HOME

» Featured

COVID-19: Better than expected for Open Country Dairy

Open Country Dairy (OCD) says it’s operating in a near ‘business as usual’ state under Alert 4 restrictions.

Covid-19: Farmer lobby’s strength on display

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says COVID-19 has highlighted the strength of the farmer lobby.

Rain bringing some drought relief — Penny

While the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 continues, ran has brought some drought relief over the past week, says ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny.

COVID-19: Fonterra making hand sanitiser

As New Zealand faces a nation-wide shortage of hand sanitiser, Fonterra is chipping in to produce the precious resource.

COVID-19 threatening global food security — UN

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is urging leaders from G20 countries to take measures to keep global food systems working well.

COVID-19: Tax relief for M. bovis farmers

Farmers whose herds were culled in response to the outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis will be able to minimise the tax treatment of their income in some circumstances.

National

New associate director for Beef + Lamb board

Wairarapa farmer Kate Wyeth has been appointed this year’s associate director on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand board.

COVID-19: New MPI register for safe practice

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has set up a register for safe practice in the sector, with registrations due this Friday.

Primary exports hit, but outlook strong

Primary sector export returns will take a $1.3 billion hit from COVID-19, but there is some good news.

COVID-19: Keep calm and consider grain — Feds

Federated Farmers has some advice for farmers operating under COVID-19.

World

COVID-19 threatening global food security — UN

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is urging leaders from G20 countries to take measures to keep global…

Oz warning on Covid-19 scams

People reeling from the effects of Covid-19 have one more thing to worry about.

Regenerative farming ‘working wonders for Oz farmers’

Australian farmers who have already embraced regenerative farming are much more profitable than conventional farmers, says soil microbiologist Dr Walter…

Aussie flock hits 116 year low

Prolonged dry conditions in rural Australia are taking a toll on its national sheep flock.

Farmers flock to YouTube to make money

A trend is emerging of farmers posting on YouTube to make money — but just how worthwhile are the returns?

Opinion

Tightened US rules an opportunity

OPINION: The updated US Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule for “grass-fed” or “pasture-fed” milk or meat is very restrictive.

Proper water strategy vital

A long-term strategy is required for water storage, explains Todd Muller, National’s agriculture spokesman.

Still the bedrock — Editorial

Amidst the coronavirus upheaval, one thing is certain – agriculture will see our economy through.

COVID-19: We’ve got this!

OPINION: Amidst the coronavirus upheaval, one thing is certain – agriculture will see the NZ economy through.

Questionable future — Editorial

OPINION: The word uncertainty has taken on a new meaning for farmers in the past six months.

Agribusiness

NZ agritech builds relationships

Building relationships with other Kiwi agtech leaders and innovators was a surprising outcome for some attending the high-profile evokeAG event…

A rock to both the NZ and Moroccan economies

New Zealand farmers probably do not realise the contribution they are making to the economic and community life of people…

Know your soil before your farm

Dr Tony Joseph explains how to assess your soil and keep it healthy.

Markets and trends: holding our breath

Rabobank's outlook for New Zealand's dairy, beef, sheepmeat, and horticulture sectors.

Developing leaders for tomorrow

Last month, 21 developing dairy industry leaders started Fonterra’s year-long Governance Development Programme, with two days of presentations and discussions…

Management

Don’t be bullied into building large ponds

A Hamilton soil and water consultant is questioning the effectiveness of the dairy effluent storage calculator on Waikato farms.

Award up for grabs for responsible irrigation

Encouraging farmers to share ideas for achieving sustainable freshwater management has motivated the launch of a new award — with a trip to the US up for grabs.

A house cows can flow into anytime

HerdHome System Ltd founders Tom and Kathy Pow are back at the helm of the company they founded 20 years ago.

Restrictions on water use in Bay of Plenty

Dry weather conditions are putting Bay of Plenty Regional Council waterways under unusual pressure.

Getting smarter at growing grass

In his third season, sharemilker and Ravensdown shareholder James Barbour takes us through the farm’s approach to nutrient management.

Farm Health

Jersey breed on the rise

A farmer group promoting Jersey cows says stock and semen sales indicate the breed is on the rise.

Controlling and managing flystrike

During the past three decades, there has been a marked shift from saturation, to low-volume dipping methods.

No magic bullet to fly control

There is no “one-size fits all” approach when it comes to effective prevention and treatment of flystrike.

Improved animal evaluation to allow better breeding decisions

More accurate genetic evaluations, drawing on ten years of New Zealand and international research, will be available to dairy farmers from this month.

‘Cows can help reverse global warming’

Cows and pasture are not the villains in climate change, but could instead be our saviours, says Hawke’s Bay farmer, soil scientist and consultant Phyllis Tichinin.

Dubbed as a universal seeder, Amazone’s new GreenDrill 501 is said to be ideal for one-pass sowing of ‘catch crops’, fine seeds and undersown crops in combination with the company’s trailed cultivators.

Solar-powered number plates for cows

The financial, operational and managerial benefits of Ceres Tag ear tags are significant, according to Kenneth Irons, managing director at Precision Farming.