Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
Farmers have the opportunity to access the knowledge of some of their industry's leading thinkers, in a new podcast series covering everything from grazing to governance.
The Tune Up is produced by farm reporting software company Trev. Chief executive Scott Townshend says the podcast series has provided an opportunity for Trev to tap into its network of respected industry leaders, happy to share their knowledge.
"I'm sure everybody will recognise some or even all of the podcast guests. But for many of us, having access or the time off-farm to chat with these people is difficult so it's great to be able to share their wisdom and insights with a wider audience."
The series is hosted by Trev director Will Burrett. He engages with the variety of guests during six episodes spread over the next six weeks.
"As farmers we wear many different hats and are increasingly expected to wear more. We are food producer, people leaders, vets, biologists, soil scientists and electricians. But what's important at the end of the day we are passionate about what we do," he says.
Episode one kicked off last week with a conversation between industry analyst Julia Jones and Marlborough district farmer Murray King, discussing consumers' demand for greater transparency in their food supply chain.
"We have been lucky to engage with people from across the industry spectrum, not only within and beyond the farm gate but also in terms of sheer years of experience," says Townshend.
"We have the likes of DairyNZ chair and respected dairy figure Jim van der Poel talking about how grass will always be king in any Kiwi dairy system, through to farmer and Farm 4 Life entrepreneur Tangaroa Walker."
While largely focused on the dairy sector, the podcast series aims to provide insights that will be useful to farmers from all parts of the industry.
Burrett says the podcast series reinforced to him how fortunate New Zealand farmers are to be in an industry where people are so willing to share their time and knowledge to help the wider community grow.
"For me there have been a lot of pearlers come out of the series," he says.
"To quote Canterbury farmer Cameron Henderson who features on episode four, we want Kiwis to be proud of what we do. We're a big part of New Zealand's economy and a big part of New Zealand's future and we really need to look after our brand just as much as looking after our own businesses."
The Tune Up podcast series is accessible either as a video or audio podcast available from the usual platforms. You can also head to www.mytrev.com to watch and listen.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.