110,000 visitors!
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
Scientists at Massey University have confirmed what farmers have known for years: cows do not like to walk uphill.
Their research, funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, investigates more sustainable farming practices for managing beef cows on hill country and around waterways.
Angus, Angus cross-Friesian and Angus cross-Jersey cows were monitored over two consecutive winters at the university’s Tuapaka farm to get baseline measurements of how the beef cows used the 8-12ha paddocks.
The research found that even in extensive hill country paddocks cows avoided walking uphill. Of the 3km they walked each day, less than 300m was uphill. Instead the cows followed the contours of the hills and concentrated their grazing on the flatter areas. The cows’ movements were largely unaffected by cold, wet weather.
Researchers say this confirms what farmers already know about feed requirements and grazing habits but gives them a baseline measure.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.