China lockdowns hit dairy demand
Covid restrictions in China are likely to slightly dampen milk powder imports into that country, according to Stefan Vogel, Rabobank research general manager for Australia and New Zealand.
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Katie Milne eyes WFO presidency
West Coast dairy farmer Katie Milne is vying for the presidency of the World Farmers' Organisation (WFO).
Former DairyNZ regional leader joins ag consultancy
Dairy professional Rob Brazendale has joined Perrin Ag as the consultancy firm looks to strengthen its support of farmers and growers.
Battle of wearables
It was the battle of the wearables at the recent Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm Focus Day with presentations of three different electronic monitoring and management systems.
Who dares wins
In a move that reminded everyone of the SAS motto, 'Who dares wins', Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor and industry leaders met at MilkTest NZ's Hamilton facility to announce a significant milestone in the efforts to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis.
Co-op rolls out e-commerce site
Fonterra Ingredients business has launched a new global e-commerce website for customers.
National
Double whammy for dairy goat farmers
Dairy goat farmers are facing a double whammy: a sharp drop in milk payout and reduced quota to supply the country's sole processor.
Feds stalwart to step down
Outspoken Federated Farmers leader Chris Lewis is stepping down from the farmer lobby after 17 years of service.
New season milk price forecast up in the air
Successive drops in global dairy prices mean the next season's opening milk price forecast is being trimmed back.
Payout trimmed as prices tumble
A record milk payout for this season remains on the cards - but breaking the $10/kgMS ceiling will be a stretch.
World
Arla joins trials to reduce emissions
European dairy co-operative Arla Foods has become the second global milk processor to trial the methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer.
EU co-op to trial methane reducing feed additive
European dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina is trialling a feed additive that is said to reduce methane emissions from cows by 30%.Arla beats Covid, posts solid result
European co-operative Arla Food reported a solid performance in 2021 despite continued disruptions from the pandemic and high inflation.Arla invests in solar power
European dairy giant Arla Foods will be using solar energy to meet one-third of its electricity consumption within two years.Australian trucking industry has the blues
The Australian Trucking Association is flashing its headlights to warn of a worsening situation with supplies of Diesel Exhaust Fluid…Opinion
Seeking better outcomes for farmers and NZ
OPINION: DairyNZ is fighting for an emissions pricing solution that's fair and ensures you can continue running profitable and sustainable…
Death and taxes the only answer!
OPINION: In the past several months, three separate articles have appeared purporting to explain the current situation in New Zealand…Editorial: A sick joke!
OPINION: When the Covid pandemic broke out over two years ago, Jacinda Ardern waxed lyrical about the importance of the…Years of methane chicanery
OPINION: The passage of time has taught me that most people have been so bombarded with climate change stories and…Stop restricting food production
OPINION: Under the Paris Accord on climate change, Article 2 (b) states:Agribusiness
Helping feed the needy
New Zealand generated 571,000 tonnes of food waste annually - including residential and commercial food waste.
State help for coal project
Ravensdown is getting government co-funding to install a biomass combustor at its Dipton lime quarry.Tunnel houses to teach children food production
Rabobank has donated tunnel houses to eight primary schools from across the Southland region as part of an initiative to…Dairy commodity price rises drive increase in March exports
The value of total good exports rose strongly in March, driven by increases in dairy products, beef, and aluminium, Stats…Demand remains strong
Dairy Farmgate milk prices have followed commodity prices higher worldwide, with some potential upside in some regions.Management
Talking about things a must
Farmers in New Zealand have to be prepared for anything – from the ever-changing weather to issues with stock, crops and machinery.
Turning theory into practicality
Kirstin Deuss believes the findings of her research work into soil drainage in Southland will have benefits for other parts of New Zealand as well.
Passion for NZ sheep farming
When Brazilian Dayanne Almeida chose to move to New Zealand, it was our sheep farming expertise that attracted her.
Don't forget the internet
It's coming around quickly again: Moving Day.
Stock must be fit to travel
Moving Day is the busiest time of the year for livestock movements.
Farm Health
'Pig' of a new welfare code
NZ's pig farming sector believes if a new draft welfare code for pigs is adopted it could spell the end of the country's pork industry.
Top cow fetches $27,500!
The Legacy Sale, dedicated to family and destined to give back, has done just that.
Discovery Project keeps on giving
A joint venture between Holstein Friesian NZ and LIC is going strong 18 years after it was established with another six Holstein Friesian bulls being accepted into the LIC Sire Proving Scheme for the 2022-23 season.
Hogget lambs - keep or quit?
Should twins born to ewe hoggets and grown out to heavy weights be retained as replacements and mated as ewe lambs?
Combined voice
The two associations representing NZ's crop protection and animal health industries will merge this month.
Machinery & Products
A new approach to apprenticeships
By taking a new approach to its apprenticeship programme, agricultural equipment supplier Norwood says it is ensuring farmers’ machinery will be supported in the future, while also bringing a wider range of people into the industry.
Hands no longer needed for headland turns
A software update for Valtra tractors combines Auto U-Pilot headland management and Valtra Guide automated steering to help deliver automated headland turns.
Buck-Rake does the job
With many self-propelled forage harvester manufacturers offering machines hitting 1000hp, the bottleneck in any harvesting system is always likely to be at the clamp.
Simple but effective
Sometimes the simplest solutions can deliver much better results.
Pigtail standards made to last
Feedback from farmers highlighted frustration at the time and cost involved in frequently replacing failed pigtail posts.
Motoring
LDV electric ute breaks cover
While there seems to be a feeding frenzy for hybrid or electric cars of late, there’s no such madness for…
New-look 'Step-Thru'
Remarkably there are still many of the venerable Honda step-throughs operating on rural properties throughout New Zealand.Safari on a Trek to NZ
Exclusive to the New Zealand market and available in limited supply, the Suzuki Jimny Safari adds to an already versatile…A price saving proposition
A bit like Vegemite, the first impression raised when you encounter a Mahindra Pik Up is love or hate –…Updated Navara ute bolder and more refined
The most obvious change to the updated Nissan Navara is the bold, almost American, styling.» The RNG Weather Report
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The Hound
Say what?
OPINION: This old mutt almost choked while chewing his bone when he happened upon the latest politically-correct advice that’s been…
Why bother?
OPINION: A mate of the Hound’s recently applied for membership with Ashburton-based farm supply co-operative Ruralco.
Milking It
Caught in space
California cow burps are now officially detectable from space.
Load of bull!
OPINION: Greenpeace boss and former Green Party leader Russell Norman claims there are about ten million beef and dairy cattle…
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Popular Reads
No boat to China
Some 300 farmers around the country - supplying 12,000 dairy cattle for export to China have been left hundreds of…
Report claims Fonterra farmers would be the losers
Fonterra's planned capital restructure could see the co-operative's share price slump to $2/share - shaving $4 billion off the shareholders'…
McDonalds proves healthy for NZ farm produce
Fast food chain McDonald's spent nearly $500 million on New Zealand agriculture products last year.