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

Being a rural vet is ‘fantastic’

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.

Editorial: Long overdue!

OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.

National

Helping protect sheep from parasites

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter