Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
Kiwifruit growers are throwing their support behind dairy farmers suffering from two successive years of low payout.
Farmer support toolkits, prepared for Psa-affected kiwifruit growers, are being used by DairyNZ in a campaign to help dairy farmers.
Kiwifruit grower and Seeka Grower Council chairman Ian Greaves says after the Psa outbreak, the focus was to preserve life. He told the DairyNZ Farmers Forum that there were no grower suicides in the kiwifruit industry, after the outbreak of Psa.
"The rural sector is over-represented by suicides; it is preventable and we all have a role to play in it," he says.
Greaves says the kiwifruit industry is helping dairy farmers navigate through the downturn in prices.
The kiwifruit farmer support tool kits were prepared by the industry and it is not rocket science, he adds.
Greaves urged dairy farmers to look after each other but stressed it was important to look after themselves.
"No one is alone; you are there for your neighbour but first of all, look after yourself.
"Your cows won't be any good without you; your family and your community won't be any good without you."
Greaves says Psa affected 850 orchards, forcing growers to dig out entire orchards.
While capital value of orchards has bounced back, most growers went without income for several years.
"It didn't change to no profit like most dairy farmers are facing this year; we changed to no income and I picked my first crop since Psa last month.
"We had to pull out stumps and put in new plants; it's like forestry, you have to wait a long time.
"There has been no income for years from our orchards; yes, capital value is back and the banks are ready to lend us more money but cash flow and income have been devastated."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
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