair with property investment. After securing a family home, buying a rental property is…Feed efficiency or curbing methane?
OPINION: Evolution is important. So is feeding people properly.Editorial: Smithfield closure just the start?
OPINION: Rural New Zealand has been taking some very big hits of late. The latest of these, the closure of…Agribusiness
Capture your love for farming in a photo and win!
BASF New Zealand is launching its inaugural Biggest AgriPhoto Competition, inviting Kiwi farmers and rural communities from across the country…
Helping small herd owners smash challenging issues
Anna Kalma is Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH’s) national coordinator and has seen it all in her time on…Rabobank cuts loan rate
Rabobank New Zealand will reduce the variable base rate on its rural loans by 0.5%, effective from 16 October 2024.New seed ordering feature for farmers
Farmers and growers can now easily manage their seed requirements thanks to a pioneering FarmlandsPRO feature launched by Farmlands.B+LNZ gets new CEO
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has appointed Alan Thomson as its new chief executive officer.Management
Rare species discovered at stream restoration site
Rare Canterbury mudfish and tadpole shrimp have been discovered at an environmental restoration site at Bennetts Stream in North Canterbury which is part of a biodiversity initiative being carried out by Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Working together, leading change
A group of Canterbury farmers who work together exploring the various uses of liquid injection systems on their seed drills was the worthy winner of the Working Together Award at the recent 2024 Arable Awards, says the group’s FAR Facilitator.
Powering farmers to tackle worm challenges on farm
The worm challenge for sheep and beef farmers is increasing as the warm, moist weather of spring and early summer arrives.
Will silver turn to gold for state farmer?
Tucked away in a remote part of the central North Island, staff at a Pāmu (Landcorp) farm are working hard to solve one of the biggest challenges facing the dairy and beef sectors.
SMASH launches survey on farm ownership
Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) needs your help.
Farm Health
Cultivating successful cow families
Michael and Cherie Berkers’ Holstein Friesian herd exemplifies how breeders can consistently develop successful cow families by seizing opportunities for improvement year after year.
Boost for NZ, Nordic Jerseys genetic link
A new collaboration is underway to improve the genetic links between the New Zealand and Nordic Jersey cattle populations.
Improving lamb survival rates
Improving lamb survival rates is a key focus for New Zealand farmers, especially this time of year.
The gold standard for beef calves
Major steps are underway to improve the quality of dairy beef calves.
Using sexed semen on elite cows
As demand for sexed semen soars, CRV is encouraging dairy farmers to take full advantage of it by using it on the top quartile of their herds.
Machinery & Products
A formidable duo for tillage
The new Lemken Solitair MR series mounted drills, available in three or four metre working widths, features a 1500-litre tank, which is suitable for fertiliser even in its basic configuration.
When compaction is a good thing
Good silage starts by cutting the crop at the correct growth stage, followed by reducing moisture content, chopping to a consistent length, then stacking in a clamp.
Kverneland upgrades baler, sets wrapping record
The Kverneland Group has announced several upgrades to its round baler ranges for 2025, much of it centred around automation, as well as the ability to wrap bales with film rather than net.
New F5 balers from McHale
Irish grassland machinery manufacturer McHale has unveiled the new four-model range of F5 fixed chamber balers.
Fencing industry’s cream of the crop
The recent Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) Industry Awards recognises and acknowledges those who exemplify the mission of raising the profile of fencing as a professional trade, delivering high quality work, and adhering to best practice standards.
Motoring
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.Kiwi fave goes green
A firm favourite of rural families and those seeking to get off the beaten track, Subaru has announced the introduction…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Trump tariffs
OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.
Air Miles
OPINION: The latest travel receipts for MPs are in (April – June 2024).
Milking It
Tatua's just too-good
OPINION: Earlier this month, small Waikato milk processor Tatua reminded the country that it’s still number one when it comes…
China's dairy pain
OPINION: It was only in 2018 that the Chinese Government embarked on a mission to lift domestic milk production and…
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Popular Reads
'Time to hand over the baton'
Waikato farmer Jim van der Poel’s foray into dairy industry governance began 25 years ago with a bang.
Declining sheep numbers the last straw for plant closure
Meat company Alliance says declining stock numbers in New Zealand were the primary driver behind the closure of its Smithfield…
Sheep farmers must learn from downturn, embrace changes
The sheepmeat sector would be wise to reflect and learn from the present downturn and embrace change needed to deliver…
