Federated Farmers Welcomes ACT’s New Farming Policies
Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.
» Featured
Agricultural Vehicle Rule Changes Welcomed by Rural Contractors NZ
Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government to out of date regulations which have seen members hit with huge fines.
Final call for Alliance’s 2027 Graduate Programme
Alliance is calling for final applications for its 2027 Graduate Programme, with applications closing on Sunday 25 October.
Welding Safety on Farms: One Farmer’s Burns Lesson
Decades piloting planes has ensured vet and farmer David Hayes is focused on safety. So, after a serious accident while welding on farm, he is sharing his experience so others can learn from it.
Leon Fung confirmed as Synlait CEO
Canterbury milk processor, Synlait Milk has confirmed Leon Fung as its chief executive officer.
Editorial: Making Water Storage Easy
OPINION: Making it easier to collect rainwater and use it to grow crops and livestock is a no brainer.
National
Rural Waste Sorted NZ: New Farm Waste Website Launches
Farmers are being encouraged to rethink how they manage waste on farm with the launch of ruralwastesorted.co.nz, a new website bringing together practical tips, real farmer experiences and resources.
India FTA Removes 33% Tariff on NZ Sheepmeat
New Zealand’s red meat sector has welcomed the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement taking effect, which removes India’s 33% tariff on New Zealand sheepmeat.
NZ Forestry Exports to India Now Tariff Free
More than 95 per cent of New Zealand’s forestry and wood exports to India can now enter tariff free as the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement comes into force today.
Federated Farmers Backs Year 11 Agricultural Science
Federated Farmers is backing Feilding High School’s call to keep Agriculture and Horticultural Science as a standalone subject in Year 11.
World
Dawn Meats acquires German distributor Alexander Eyckeler GmbH
Irish meat processor Dawn Meats has acquired Alexander Eyckeler GmbH, a long-standing German customer and partner of Alliance Group, for…
Fertiliser Prices Surge as FAO Flags Global Food Security Risks
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has issued a stark warning about the global implications of…Arla Foods delivers $15b revenue as Co-op turns 25
European dairy giant Arla Foods celebrated its 25th anniversary as a cross-border, farmer-owned co-operative with a solid half-year result.Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accord
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows…NZ–Canada dairy trade dispute resolved
The long running trade dispute between NZ and Canada appears to be over.Opinion
What the 2026 Election Means for Rural Landowners
OPINION: The farm policy on the table this election, what it could mean for land, and why the market you're…
Who Decides Farming's Future?
OPINION: Most farmers know which company collects their milk, processes their meat, supplies their fertiliser or lends them money. But…Vote 2026: Finding the Adult in the Room
OPINION: Being the father of four, children’s books from our local library were regularly at our place.Editorial: Making Water Storage Easy
OPINION: Making it easier to collect rainwater and use it to grow crops and livestock is a no brainer.Sensible Choices About Water
OPINION: Rivers never sit still. They start as snowmelt and rain in the high country, pick up a creek here…Agribusiness
Final call for Alliance’s 2027 Graduate Programme
Alliance is calling for final applications for its 2027 Graduate Programme, with applications closing on Sunday 25 October.
Welding Safety on Farms: One Farmer’s Burns Lesson
Decades piloting planes has ensured vet and farmer David Hayes is focused on safety. So, after a serious accident while…Fonterra CFO Andrew Murray Resigns
Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.Breckenridge to Lead Lactalis Australia
Global dairy giant Lactalis has integrated its Australian operations with the Mainland Dairy consumer business it acquired from Fonterra earlier…NZ Beef’s US Opportunity and the Dairy Beef Initiative
Good medium to long term prospects for NZ beef, especially in the US, has heighted the focus on various initiatives…Management
White Clover: Free Nitrogen as Urea Prices Climb
Growing great pasture this season doesn’t have to break the bank.
Subsoiling vs Drainage: Fixing Wet Paddocks This Spring
As we move further into spring, decisions are being made about working land for cropping, as daytime and ground temperatures increase.
Sharemilkers Aaron and Marcia Flay Buy Their First Farm
After almost two decades of sharemilking, saving and building equity, Aaron and Marcia Flay this year realised their long-held dream of settling on their first dairy farm.
Taniwha Station: The Bull Beef Farm Famed for Daffodils
South of the central Hawke’s Bay town of Waipukurau is Taniwha Station – a highly successful 550ha bull beef farming operation.
Catch the Rain: B+LNZ Trials Boost Soil Infiltration
Beef + Lamb NZ funded research has shown that some simple changes to pasture management could help farmers make better use of rainfall and build resilience before dry conditions hit.
Farm Health
Should You Drench Your Ewes at Tail Docking?
With ewes and lambs coming to the yards at tail docking, it's tempting to drench the ewes 'while they're here'. Wormwise vet Mary Bowron urges farmers to consider the variables before getting out the drench gun. Do ewes actually need a drench at tail docking? Well, it depends.
Early Weaning Lambs: What the Massey Trials Found
Farmers with high-quality feed available in late spring could consider weaning at least a proportion of their lamb crop early to benefit both lambs and ewes.
Pāmu Silver Stabilizer Dairy Beef Genetics Open to Farmers
A major move is about to get underway to improve the quality and viability of dairy beef and cattle in NZ.
Vets Back Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare Changes: NZVA
Veterinarians say changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle provides a positive foundation for improved cattle welfare across the country.
Dry Cow Therapy: New Vet Guidance for NZ Dairy From 2027
For years, New Zealand’s dairy sector has been moving towards more selective use of antibiotics at dry-off, yet blanket dry cow therapy (DCT) – treating every cow in the herd with antibiotics, regardless of her individual infection status – has persisted on some farms.
Machinery & Products
Massey Ferguson to Add Compact Tractors in ITL partnership
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
Case IH Wins EIMA Award for Optum Suspension System
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
Agrifac Hybrid Sprayer Expected to Cut Fuel Use by 35%
Becoming the norm in the automobile industry, but much less so in agriculture, Dutch self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Agrifac has developed a diesel-electric version of its Vanguard 55.
MF 7S Mark 2: New 170-245hp Tractor Range Unveiled
Building on the success of the existing Massey Ferguson 7S series, ahead of the upcoming EIMA Show, the manufacturer has announced the arrival of its new MF 7S MARK 2 range, offering six choices from 170 to 245hp, positioned between the current MF 7S and the MF 8S Xtra series.
Pichon Adds SV10R and SV14 to SV Slurry Tanker Range
French manufacturer Pichon has expanded its SV slurry tanker range with the launch of two new models.
Motoring
Foton Launches Tunland V Series Ute Range in New Zealand
Foton has returned to the New Zealand light commercial vehicle market with the launch of the all-new Tunland V Series…
Subaru New Zealand Unveils All-Electric Trailseeker SUV Ahead of September 2026 Launch
Subaru New Zealand has announced the all-new, all-electric Trailseeker will join its SUV line-up in September 2026.Toyota Hilux Celebrates 50 Years in New Zealand with New BEV Model
Since arriving on New Zealand’s shores in 1976, the Hilux has been seen of farms, building sites and back roads,…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…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
'LinkedIn Greens'
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
UK Warning
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
Milking It
Not Out of the Woods Yet
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
Peters Targets Fonterra
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
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Ex-All Black Sam Whitelock Swaps Rugby for Dairy Farming
Returning to the family dairy farm after playing 20 years of professional rugby around the world is no easy task.
LIC Elects New Board Member, Reports Strong FY25/26 Result
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder…
Synlait FY26 Result: $75.4m Loss, Second-Half Profit
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
