Sheep & Beef Farm Conversion to Forestry Slows, Risk Remains
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
» Featured
Editorial: RSE Review - A Timely Move
OPINION: A simpler, clearer, more effective Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
Farmers Miss Out on Fuel Excise Refunds, Says Farm Focus
Too many farmers put reclaiming excise duty on petrol into the "too-hard" basket, says farm accounting software provider, Farm Focus.
Tatua Chair Stephen Allen Retires After 30 Years of Service
Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company has confirmed that chair and director Stephen Allen will retire at the co-operative's annual general meeting (AGM) on 3 December 2026, ending 30 years of service, including more than 20 years as Chair.
PCE: Treat Environmental Data as Critical Infrastructure
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, wants environmental information to be treated as critical national infrastructure.
Morrinsville Business Marks 30 Years With Bull Sculpture
A Morrinsville business celebrating its 30th birthday has shaken up the street scene in the Waikato township.
National
No Party Has an Organics Policy, OANZ Warns Ahead of Vote
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) spent two days in Wellington last week meeting political parties and key stakeholders to press the case for a National Organic Policy and dedicated investment.
Ravensdown Returns to Profit, Approves $15/Tonne Shareholder Rebate
Ravensdown has reported a net profit before tax and rebate of $50.1 million for the year ended 31 May 2026.
Mark Patterson Promotes NZ Wool at India's Bharat Textile Expo
Just a matter of hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic trip to New Zealand, the political doors in India swung wide open for Associate Minister of Agriculture, Mark Patterson, who was there to help promote our high-quality coarse wool.
New Company ASTEC to Supply Asparagopsis Seaweed for Methane Research
A new company set up to cultivate and supply seaweed for animal methane mitigation studies believes it could be a game changer for the dairy industry.
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
Why NZ's Transport Network Is Key to Food and Fibre Exports
OPINION: As a country that prides itself on being a trading nation, New Zealand's transport infrastructure has a critical role…
Time for Reality, Not Fantasy Scenarios
OPINION: Back in April, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered an update that should have triggered an 8.5 magnitude…One and One Don't Make Three
OPINION: Since when did one and one make three? Who didn't smell an elephant-sized rat when our leaders decided to…Editorial: RSE Review - A Timely Move
OPINION: A simpler, clearer, more effective Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.Editorial: Punching Above Our Weight
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.Agribusiness
Halter Names Six Winners in Biggest One Year Free Yet
Halter has announced the six winners of its 2026 One Year Free competition, marking the biggest year yet for the…
UK Politician Alistair Carmichael Praises "Positive Spirit" of NZ Farmers
A leading British farming politician says he's impressed with the positive attitude of New Zealand farmers that he met during…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…The Banker Who Still Farms: Cameron Reed's Two Worlds
Cameron Reed lives between two worlds.Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health…Management
Calf Shed Design: What Farmers Need to Get Right
Clean and comfortable calf sheds help create a nurturing environment for calves, reduces the risk of disease and encourages high growth rates.
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.
Campaign Urges Growers to Plan Ahead on Resistance
Growers and farmers are being encouraged to have an important conversation before the coming season starts: how to prolong the effectiveness of the crop protection tools they rely on.
Ballance Launches AI Assistant for Fertiliser Ordering
A new digital assistant is now helping Ballance Agri-Nutrients farmers speed up nutrient information and ordering.
Aimer Farming Launches Satellite Pasture Monitoring Tool
Farmers can now get a more reliable view of pasture covers across their farm, thanks to a combination of three data sources.
Farm Health
Calf Rearing Facilities: Housing, Spacing & Hygiene Guide
Rearing facilities should be set up and maintained well to ensure calves stay healthy.
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.
New App StockScore Digitises Livestock Condition Scoring
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
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
25 Years of John Deere Automated Guidance: A Precision Ag Timeline
This year marks the 25th anniversary of John Deere moving into automated guidance.
Lemken Saphir XMR: New Mechanical Seed Drill Replaces Saphir 10m
The new Lemken Saphir XMR mechanical seed drill has been introduced as the successor to the proven Saphir 10m with the manufacturer claiming new standards for precision, ease of use, and area coverage.
Te Pari Acquires NZ Sheep Handler Brand Combi Clamp
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Fendt 900 Vario Marks 50,000 Units With Anniversary Edition
Fendt's 900 Vario was unveiled at Agritechnica 1995 and has since gone on to become a popular choice for farmers and contractors worldwide.
Krone Enters Merger Market With First Belt Model, the Swativo T1040 Pro
Already known for its extensive range of mowers, tedders and swathers, German manufacture Krone looks to be joining the trend in the swather sector, following the release of its first belt merger, the Swativo T1040 Pro.
Motoring
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…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
'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
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?
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How a Scholarship Helped Build a 1400-Cow Taranaki Farm
On a farm in Tikorangi, North Taranaki, Brent Stevenson is sharemilking 1,400 cows.
Record Kiwifruit Harvest Brings Optimism, but Green Growers Face Profitability Challenges
Signs for the 2026-27 kiwifruit crop look good, but there are still some challenges for growers – especially those who…
NZ Confirmed as World's Largest Single-Country Dairy Exporter in 2026 Report
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