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New research on FE tolerance testing

FE causes damage to the bile system of the liver of the animal which can reduce a ewe’s lifetime productivity by 25%. A secondary effect is photosensitisation, which causes skin reddening and peeling, leaving affected area susceptible to other infections.

A pilot study investigating the potential of a facial eczema (FE) tolerance test is being launched this month.

Questions over the need for pre-lamb drenching

AgResearch scientist Dave Leathwick says there is a degree of conjecture and uncertainty about the benefits of pre-lambing drenching.

AgResearch scientist Dr Dave Leathwick believes there’s a strong case for thinking twice about the practice that is routinely carried out by around 80% of sheep farmers as part of their pre-lamb animal health treatments.

Free phone feed service

Husband and wife team Helen and Charlie Lea.

Farmers in many regions are experiencing feed shortages and are being encouraged to plan for their stock needs and seek help if required.

Action groups carry on-line

RMPP Action Group facilitator John Stantiall says farmers adapted to digital meetings better than he expected. Photo: file.

Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) Action Group facilitator John Stantiall was unsure, at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, how meetings could work.

Not hard being green – farmers

Ballance Farm Environment Awards Waikato supreme winners Mark and Felicity Brough.

Fish, eels and a 1.5km farm walk were the highlights of a field day held on a King Country sheep and beef farm this month.

Nats hit the rural hustings

National’s agriculture spokesman David Bennett suggests the current drive for sustainability needs to be driven by using good scientific evidence and a consistent approach that doesn’t hurt the key primary sector players.

National’s Waikato team of David Bennett and Tim van der Molen have been spreading the party word at a series of farmer meetings around the region.

A farmer perspective in the boardroom

Retiring Ravensdown director and Darfield farmer Stuart Wright.

Deputy chair of Ravensdown, Stuart Wright on why farmers should throw their hat in the ring and join board rooms.

Is diversity our downfall?

OPINION: For as long as MMP has existed, we in the provinces have played along to our detriment.

All sizzle, no sausage — Editorial

OPINION: Despite all the hype and political theatre surrounding last week’s release of the Primary Sector Council’s report, the document seems more like a horoscope than a clear guide to anywhere.