New Dairy Research Unlocks Better Fertility and Herd Performance in NZ
New research is helping farmers better understand and manage fertility, with clearer tools and measures to support more robust, productive herds.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says the low forecast farmgate milk price is already putting a lot of pressure on dairy farmers and their cashflows.
He says if the drought is as bad as some people are saying, this will add to that pressure.
Van der Poel says while the potential for a drought is yet another stress, the good news is farmers have plenty of warning and can plan for what might be in store.
“We at DairyNZ are encouraging farmers to plan. We have a lot of resources, and we are running a lot of events to help farmers prepare for both the low payout and then what their options are to manage their way through a drought, should it turn up,” he told Dairy News.
He says many of the regions that could be hit by the drought have endured huge amounts of rain in the year and the prospect of facing a drought is tough on people.
He says the industry is hopeful the banks will help farmers through the impending tough times. He says the banks recognise that farmers have been very responsible in good seasons and paid down debt, so some are in a strong position.
“The banks have indicated that they will be sympathetic to farmers, and he hope this happens,” he says.
Van der Poel says if farmers need any help, all they need to do is call the DairyNZ 0800 number and they will be put them in touch with someone who can give them assistance.
Federated Farmers says reforms of local government announced last week will be music to farmers' ears.
Hinehou Timutimu, the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, says she feels privileged to have won the award.
Irish meat processor Dawn Meats has acquired Alexander Eyckeler GmbH, a long-standing German customer and partner of Alliance Group, for an undisclosed sum.
ACT's new immigration policy has come under fire from farmers and the Government.
A hypothesis in a major dairy research programme that bulls genetically proven to be low methane producers could pass this trait onto their lactating daughters has been proven to be incorrect.
ACT MP and Minister for Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard says he's hearing a common story about school buses, with empty seats, driving past pick-up points, while a parent follows behind in a farm ute, burning fuel and taking up time to get their children to school.
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