Friday, 18 February 2022 10:55

NDDT now webinars

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fonterra chairman Peter McBride will address one of the webinars, giving a global outlook for New Zealand farmers. Fonterra chairman Peter McBride will address one of the webinars, giving a global outlook for New Zealand farmers.

The annual Northland Dairy Development Trust (NDDT) conference will now be run as a series of webinars.

The day-long confererence normally has a keynote address delivered by Fonterra's chairman and is well attended by Northland farmers.

However, due to Covid, this year's conference will run as four evening sessions via Zoom later this month.

Fonterra chairman Peter McBride will address one of the webinars, giving a global outlook for New Zealand farmers.

Another session will see Ministry for Primary Industries chief science advisor John Roche look at the future of dairy farming both overseas and in NZ, particularly in the changing climate and greenhouse gas regulatory environment. Some of the questions he will address are:

  • Are NZ farmers well placed to face the future?
  • What do we need to change?
  • And what is happening overseas that we should know about?

Agriculture economist Susan Kilsby will talk on how NZ agriculture fits in with the rest of the world.

Topics she will cover include political pressure, interest rates and inflation.

The fourth webinar will be a science session looking at NDDT's Future Farm Systems trial updates and other scientific topics.

The current project commenced June 2021 and compares the productivity, profitability and impact on people and the environment on three farms:

According to the latest NDDT farm trial update, dry conditions and 10cm soil temperatures in the range of 22-30 degrees have dropped grass growth rates and cover further.

Palm kernel expeller (PKE) is being fed to milk within fat evaluation index (FEI) limits on the Current and Alternative Pasture farms. Baleage is also being fed now as pasture intakes are dropping.

The Low Emissions farm is feeding home grown baleage but this will reduce or halt if kikuyu growth lifts as residuals will rise quickly.

"Alternative Pasture cows continue to milk better than the other farms due to significantly higher ME and crude protein content compared to kikuyu pastures."

More like this

Made in Northland: Hansen Products

New Zealand has a wealth of design and manufacturing ability, producing productive and cost-effective products for the agricultural sector. Mark Daniel takes a closer look at Northland-based Hansen Products, catching up with managing director Steve Sharpe.

70% less soil moved!

Kverneland distributor Power Farming says its KultiStrip System will help farmers to cultivate environmentally, while improving yields and profitability.

Farmers focus on sustainability

Manawatu dairy farmers Wendy and Richard Ridd consider the environment extensively when making decisions on their farm that runs to 260 hectares, with a milking platform of 196 cows.

Featured

NZEI unhappy with funding cut for teachers

Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says that while educators will support the Government’s investment in learning support, they’re likely to be disappointed that it has been paid for by defunding expert teachers.

EU regulations unfairly threaten $200m exports

A European Union regulation ensuring that the products its citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide threatens $200m of New Zealand beef and leather exports.

Bionic Plus back on vet clinic shelves

A long-acting, controlled- release capsule designed to protect ewes from internal parasites during the lambing period is back on the market following a comprehensive reassessment.

National

Machinery & Products

New Holland combines crack 50 years

New Holland is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction its Twin Rotor threshing and separation technology, which has evolved…

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Double standards

OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".

Debt monster

OPINION: It's good news that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has slashed $1.1 billion from new spending, citing "a seismic global…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter