Wool’s smell may combat flystrike
An Australian research project has identified compounds in Merino sheep wool that are attractive to blowflies.
» Featured
Hilux upgrade scores well
In its first test in 2015 the eighth generation Toyota Hilux gained a 5-star ANCAP rating.
Holden ups the ante with latest Colarado ute
The latest Holden Colorado Z71 comes pretty close to perfection.
Swine fever a big threat to NZ pig industry
If African swine fever (ASF) hits New Zealand it will “absolutely and totally” obliterate our pork industry, says Freedom Farms general manager Hilary Pearson.
Research aims to assist M. bovis eradication
New research will determine if there is a better way of prioritising investigation of farms potentially infected with Mycoplasma bovis.
Small things make a big difference
Lamb daily growth rates on sheep farms in New Zealand are in a huge range — from as low as 80g to 350g or more per lamb per day.
Getting to the top of this range requires attention to detail.
National
Big grins as cheesemaker collect more medals
Not compromising on milk quality is the key to good cheesemaking, says the owner of award winning Grinning Gecko, Catherine McNamara
Dairy high-flyers switch to green
A prominent couple in New Zealand’s dairy industry are turning to plant-based protein for their next big venture.
Great leader retires at 41
The dairy industry must look forward continually to assess itself as fit for purpose – or not. So says retiring DairyNZ director Ben Allomes.
$35m rebate for fert co-op owners
Fertiliser co-op Ravensdown has posted a pre-tax profit and rebate of $52 million for the year ended May 31, 2019.
World
Fonterra’s Aussie struggles
Fonterra has told its Australian farmer suppliers that it remains committed to that market.
Govt stalled on quad rollers
Australian farmers are urging the Federal Government to enforce the fitting of operator protection devices (OPDs) to all new quads…
Youngsters the key to meet Oz farm labour needs
The Australian dairy industry will need 800 extra workers on farms by 2023.
Euro co-op’s profit jumps 19%
World-renowned dairy co-op FrieslandCampina has posted a half-year operating profit of $354 million.
More Euro cows enjoy sun, grass
More European dairy farmers are choosing to put their cows outdoors to graze.
Opinion
Farm levy/rebates way to go
An emissions trading scheme would not address the problem of agricultural emissions, said DairyNZ last week in its submission to…
Come clean now — Editorial
OPINION: Over the past week, Fonterra has been maligned by various commentators.
NZ’s agriculture GHG policy working against us
OPINION: New Zealand's Action on Agricultural emissions places us all in a very uncomfortable situation.
Don’t mention the ‘B’ word!
OPINION: You'd be forgiven if your eyes were starting to glaze over reading yet another Brexit headline, but we seem…
Sellouts? — Editorial
OPINION: Despite the much hyped claim by certain prophets about the ‘historic’ agreement between the farming sector and the Government…
Agribusiness
Easier milking, less labour costs
Easier milking and lower labour input appeal to the owners of a new rotary milking platform recently installed in Waipa…
Emissions trading tops farmers’ concerns
Climate change policy and the emissions trading scheme (ETS) are farmers’ biggest concerns.
Climate report gives much needed detail
The latest IPCC Special Report has the potential to turn the way we look at climate change on its head,…
Pay people better – O’Connor
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has urged growers to pay people better.
Miraka success story continues to grow
Māori-owned milk processor Miraka says it is experiencing growth in all international markets.
Management
Organic milk firm helps clean river
Lewis Road Creamery is moving to help a South Auckland community in its work to improve the health of a river.
A valuable, but poorly used resource
Bert Quin, managing director of Quin Environmentals, explains the benefits of chicken manure.
Ideas and expertise freely shared
Ideas are explored and expert resources shared freely at Red Meat Profit Partnership meetings.
Freedom farming more than words
Credibility and consumer appeal can depend on how you translate the five major points of animal welfare into action on farm, says Freedom Farms general manager Hilary Pearson.
Winter grazing: moving away from muddy cows
DairyNZ Director Ben Allomes says farmers need to change with the times and adopt practices that are good for their animals and the environment.
Farm Health
Wool’s smell may combat flystrike
An Australian research project has identified compounds in Merino sheep wool that are attractive to blowflies.
Small things make a big difference
Lamb daily growth rates on sheep farms in New Zealand are in a huge range — from as low as 80g to 350g or more per lamb per day.
Getting to the top of this range requires attention to detail.
Swine fever a big threat to NZ pig industry
If African swine fever (ASF) hits New Zealand it will “absolutely and totally” obliterate our pork industry, says Freedom Farms general manager Hilary Pearson.
Trace mineral products — spoilt for choice?
What should you keep in mind when choosing trace mineral products? Greg Jarratt, vet and director of Matamata Veterinary Services explains.
Feed stock properly
In this season we are again asking a lot of our stock, writes Julie Wagner, Ravensdown animal health product manager.
Machinery & Products
JD updates 6R Series
John Deere's updated line-up of 6R Series tractors (110-250hp) includes the 6110R, 6120R, 6130R, 6145R, 6155R, 6175R, 6195R, 6215R, 6230R and 6250R.
New baler/wrapper launched
Two new machines from John Deere increase their offering in the grass harvesting sector.
Kubota gets closer to the big league
Kubota is busy shedding its image of being only a maker of compact or municipal tractors.
Battery-powered tractors still a way off
The likelihood of electric or hybrid powered farm tractors still appears a long way off.
Motoring
Hilux upgrade scores well
In its first test in 2015 the eighth generation Toyota Hilux gained a 5-star ANCAP rating.
Holden ups the ante with latest Colarado ute
The latest Holden Colorado Z71 comes pretty close to perfection.
Pajero Sport refreshed for 2020
Mitsubishi has released details of its new Pajero Sport SUV scheduled to arrive here late in 2019.
Yank tank makes it hard to go back
Once you go large it’s hard to go back to regular, goes the old saying.
It’s a family affair
How does the Aussie Holden SUV range handle the modern Kiwi family lifestyle? We found out...
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The Hound
No idea!
This old mutt was flabbergasted at the reaction by some mainstream (lamestream) media to the news that Todd Muller would…
Good point
A mate of the Hound’s, recently back home in Wakefield, Nelson following a month in Christchurch for medical treatment, reckons…
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Popular Reads
Fonterra bombshell: $675m loss looms, no dividend
Fonterra is signalling a full-year loss of up to $675 million for 2018-19.
Aussie farmers desert Fonterra
Fonterra is facing a backlash from Australian farmer suppliers worried that the co-op could pull out of the extremely challenging…
Winter grazing: moving away from muddy cows
DairyNZ Director Ben Allomes says farmers need to change with the times and adopt practices that are good for their…
Rural Life
New machinery for the vineyard
Mark Daniel on what's new in machinery for the vineyard.
New Holland launches Braud 9000 series grape harvesters
New Holland Agriculture has introduced the new Braud 9000 series to its portfolio of self-propelled grape harvesters, with the 9090L…
Collaboration increases capability
Initially designed to assist fertiliser spreading trucks operating on steep New Zealand hill country, TracMap’s GPS guidance and job management…