Management

Milk quality: any value for farmers?

Dairy companies have always wanted good quality milk — but what’s in it for farmers?

Recycled milk liners prevent waste

The Walshe family, of Putaruru, are contract milkers, sending 470 cows through a 40 bail herringbone shed. They're finding success with Quthane milking liners from DairyFlo.

Three-in-two milking aimed at farmer, cow health

A DairyNZ-led project launched in July is looking into the benefits to farmers of 3-in-2 milking (three milkings in two days). It will run for three years.

Keep your dairy spotless

DairyNZ emphasises that the cleanliness of the milking system and the dairy is critical.

The true cost of lameness

Lameness can cost farmers $500 - $1000 per case, yet farmers often underestimate its cost.

‘We’re doing our bit, so must townies’

Dairy farmers are pleased the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord shows them doing their bit to improve water quality.

Great farming systems will surely save the planet

OPINION: People need to get their knives out of farmers’ backs and look at the science.

Fertiliser use in spring

The refreshed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management increases the pressure on farmers to improve their nutrient management.

Getting ready for maize planting

Follow these seven steps to ensure you plan for maize planting as well as you can.

Getting spring pasture covers right

Managing pasture surpluses or deficits in spring is the key to maintaining quality and persistence going into summer, says Ravensdown agronomist Tim Russell.

Environmentally friendly calves

Nitrogen leaching on many dairy farms is reducing as the farmers breed from LowN Sires bulls, says the marketer CRV Ambreed.

Pushback on disease affecting brassica crops

A team led by Punjab Agricultural University, India, with researchers from The University of Western Australia, reports a breakthrough in disease resistance in brassica crops.

Catch crops' bottom-line and environmental benefits

Catch crops could rise in importance in crop rotations, particularly as the regulatory spotlight lights up the environmental impact of winter feed crops.

Hawke’s Bay shepherd seizes his opportunities

Chris Hursthouse (22) is proof you don’t have to grow up on a farm to succeed in farming.

Irrigating farmers record better enviro audit grades

Irrigating farmers in the Amuri district in North Canterbury are continuing to record improved environmental performance.

Sustainable future prompts upgrade

Seek expert advice to understand how to meet new effluent management regulations in your region, advices Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) primary industries manager Mark Jackways.

Spring blasts can rob nutrients

Winter and early spring are when nutrients are most at risk of getting lost from farms, writes Bala Tikkisetty, sustainable agriculture advisor at Waikato Regional Council.

First-time awards contestant made the finals

Shawn Southee’s first-ever contest entry was in the Dairy Business of the Year awards. Jill Galloway talked to him about his lower North Island dairy business win.

Setting Olsen P targets

A new scientific article on the management of soil phosphorus makes fascinating reading, writes Dr Bert Quin, managing director of Quin Environmentals.

Empty rates down

Heat detection technology has helped two Taranaki farmers to cut their herd’s empty rate from 16% to 11% in its first season, says the supplier, Gallagher Group.

Tags deliver more days in milk

Using CowScout tags has offered more days in milk, says Cambridge dairy farmer Brad Payne.

Bulls with the X factor

Why pay more for a registered Hereford sire?

More farmland goes in to trees

A large foreign-financed but New Zealand owned investment company has brought a big station in the Wairarapa for forestry development.

Farming the ocean

Salmon farmer New Zealand King Salmon says it is taking a step towards the future by applying for resource consent to farm in the open ocean of Cook Strait.

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