New visa for 11,000 seasonal workers
Around 11,000 people whose working visas are set to expire over the 2020/21 season have been granted a new visa.
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Look out for rural communities - RWNZ
Rural Women NZ is calling for a commitment to improving the health and well-being of rural families and enhancing rural communities’ reliance from all candidates at this year’s general election.
$30m PGF funding for Northland
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing nearly $30 million towards projects in Northland.
Trade issues dominate meat industry
Trade issues are well traversed in the Meat Industry Association's (MIA) annual report.
Prices expected to wax and wane
Expect more of the same as dairy prices on Global Dairy Trade (GDT) broke a two-month drought and posted an increase last week.
Beef+Lamb pushing for changes
Farmer-good organisation Beef+Lamb NZ (BLNZ) says it will continue to advocate for changes to the new fresh water regulations.
National
Helping grow farming’s future
John Jackson’s ability for future and critical thinking saw him deeply involved in the development of an agribusiness programme that has now been rolled out in secondary schools throughout NZ.
Live cattle exports in limbo
The fate of 28,000 cows in quarantine in New Zealand and supposedly destined for China in the coming weeks hangs in the balance.
Advisory group for winter grazing
An advisory group will be formed to advise the Government on winter grazing rules proposed for Southland.
Farm values down — REINZ
A floating and volatile situation – that’s how the Real Estate Institute of NZ rural spokesperson Brian Peacocke describes the current value of dairy farms around the country.
World
Lifeline for field day organisers
Australia has introduced a support package for struggling field days organisations.
UN removes anti-meat tweet
The United Nations has removed a tweet following a global backlash from farmers.Bunnings banning Oz timber “pandering to extremist groups”
Bunnings’ decision to no longer sell timber from an Australian state-owned forestry agency that breached conservation laws is being criticised.New swine flu has ‘pandemic potential’
Scientists are calling for urgent action following the discovery of a new strain of swine flu.UK farmers use trackers to recover stolen machinery
An increase in the use of trackers is enabling UK police to recover 100s of 1000s of pounds worth of…Opinion
Putting heart back in the heartland?
National's long-held position in Port Waikato is under threat from a new party, according to John Jackson.
DairyNZ's election wishlist
DairyNZ has released its ten policy priorities for the 2020 election and its The View from the Cow Shed report…What’s going on in southland? — Editorial
OPINION: It is hard to fathom exactly what’s going to happen in Southland in light of the impact of the…Rethink needed — Editorial
OPINION: Environment minister David Parker has had a long and tempestuous relationship with the farming sector.Building up the primary sector workforce
Tertiary Education Commission chief executive, Tim Fowler, once worked on a dairy farm as a teenager ‘townie’ and appreciates how…Agribusiness
Connections key to future rural sector success
Challenges facing the rural sector reinforce the need to work together and ensure linkages are strong and smart, according to…
Know your farm’s green footprint
It's important to know your financials and KPIs but it is just as important to know your environmental footprint and…A glimmer of hope for NZ strong wool?
A Lincoln-based wool products company believes it offers a glimmer of hope against the increasing negativity currently saturating New Zealand’s…Court rules on RPR test case
Both sides claimed a victory of sorts in a recent High Court case that tested the criteria for labelling phosphate…Another bumper year ahead?
Avocado growers are looking forward to another bumper year despite the global economic uncertainty.Management
Vat-Man comes to the rescue
A vat of milk, calving in full swing, and suddenly there is no power – a far from an ideal scenario for Whakatane sharemilker, Troy Doherty.
Drenching cows during milking now common
The drenching process can be fitted into the normal milking routine with ease if done properly, and without any substantial increase in milking times, according to DairyNZ.
LIC bulls take top awards
It may have not been three in a row, but one Manawatu farm has achieved a hat-trick of sorts after winning this year’s coveted Mahoe Trophy.
Virtual fences signal shift in cow management
Halter claims to remove the need for fences, gates and even the farm dog.
Farm Health
Strategy to reduce heifer mastitis
First calvers are more prone to mastitis than older cows. According to DairyNZ, farmers must choose a strategy that best suits their herd, farm team, and budget.
Self-shedding sheep study
Massey University is examining the economic impact and the production consequences of crossbreeding with Wiltshire sheep to a fully shedding flock.
Long-acting drench treatments called into question – again
Even more doubt has been cast on the economic value of drenching ewes with long-acting products, following a recent jointly-funded Beef + Lamb New Zealand study.
Plantain in animal’s diet offers potential benefits
New Zealand farmers can now assess the potential impact and investment of plantain using OverseerFM.
Machinery & Products
World's fastest dry matter analyser
Ag-tech company Consumer Physics is introducing SCiO Cup – said to be the world’s fastest, portable, lab-grade forage dry matter analyser.
Mowers get a makeover
Well known throughout New Zealand over the past 18 years, Pottinger has redesigned its rear-mounted Novadisc mowers to incorporate a side pivot mounting.
Triple disc, air drill gets a boost
The Great Plains Spartan II triple disc, no-till air drill range has been updated to meet the evolving New Zealand market.
Contractor on a roll with bales
Agricultural contractor Grant Kinsman sticks with what he knows and likes.
JD updates header line-up
John Deere has updated its entire header line-up for combines to include the new HDR Rigid Cutterbar Drapers, RDF HydraFlex Drapers, a BP15 Belt Pickup, and CR and CF Corn Heads.
Motoring
X marks the spot
While many car manufacturers set out to cater for all sectors of the market, it’s fair to say that Subaru…
Gladiator set to commence battle
The new Jeep Gladiator is due to arrive on the NZ market in August.Tiny Jimny hits the right note
Strong demand for the instantly recognised Suzuki Jimny in New Zealand has continued to accelerate with the 1000th retail order…‘Czech’ out Skoda’s latest SUV
Skoda has released the newest member of its SUV family – the Skoda Kamiq – to enter the rapidly growing…Electric ute a breath of fresh air
Based on the Toyota Landcruiser 70, the all-electirc ZED 70 is engineered for harsh climates.» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Milking It
Cows and earthquakes
OPINION: It has long been suggested that animals have senses that humans don’t, and often behave differently than usual shortly…
Battle is on
OPINION: One of Australia’s biggest dairy businesses is back on the market after the Federal Government knocked back a bid…
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Popular Reads
Farming on a senseless slippery slope
A recent decision to extend 5.8 million hectares of land designated as 'low slope' to 9.6 million hectares is causing trouble…
Locals only will not ‘cut the mustard’
An estimated 28 million tonnes of crop worth $110 million will be at risk if overseas machinery operators are not…
Payout under pressure — banks
Falling dairy prices in recent months are putting this season’s forecast milk payout under strain.