» Featured

National

World

Opinion

Trust Can Only Be Earned

OPINION: Yep, the stories just keep on coming. I haven’t noted any sign of them drying up yet, no let-up…

Editorial: The Price of Progress

OPINION: Alistair Carmichael raises some interesting questions about striking a balance between profitability in farming and preserving the character of…

Agribusiness

Andy Macfarlane Joins AgriZeroNZ Board

Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development…

Management

Sharemilkers Credit DairyBase Tool for Staffing Decisions

Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.

Farm Health

Three Pillars of BVD Control

Solid biosecurity practices, regular monitoring and timely vaccination are the three key pillars of effective Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) control on New Zealand farms. Zoetis veterinary technical advisor, Karley DeFrees, explains BVD is a costly but preventative disease that impacts a significant number of dairy farms in New Zealand. Implementation of a BVD control plan can help protect your herd from this avoidable disease.

Clostridial Disease in Lambs: NZ Vaccination Guide

Although preventable, lamb loss from clostridial diseases during the first year of life on New Zealand hill country farms continues to be an issue. A field trial, where lambs were vaccinated at docking and weaning, demonstrated that vaccination was highly effective, lowering clostridial deaths by 23%. Zoetis veterinarian Dr Victoria Chapman unpacks the importance of robust animal health programmes, vaccination timing and the potential harmful consequences for stock when vaccination isn't given.

BVD Control in Dairy Herds: How to Find & Remove PI Animals

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is estimated to cost New Zealand's dairy and beef industries more than $150 million every year, yet many of the tools needed to control it are already well understood. After more than 25 years in veterinary practice, Andrew Weir, animal health technical specialist at LIC, has seen firsthand the impact BVD can have on herd performance. We asked him about the role of persistently infected (PI) animals and the practical steps farmers can take to reduce their risk.

Machinery & Products

Motoring

Kia Tasman ute launches in NZ

Stepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just…

Ford's new addition

Ford New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…

Jimny goes 5-door

Fifty years ago, Suzuki was a pioneer in developing a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fourwheel drive capability and…

 

 

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

True Reflection?

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any…

Civil Circus!

OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…

Milking It

Irish Dilemma

OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.

Beef Cows To The Rescue

OPINION: Could beef cows play an increasingly important role in improving profitability and resilience on hill country farms?

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Popular Reads