Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
Physical and mental wellbeing while farming under pressure will be a key subject at the 2015 South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) at Lincoln University from June 22-24.
DairyNZ specialist Dana Carver will speak about “the resilient farmer – keeping yourself strong amidst the ever-increasing pressures of farming”.
Her talk has been presented widely and is said to be popular across New Zealand.
“People love it because it focuses on real-world and farmer-specific solutions to the practicalities of keeping healthy. Telling someone they must sleep well is fine, but what are the practical things you can do for yourself when you’re spending half the night awake and worrying?” she says.
Her statistics will show that a lot more farmers are experiencing excessive stress, and she will talk about why farming is now more stressful than 30 years ago. “We will look at why the stresses are there, and think about what we can do as an industry to change the culture.”
Carver, herself a farmer, will outline research about what to do about stress so farming can be enjoyable. “This is the more exciting research – it focuses on the day-to-day reality of what it means to be healthy and is presented with a farming slant.
“I’m after practical questions from farmers on the detail of how to implement change, like how to fit exercise into a busy lifestyle, and what is needed to plan meals for healthy eating.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.