Dairy farmer profits to hit record levels in 2025
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
A high performing Jersey herd can generate consistent cash flow now and in the future, a field day heard in Te Awamutu last month.
The 'True Cash Cow' fielday saw Jersey New Zealand and CRV Ambreed teamed up to offer local farmers two days of nutrition, health, production management and breeding programme guidance and support to help maximise their farm profit and increase the value of their herd.
The programme included presentations from award winning Jersey farmers Graham and Lyn Lawry, Dairy Business Centre NZ Limited nutrition consultant Rensinus Schipper, and DairyNZ genetic evaluation developer Melissa Stephen.
Jersey New Zealand representatives and CRV Ambreed's breeding team was also on hand to share the latest developments and successes in their joint venture programmes JerseyGenome and Jersey Genes, which are helping to create valuable progeny and strengthen the overall genetic gain for the Jersey breed.
Attendees visited four Jersey herds where farmers shared their achievements within their breeding programmes and discussed what they are doing to increase the profitability of their herds. Jersey New Zealand president Brian Carter says it was a great opportunity to see the potential of the Jersey breed and how the Jersey cow can be competitive in the national herd.
Jersey New Zealand general manager Warwick Dowse adds that that JerseyGenome and Jersey Genes provide excellent breeding opportunities that will help to achieve efficient production, and create a more valuable herd.
"The Jersey cow is the breed of choice for farmers in both New Zealand and overseas," says Dowse.
As Jerseys are typically a lighter animal with good longevity, Dowse believes this could potentially motivate some farmers in the future to re-think the breed make-up of their herd and how they can best produce a long-lasting, productive cow.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.