Coutts appointed chair-elect of Mainland Group
Fonterra has named Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts the chair of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of the co-operative’s consumer business.
NORTHLAND DAIRY farmers need to take action to ensure the impact of recent wet weather is not carried over into coming seasons.
DairyNZ Northland regional leader Tafi Manjala says the region has experienced its wettest winter in decades, all off the back of a drought.
"It's important farmers make these storm experiences a one year event and not a three year catch-up," says Manjala.
Farmers should be focusing on minimising pugging damage, getting their cows and heifers in-calf and utilising all the help available from other farmers and rural professionals.
"It's important that farmers assess their pastures daily and avoid pugging damage that can reduce pasture production by up to 50% for six weeks or longer," says Manjala.
"Using on-off grazing by standing cattle off-paddock is the most effective grazing strategy."
Tafi says getting cows and heifers in-calf should now be a priority. "Many cows and heifers have lost excessive body condition during and after the adverse weather and this is placing dairy herd in-calf rates at risk," he says.
"Farmers should be assessing their herds and take proactive action with cows with a body condition score less than 4 to minimise the impact on their herds' in-calf rate."
"Farmers should also be exploring supplement options now."
Pre-mating heat detection is more important this year than ever to identify non-cycling cows and take action early.
Farmers are advised to take advantage of the advice available from their rural advisers, other farmers and attend a DairyNZ discussion group (dairynz.co.nz/events).
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
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