A thriving biological community drives nutrient cycling and supports soil structure.

With the pressure of winter and spring behind us, and the groundwork laid, now is a good time for many farmers to pause, check progress against plan, and think ahead to ensure resilience for whatever summer and autumn may bring.

On most dairy farms, the highest electricity demands occur in the morning and afternoon milkings.

Energy costs in New Zealand are rising. Farmers find themselves with ever increasing gas and electricity prices. A group of final year electrical engineering students at the University of Canterbury, Fabian Scott, Kai Ferrier, Kate Dowling and Reuben Jones report on their investigation on-farm energy options on behalf of a farmer in the Waikato. The goal was to develop insights for farmers around renewable energy investment.

The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.

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Battle for milk

OPINION: Fonterra may be on the verge of selling its consumer business in New Zealand, but the co-operative is not…

Birth woes

OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.

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