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High-speed broadband an issue for Irish also

Alex White says broadband is critical for increasing production and productivity.

High speed broadband is a core requirement for farmers, says Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Alex White.

Pest paper a good sign

Many pests in New Zealand continue to be managed with poor understanding of their bionomics and impacts, warns the abstract of a paper published this month in the Journal of the Royal Society.

Farmers and farming organisations had better focus their energy on keeping safe on their farms, rather than getting into debates on whether children should be banned from riding as passengers on quads.

Southern milk supply dries up

Fonterra’s milk collection in the South Island for March was 7% behind the same month in 2014.

Fonterra says milk collection in the South Island in March was 7% below last season.

One Plan working out

Bruce Rollison balances life as a grower and HRC councillor.

Farmers and Horizons Regional Council were for years at each other’s throats over the infamous One Plan and the council’s stance seen by some as anti-farming.

Sprouting business is all about good looks

Consumer preferences have moved from taste to looks. That’s the view of Ohakune commercial vegetable grower Bruce Rollison, growing Brussel sprouts and parsnips for the domestic market.

Willingness to change key to success

“The only reason I’m here is because I failed.” How often have you heard a farming event opened with a line like that?

Pig industry brings home bacon

NZPork chair Ian Carter says those staying in the industry are getting better.

Pig kill for the last financial year was 12,000 less than budgeted for by NZPork, showing the continuing consolidation in the industry.

Arable farmers show how to grow feed

Eat your heart out dairy farmers: even if your pasture is the best in the country it won’t come close to amassing the feed/day a cereal crop can, judging by Foundation of Arable Research (FAR) findings.

Shear dedication pays off

Shearing veteran Peter McCabe with the winner’s ribbon he won at this year’s Golden Shears.

For competitive shearers, winning a class at Golden Shears is a career pinnacle. Peter McCabe, Tauranga, achieved this at the 2015 event when he won the veterans’ class.