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New animal welfare regulations approved

A host of new animal welfare regulations have been approved by the Government following delays due to COVID-19.

UN removes anti-meat tweet

The United Nations has removed a tweet following a global backlash from farmers.

Limited feed puts ewes at risk

Severe feed shortages in parts of the country mean many ewes are on a nutritional knife-edge heading into lambing and could be at risk of developing metabolic disorders.

Nitrate poisoning risks post drought

Cases of nitrate poisoning are being reported in the Hawke’s Bay region after recent rain.

Ballance returning $54m to shareholders

Ballance Agri-Nutrients has confirmed a farmer rebate of $45 per tonne for the year ending 31 May 2020.

Jack’s unique solution

Jason Jack was left with severe spinal injuries after a wakeboarding accident when he was 29, but that hasn’t stopped him getting out and about in difficult environments.

National

Nervous wait for winter

The unknown of what winter will bring is very much on the mind of the Hawkes Bay Rural Support Trust head Mike Barham.

Ag contractor training gearing up

Agricultural contractors are warning about a severe shortage of skilled machinery operators for the upcoming harvest season.

Be careful, Potatoes NZ!

Moves by the NZ potato industry to have anti-dumping tariffs imposed on European imports could play into the hands of the EU, warns a long-time trade negotiator.

Chips down for NZ spuds

New Zealand potato growers want duties imposed on frozen potato imports coming into the country from Belgium and the Netherlands.

World

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…

Pig of a situation in the US

US pig farmers could soon be culling on-site due to a COVID-19 induced backup at meatpacking plants.

Opinion

Consider your vote carefully

Farmers’ Chaplain, Colin Miller on what to look out for when voting this year.

What’s different? — Editorial

OPINION: Long-time wool industry observers have greeted the latest report aimed at resurrecting the ailing fortunes of the country’s struggling…

The great goat meat price mystery

Garrick Batten on why there aren't more goats on pastoral farms.

No place for Tom, Dick or Harry! – Editorial

OPINION: Migrants are a critical and valued part of dairying in New Zealand, filling skills shortages on farms when there…

Know your farm’s emissions profile

OPINION: As the world deals with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, it’s important to remember climate change hasn’t gone…

Agribusiness

An actual plan or more woolly thinking?

Despite claims by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor that a new report will be the plan “to revitalise New Zealand’s strong…

Carbon zero milk

Fonterra has joined forces with a supermarket chain to deliver what it claims is NZ’s first carbon zero milk.

Action groups carry on-line

Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) Action Group facilitator John Stantiall was unsure, at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, how…

Hopes high after co-op’s hemp trial

Fonterra is trying its hand on growing hemp and results are encouraging.

Animal tracing improves

The latest NAIT data shows farmers are increasing their engagement with the system and becoming more compliant.

Management

Give that man a Guinness – another world wheat record!

Going to liquid fertiliser is the big innovation that allowed Mid-Canterbury arable farmer Eric Watson to break his own Guinness World Record for wheat yield.

Feed the most critical factor

Maintaining ewes in good body condition and the provision of shelter are two important management factors in maximising this year’s lamb crop.

Getting transport systems sorted

Advice for transporting bobby calves this season.

Minimising weaning stress on farms

Every change at weaning should be carefully planned and gradually implemented.

Look after your calves, look after your community

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is partnering with animal health company Virbac New Zealand during the calf rearing season.

Farm Health

Limited feed puts ewes at risk

Severe feed shortages in parts of the country mean many ewes are on a nutritional knife-edge heading into lambing and could be at risk of developing metabolic disorders.

Nitrate poisoning risks post drought

Cases of nitrate poisoning are being reported in the Hawke’s Bay region after recent rain.

Setting calves up for future

Successful calf rearing starts at the beginning and getting it right will always be important in setting them up for the future, says calf feeder maker Stallion Ltd.

Giving calves the best start to life

The better start a calf has in life, the better animal they will be in years to come.

Preventing scours

The most common cause of scouring is nutritional scours, which happens when there is a change in diet or a diet that is inappropriate for the age group of calves.

Machinery & Products

Hydrogen excavator a first

While most motive industries are focused on hybrid or EV power plants, JCB has developed the construction industry’s first hydrogen-powered excavator.

New faces and challenges for association

With Covid-19 effectively cancelling the annual meeting of the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA), this year’s event was conducted by teleconferencing.

Jack’s unique solution

Jason Jack was left with severe spinal injuries after a wakeboarding accident when he was 29, but that hasn’t stopped him getting out and about in difficult environments.

Latest tech keeps wheels turning

The latest tech is being utilised on Canterbury-based Turley Farms.

Elite telehandler’s new look

New Holland Agriculture has upgraded its telehandler offering, with new naming and livery, with the latter said to integrate the range into the NH harvesting family.