BCS Targets: Why Body Condition Score Matters at Calving
Body Condition Score (BCS) is a critical element in managing the health and reproduction of the dairy herd.
With the calving season just around the corner many farmers will soon be doing their annual rounds of calf rearing duties.
The latest transporter/mixer for milk or colostrum from McKee Plastics will find favour with rearers, the self-contained unit making life easy at the flick of a switch.
The 550L moulded tank is mounted on a galvanised chassis with a low centre of gravity which promotes stability in yard or paddock.
A 180L/min submersible pump is powered by a 12V motor which can be direct wired to a quad or tractor for continuous top-up; it is said to be quiet in operation around stock.
Stainless steel fittings are used throughout, and the units are supplied with a 9m delivery hose with a 342mm dispensing nozzle. For hygiene, an in-built tank wash system makes cleaning a breeze.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.