MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
SIDE 2022 will offer a wide range of workshops which provide practical solutions to farming challenges and help farmers taking advantage of a rapidly changing farming environment.
Farmers can join four out of 13 workshops. Workshops options include:
What does good winter grazing look like?
Join DairyNZ environment and water specialist Justin Kitto to hear about the latest changes to wintering regulations. The workshop will visit two local properties in North Otago to see how different farm topography and soil affect wintering management. The session will provide advice on good wintering practices, and an opportunity to discuss successful wintering strategies with local farmers.
Reproduction - findings from Waimate
Vet Ryan Luckman and local farmer Ben Smith will share advice on how to lift reproduction. Ryan will also share insights on data from local farms, including 45 farms using cow collars.
Milk Futures - the highs and lows
Stuart Davidson and Julia Jones from NZX will discuss how milk futures work, and how they can help you to build business resilience. You will also hear from a farmer on their experience and advice, from using milk futures.
Greenhouse gases on farm - more than just hot air
Ravensdown's chief scientific officer Dr Ants Roberts and senior farm environmental consultant Nicole Wheadon will discuss the challenge of knowing and reducing your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They will cover knowing your GHG numbers and practical strategies to help reduce emissions.
Farmers are landlords too - managing on farm housing
Rural tenancy specialist and dairy farmer Rebecca Smith will discuss landlord requirements under new laws, and how property management services can help farmers meet their obligations and manage rental properties.
The pros and cons of cow collars and tags
Join a farmer panel session and hear from cow technology providers. The session will cover:
Building the workforce we want - how do we find and keep great people
This workshop will be led by Jane Muir, lead advisor for people at DairyNZ, and David Browne, director of legal and human resource services at Business South. They will share insights into:
Other workshops
Other workshops you can attend cover these topics:
To find out more about SIDE, and register, visit www.side.org.nz
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through a new initiative designed to make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking easier.
OPINION: While farmers are busy and diligently doing their best to deal with unwanted gasses, the opponents of farming - namely the Greens and their mates - are busy polluting the atmosphere with tirades of hot air about what farmers supposedly aren't doing.
OPINION: For close to eight years now, I have found myself talking about methane quite a lot.
The Royal A&P Show of New Zealand, hosted by the Canterbury A&P Association, is back next month, bigger and better after the uncertainty of last year.
Claims that farmers are polluters of waterways and aquifers and 'don't care' still ring out from environmental groups and individuals. The phrase 'dirty dairying' continues to surface from time to time. But as reporter Peter Burke points out, quite the opposite is the case. He says, quietly and behind the scenes, farmers are embracing new ideas and technologies to make their farms sustainable, resilient, environmentally friendly and profitable.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.