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Bruce Orr
Two Southdown rams shared the honours at Canterbury A&P Association’s elite ram & ewe sale last November, both making $14,000.
Of 238 rams offered, 77 were passed but all 24 ewes sold. Rams averaged $1781 and ewes $234 to total $286,725, back on last year’s $306,120.
“While overall sales are down on last year, the clearance rate was good and averages kept up with 2013,” said PGG Wrightson NZ livestock genetics manager Bruce Orr. The drop in sales was disappointing but a sign of the times and buyers were getting “very good value” with rams, given the number and price of prime lambs they could sire, he added.
“The overall picture for sheep and beef looks pleasing when you consider the global outlook for dairy farming, particularly taking into account the large disparity in the 2013 and 2014 proposed payouts.”
The two sale-topping Southdowns were from BC Macaulay’s Maclaka stud, Christchurch, and Chris Medlicott’s Clifton Downs, Waimate.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Rare Canterbury mudfish and tadpole shrimp have been discovered at an environmental restoration site at Bennetts Stream in North Canterbury which is part of a biodiversity initiative being carried out by Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Synlait is hoping that its proposed recapitalisation plan will help retain its spooked farmer supplier base.
The new chair of the Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) board, Sir David Carter, is pleading for public support for this year's Christchurch Show.
The Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm (LUDF) is crediting a raft of improved management practises in achieving a big turnaround in empty rates.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
