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Forgotten floods still haunt Whanganui farmers

Nick Tripe, 77, lost 15% of his pastures to slips and silt damage.

It is three months since devastating floods hit the lower North Island. While the mess is gone from Whanganui city, and normal life has resumed, in the country it’s a far different story, writes Peter Burke.

More milk for less water

Pahiatua Operations Manager Bill Boakes and Managing Director Global Operations Robert Spurway.

Fonterra's $231 million upgrade of its processing plant at Pahiatua has used new technology to reduce the amount of water consumed, while trebling production.

Weather holds key to milk production

Weather in the coming months will determine the size of the drop in milk production, says Federated Farmers Dairy president Andrew Hoggard.

Ag training sector to repay $7.5m

Taratihi chair Mavis Mullins. “This should not have happened and we’re confident actions taken will ensure they don’t happen again.”

Despite Taratahi Agricultural Training having 67 of its tutors enrolled as students in one of its programmes, this is viewed as not ‘uncommon’ by its current head.

Zespri’s strategy attracts investment

MyFarm national sales manager Grant Payton at the existing kiwifruit orchard which will form part of a new venture just south of Auckland.

The strength of the kiwifruit industry was a key factor behind MyFarm’s second kiwifruit venture, a proposed $9 million orchard development in the Franklin district, just south of Auckland.

Lower interest rates lifts dairy farmers

Fed Farmers’ Andrew Hoggard says most farmers will have to borrow money to get through a challenging season and a lower interest rate will help.

Dairy farmers are welcoming the latest cut in the official cash rate.

Red meat levy apathy

Beef + Lamb chairman James Parsons says farmers want an organisation to represent their interests and one that provides them with clear demonstrable value.

The 2015 sheep and beef levy referendum has ended showing apathetic voter turnout – around the same number as last voted six years ago.

Decision time

It's important to have at least one cooperative in the meat industry, says a senior lecturer in agribusiness management at Lincoln University.

Beef quota quandary

New Zealand is rapidly closing on filling its beef quota to the US for the first time since 2004.

Watch your back this spring

Sheep farmers busy with tailing/docking of lambs are being urged to take extra care of their backs.

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Season outlook predicts increased profits

Beef + Lamb NZ has released its New Season Outlook 2015-16, which predicts a lift in before-tax profits for the average New Zealand sheep and beef farm.

MPI, cruise industry to combat fruit fly

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will work closely with the cruise ship industry this season to manage biosecurity risk, especially fruit fly.