The Frew family in Ohakune have arguably the largest milking platform in New Zealand – some 4000ha – yet run only 700 cows. The question is why? Peter Burke explains.
New Zealand's dairy goat industry is starting research aimed at generating and amassing scientific data on the benefits of consuming goat milk infant formula produced by sustainable farm systems.
Dairy farmers Mark and Jennifer McDonald began beautifying their 138ha Methven dairy farm a decade ago.
Farmers are working hard to help the environment, but the ‘quoted experts’ need to work hard too, explains Greg Jarratt, vet and director of Matamata Veterinary Services.
Vets' greater understanding of livestock’s ability to sense pain has more of them integrating pain relief into some treatments, as regulations also start to tighten on treatment standards.
Keith and Tracey Crawford began their dairy careers with big dreams of farm ownership, then still a highly achievable goal for a determined young couple.
Dairy farmers are being sought for a progeny testing to develop the next generation of elite dairy sires.
Soil damage during winter is a big issue for farmers. It coincides with high stock densities and high soil moisture conditions.
Redpath explains how to efficiently feed cows in their dairy housing.
Grass silage begins to break down once exposed to air, making steps to reduce losses crucial.
Maize silage is a maize crop cut and ensiled in a stack or bunker; commonly used as a supplement to pasture in situations where cows would otherwise be underfed.
The long summer dry has meant many farmers are now focused on how they can increase pasture cover levels while still meeting cow condition score targets.
The fertility breeding value is a genetic assessment of future cow fertility and it works, says DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Chris Burke.
Tokoroa farmer Marcel Korsten operates a closed farm system: what doesn’t get out the front gate as milk has to go back onto the farm.
Good effluent management combines a well-designed effluent system with processes for collecting effluent and applying it to pasture in the right quantities at the right time.
New research points to more advantages to the ClearTech dairy effluent treatment system being developed by Lincoln University and Ravensdown.
The case against Pollock Farms was taken by Waikato Regional Council following inspections where over-irrigation of effluent was evident.
The dairy industry is supporting councils in their efforts to get all farmers to meet their effluent obligations.
The winners of the 2019 Southland-Otago Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmer of the Year competition believe strong relationships and networks are the key to their successful business.
The Share Farmer of the Year in the 2019 Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Industry Awards says he aims to look after his people, pasture, cows and environment.
A Hokitika couple have won Share Farmer of the Year in the 2019 West Coast-Top of the South Dairy Industry Awards.
2019 Northland Dairy Manager of the Year Lorraine Ferreira has a unique job.
Farm ownership remains the top priority for Colin and Isabella Beazley, the Share Farmer of the Year winners in the 2019 Northland Dairy Industry Awards.
Public speaking, feed budgeting, interviews, farm finances and explaining goals are among the many things entrants in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards learn, says the awards executive chair Rachel Baker.
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Milking It
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