Serratia-linked Mastitis a wake-up call for Waikato farmer
Waikato farmer Craig Clausen had an unpleasant experience after an outbreak of mastitis cases on farm, suspected to be caused by the pathogen Serratia.
Swedes who recently visited an award-winning Waikato farm were impressed by our farming, says the New Zealand Farm Environment (NZFE) Trust.
Delegates from the Swedish Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Agriculture on February 9 visited Gray and Marilyn Baldwin's organic dairy farm near Putaruru. The Baldwins and their sharemilkers Hamish and Jane Putt were Supreme winners of the 2009 Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
NZFE chairman Jim Cotman says the trust was asked by MAF to host the delegation, visiting to study agricultural policy and ecological production. "We saw this as an opportunity to highlight [NZ farmers'] good environmental practices."
The Swedish visitors were impressed by the tree planting and riparian protection work on the 138ha property. They also got to drink from a fresh water spring.
Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt told the visitors about pasture management, the Emission Trading Scheme, nutrient budgeting, tree planting, water protection and effluent disposal.
Baldwin told the visitors his philosophy was to get "high quality and profitable milk out of one end of the system, and clean water out the other. We have learned that what is good for the environment is great for business."
Larry Bilodeau, chief executive of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, explained the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA). These showcase good farming techniques to the wider farming community.
The 10 Swedes represented different political parties. At the Baldwin's farm they met the Swedish ambassador for New Zealand and Australia and other guests including former BFEA winners and representatives of DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb NZ, Waikato Regional Council and Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
There are opportunities outside the farmgate for young farmers to further develop their skills, says 2025 Primary Industries Emerging Leader Award winner Bridie Virbickas.
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