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.
A large dairy farmer turnout at a recent effluent management field day shows they want to do the right thing with the environment, says organiser Jon Palmer.
"We had about 100 farmers and industry professionals at the field day at the Tumunui Dairy property to see how its effluent system works," says Palmer, a sustainable agricultural advisor at Waikato Regional Council.
"It's excellent to see such farmer interest in managing dairy effluent."
Farmers at the event, held near Rotorua, were able to consult experts from DairyNZ, AgFirst and OPUS, and council staff. Dairy companies Fonterra and Miraka were on hand to talk about their environmental initiatives.
The council is talking one-to-one with farmers to help them ensure their effluent management systems are up to scratch, and is encouraging them to make improvements where required. It's part of a new region-wide approach.
"Farmers have been responding positively to this approach," says Palmer.
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.