Apple grower’s fears for the future
The apple and stonefruit growers involved in the judicial review of MPI destroying or containing 48,000 apple and stonefruit trees say there are significant questions over the basis of the MPI directive.
» Featured
PGW’s profit up, earnings down
Rural services company PGG Wrightson (PGW) has announced an increase in earnings but a drop in net profit in the year to the end of June.
US fruit growers take MPI to court
The Ministry for Primary Industries’ directive to contain or destroy tens of thousands of apple and stonefruit plants is ‘draconian’ and lacking common sense, say two US high-level industry players.
Good land, gone
Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman says urbanisation poses an enormous threat to Pukekohe, an important commercial growing region.
Will Leonie Guiney return?
Former Fonterra director Leonie Guiney says she is keeping her options open about contesting this year’s board elections.
National
Hill country going well
Beef + Lamb NZ director Kirsten Bryant is concerned about the perception that hill country farmers aren’t doing well.
Get used to higher costs of farming
On the increasing costs of farming in New Zealand, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says “get used to it”.
Farmers back NAIT changes
Farmers are backing the amended National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Act, passed under urgency this week by Parliament.
Farmers welcome Hurrell on Twittersphere
Fonterra farmers have been quick to offer their best wishes to newly-appointed interim chief executive Miles Hurrell.
World
US subsidies cause Aussie angst
Australian farmers are unhappy with the US Government’s US$12 billion in new subsidies to farmers caught up in trade wars…
Aussies get $500m extra drought relief
Drought-stricken New South Wales farmers are welcoming an extra A$500 million in state government aid. 99% of the state is…
Aussie farmers quietly confident
The new dairy season has just begun and there is already plenty to keep track of for Australian dairy farmers.
Oz milk yield up
Australian dairy farmers produced an estimated 650 million litres in March, an increase of 2% on March 2017.
Fodder crisis hits Irish dairy farmers
A fodder crisis is forcing Irish dairy farmers to buy feed from other farmers around the country.
Opinion
Break the ties that bind Fonterra — Editorial
Fonterra farmers have been unhappy with aspects of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) for some time.
Dwindling EU pest controls
Growing regulatory and political pressure for more sustainable agriculture in Europe is causing concern for local farmers.
Media spin could hit beef industry
OPINION: The media spin on the distribution of M. bovis infected herds in New Zealand and the origins of these…
Action groups offer great learning opportunities
Farmers should seize the opportunity to join a Red Meat Profit Partnership action group if they want to improve their…
Farm debt bill will be welcomed
The sound heard emanating from the provinces this past month is a collective sigh of relief for what promises to…
Agribusiness
Upskilling helps tackle HR issues
The 2007 national Farm Manager of the Year award winner Emily Woolsey (32) and her husband Daniel, of Southland, had…
Technology’s fast payback a big draw
More farmers are buying dairy technology that gives them a fast payback, says Waikato Milking Systems.
British seed breeder forges ahead in NZ
UK seed company Germinal’s plant breeding programme in New Zealand is progressing well, says general manager Sarah Gard.
In praise of top employers
The Government is backing moves to recognise and celebrate outstanding employers in the primary sector.
Dairy expertise could spin-off to plant protein
Expertise from the dairy manufacturing industry could be adapted to develop a new plant-based protein industry in New Zealand, says…
Management
Traditional path to farm ownership
Mike and Debi Fichtl, of South Waikato, believe farm ownership is still an admirable, and achievable aim.
Where valued staff call the shots
DairyNZ director Ben Allomes believes every day should be worker appreciation day.
Pasteuriser unit holds off disease
A large calf rearer has bought an $80,000 pasteurisation unit to protect his business from Mycoplasma bovis.
Aiming to improve farmers’ profit and environment
Lincoln University-owned research and development company Lincoln Agritech says dairy farmers might improve their environmental footprints and profit through two research projects now underway.
New research into leptospirosis
A New Zealand expert in leptospirosis says the disease appears to be becoming more ‘tropical’ in the way it is occurring in NZ.
Farm Health
Raising calves to full potential
In a three-part series, veterinarian Olivia Sutton, Vetlife Omaru, looks at optimising future heifers with calf rearing.
Don’t let weight loss post-calving break down cows
Early lactation weight loss is a normal biological process, but sometimes it can lead to Subclinical Ketosis and Clinical Ketosis.
Raising dairy industry’s next sires
At the back of Raglan Harbour, on the West Coast Peninsula, lies an influential New Zealand farm.
Safety around cows
Cows can be very protective of their calves and see people as a threat.
Campaign sets sights on BVD control
Dairy and beef farmers are being asked to help develop frameworks to control the disease bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD).
Machinery & Products
Valtra does it all
Graeme Savill's Valtra T174 has made a difference to his Bay of Plenty forestry contracting business since arriving in January and is handy on his dairy farm.
All-purpose machines
Massey Ferguson has launched three tractors in its new MF 6700 Global Series, soon to arrive in the Australian and New Zealand markets.
600 trailers rolled out weekly
Well known in Europe and the UK, Welsh trailer manufacturer Ifor Williams, is also building a reputation in New Zealand with distributors in both islands.
Cultivator suits tractors 75-130hp
Following the success of the Kuhn Cultimer L with three rows of tines, the company has launched the Cultimer M 300 for tractors of 75 to 135hp.
Canadians are good at off-road vehicles
With a history that dates back 75 years to its formation, and 20 years since it introduced its first quad, the Canadian company BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) knows off-road vehicles.
Motoring
Holden goes easy on fuel
Holden has released details of the first-ever diesel Commodore, launching it alongside the first diesel-powered version of the new medium-size…
Baby Ram no toddler!
The Ram 2500 and 3500 utes have a name for big load-carrying and towing capability but come with a hefty…
Outback front in the wagon wars
It's not hard to believe that the Subaru Outback accounts for about 45% of all the Subarus sold in New…
Toyota Fortuner is here!
Toyota’s Hilux-based Fortuner SUV line-up has had an aggressive upgrade in New Zealand with the addition of a TRD (Toyota…
She’s a truck; not a ute!
Prominently displayed at the Mercedes Benz site at Fieldays was a vehicle that gives merit to the saying ‘there’s plenty…
» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Hello John
With the surprise resignation of John Wilson, the Fonterra board has promoted long-time director John Monaghan as its new chair.
Bye John
The Hound notes the contribution of former Fonterra chair ‘Little’ Johnny Wilson, who has stood down from the role due…
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Popular Reads
Revamped Jimny takes on UTVs
The UTV is a workhorse on many rural properties, but the asking prices -- $15,000 to $30,000 -- cause some…
M. bovis hits more beef than dairy
More beef farms than dairy farms are now infected with the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, according to MPI figures.
M. bovis reaches Tasman district
A mixed sheep and beef farm near Motueka has been confirmed as the first Mycoplasma bovis infected farm in the…
Rural Life
Ozone in the vineyard
The word ozone conjures up images of big holes in the atmosphere, stronger UV light, the risk of severe sunburn…
Drones versus birds
Drones may soon be joining the armoury of weapons used to scare birds away from ripening grapes after a trial…
Boss woman has earned her stripes
Nicky Hutchinson “never dreamed” of becoming ‘The Boss’.