Management

Record them right in autumn rush

Sharemilkers are the minority among dairy and beef farmers, but in respect of NAIT they have a big role.

How farmers can build up carbon in soils

Research to help dairy farmers build up carbon in their soils to offset their farms’ greenhouse gas emissions is underway.

Genomics key to smaller, efficient herds

The call for dairy farmers to prepare now for a future with smaller, more productive herds depends on access to superior dairy sires.

Sheep and beef focus for 2019

Two farms from the North Island east coast and one from Central Hawkes Bay are the finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua competition for the top Māori sheep and beef farm.

Vital to manage hoggets prior to breeding

Hogget breeding, done correctly, can increase the number of lambs weaned on a farm each year and their lifetime performance.

Keeping milk cooling records

Farmers must confirm periodically that their farm’s milk cooling system is performing to the standard set by the new rules.

Device ‘tricks’ cooler across the line

Taranaki farmer Grant Gopperth was at a crossroads: new milk cooling regulations required that he upgrade his milking shed.

Keep bacteria out

Raw milk grows bacteria rapidly above 7˚C, so adequate milk cooling is essential for ensuring quality milk is supplied.

Options that could work on your farm

You can efficiently cool milk before it enters the vat using reliable, cost-effective systems to chill milk quickly.

Why energy efficiency matters

Energy management is a key way dairy farmers and sharemilkers can cut costs and improve profits.

Choose the right cooling system

Milk cooling affects milk quality: the quicker the milk is cooled after milking, the better the quality when it is collected from the farm.

Planning prevents poor maize

The predicted dry patch, which in November seemed impossible to envisage, has arrived.

Exploring new ways to make a dollar

Farm forestry and tourism are blending well with Graham Smith’s dairy business.

Savings showered by the sun

A Woodville, Tararua dairy farmer is halving his dairy shed power bill with a solar power system he will pay for in six years. And it has no batteries. Peter Burke reports.

High-energy farming event coming

This year’s East Coast Farming Expo – on March 6 and 7 at the Wairoa A&P Showground – will again have energy high on its agenda.

Plantain can reduce N-leaching

Game-changing new research into how plantain crops can reduce nitrogen (N) loss from dairy farms will see upper Manawatu farmers at the forefront of dairy science.

FEP template aims to ‘quieten noise’

ECan has approved a farm environment plan (FEP) template for use by farmers under the new Canterbury Land & Water Regional Plan.

Native plantings paying dividends

Mid-Canterbury farmer John Evans is reaping the benefits of native plantings on his farm, in the form of improved pollination and pest control.

Dung beetles ‘last piece of a big puzzle’

A greater Wellington council officer is “really proud” of dairy farmers in the region who have backed a scheme to release dung beetles.

Reducing heat stress on cows

Dairy cows in all regions are affected by heat stress during summer. The comfort zone of a cow is 4-20°C, about 10-15° lower than the comfort zone of a human.