Crisp future ahead for NZ’s horticultural sector – exporter
Horticulture is “on the boom,” says Freshco director John Mangan.
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Milestone for Ahuwhenua
Next month will see the first finalists competing for the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy in horticulture announced at Parliament.
New levy to hit farmers
The New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) is up in arms about a proposed new safety levy.
Safety mindset must change
WorkSafe NZ is calling on farmers and other rural businesses to treat health and safety as more than a compliance issue.
Military man marches into rural leadership role
A Northland man with an extensive and high profile military career will take over the NZ Rural Leadership Trust in May.
Milk price may go higher
Dry weather around New Zealand could restrict milk supply and squeeze global dairy prices higher, says Westpac’s senior economist Michael Gordon.
National
Fonterra offloads DFE Pharma, bags $550m
Fonterra is receiving a $550 million cash boost following the sale of its 50% stake in pharmaceutical maker, DFE Pharma.
$8 payout possible
The guessing game has begun to predict what dairy farmers will get for their milk this season.
Farm sales start to look up
Farm sales were down 21.6% for the three months ended December 2019 versus the year prior — but sales look to be lifting.
Nominations open for Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award
Nominations are being called for the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award.
World
Oz farmers need support
Australian dairy farmers need support to stay farming as bush fire destruction comes on top of drought woes, says an…
Tip Top’s owner pays $6b for US ice cream business
The new owner of Tip Top Ice Cream, Froneri is paying over $6 billion for Nestle’s US ice cream business.Chinese giant makes Aussie move
Chinese dairy giant Mengniu has become one of Australia’s major dairy processors with a brace of recent purchases.US milk giant goes bung
America's biggest milk producer, Dean Foods, has filed for bankruptcy and is planning to sell assets.Wood, sugarcane packs for milk
Australia's oldest dairy company will be selling milk and other products in renewable cartons from next month.Opinion
Soil properties critical when applying effluent
Soil properties should be weighed up when applying effluent, explains Bala Tikkisetty, sustainable agriculture advisor (technical) at Waikato Regional Council.
Let’s be fair to farmers — Editorial
Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa has made no new friends in the dairy sector with its farcical display…2020 the year of ‘New-Gen’ ag
Could 2020 be the year of New Zealand ‘generative agriculture’?Wairarapa PGF water funding “outstanding news”
Farmers have welcomed the Provincial Growth Fund’s decision to put $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa.Cloud in sector’s silver lining — Editorial
OPINION: High farm debt levels have cast a shadow over the Ministry for Primary Industry's positive predictions for agriculture in…Agribusiness
No more coal-fired boilers
Canterbury-based Synlait Milk has reaffirmed its policy of building no more coal-fired boilers, with the official opening of the country’s…
Synlait unveils tree-planting scheme
Synlait Milk is establishing an industrial-scale native plant nursery at its Dunsandel headquarters as the centrepiece of a wide-ranging environmental…Farmlands quits real estate
Farmlands cooperative has sold its nationwide real estate business to the Property Brokers chain.A year of rebuilding for OSPRI
This past year for OSPRI has seen rebuilding.Govt approves $80m for Lincoln rebuild
Lincoln University says it is delighted that the Minister of Education has approved $80 million for new science facilities as…Management
Robotic milker now comes with heat detector
Delaval says its latest addition to the VMS product line, the new V310 detects heat and pregnancy automatically during the milking process.
Ageing liners trigger BMCC blowouts
A dairy farmer’s first and best defence against mastitis and teat-end damage comes down to one decision.
Do you need an upgrade?
Dairy infrastructure can have a major impact on milking efficiency and the comfort of cows and milkers, says DairyNZ.
Take control of your cup removers
Malfunctioning cup removers in the milk shed can be a major issue, just ask Gordonton farmers John and Sandra Shewan.
Gong for working with nature
A Leeston dairy farmer’s adoption of regenerative agriculture has won him North Canterbury Fish & Game’s Working with Nature Award for 2019.
Farm Health
Good weather, negative blood test results bring joy to farm
The sun is out again for Southland bull beef farmers Ben Walling and Sarah Flintoft, who started the year in the fear of being struck down with Mycoplasma bovis for a second time.
Keeping your farm protected
Biosecurity isn't just about border control at the airport or ports, writes Nita Harding, DairyNZ technical policy advisor.
Oral-free rams sell well
Prices were up on average $400 at the 30th Annual Kikitangeo Romney stud ram sale.
Closer ties between farmers strengthen traceability
Better communication between dairy and beef farmers can strengthen animal traceability and disease management, claims a Bay of Plenty farmer.
Trial aimed at reducing lamb drenching
A product that could reduce the need for anthelmintics during lamb weaning has received government funding for a trial.
Machinery & Products
Electric ATV of the future
The look of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) hasn’t really changed over the years, but CF Moto recently gave the market a glimpse of where things might be heading.
SP sprayer by any name
Amazone suggests its new FT1502 front-mounted auxiliary tank can turn any modern tractor into a state-of-the-art spray rig at a fraction of the cost of a trailed or self-propelled unit.
Kuhn’s Elite cutter-bar
Kuhn has announced the release of the new Optidisc Elite cutter-bar for selected Kuhn GMD mowers and FC mower conditioners.
Pocket-size inspection light
As small as a pen, so easily popped into a shirt pocket, the new Narva LED Pen Light packs a powerful lighting punch.
Bale feeding made easier
Hustler Equipment is well known for its range of chainless bale feeders.
Motoring
Holden on the road for summer
In a move to demonstrate the capability of its vehicles, Holden recently put the talk to one side and ‘walked…
Navara’s mid-life make over
Midway through its product life cycle the Nissan Navara has had a cosmetic makeover and some upgraded technology.Colorado gets enhanced content
The Holden Colorado Z71 will be seen with new features when the 2020 model arrives at dealerships in November.New entry level model for Hilux
Toyota New Zealand has broadened its Hilux range with a new entry level two-wheel drive, the WorkMate, aimed at buyers…New wagon a little different
Subaru's latest SUV offering fills a need for drivers looking for something smaller and a little more potent than your…» The RNG Weather Report
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The Hound
Appropriate
Your canine crusader reckons it is ironic – and highly appropriate – that Shane Jones’ $3 billion electoral slush fund…
Funny names
Over the years, a mate of the Hound’s has always been quick to point out to him people in roles…
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Popular Reads
Government moves into halal accreditation
State-owned food certifier AsureQuality is stepping into halal audit and accreditation.
Fonterra offloads DFE Pharma, bags $550m
Fonterra is receiving a $550 million cash boost following the sale of its 50% stake in pharmaceutical maker, DFE Pharma.
Honour well deserved, say sharemilkers
The New Zealand order of merit awarded to Tirau farmer Tony Wilding in the New Years Honours List has been…
Rural Life
Mechanisation new for the US
The impetus behind developing the Klima stripper back in 2007 was a continual lack of labour during the pruning season.
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…