Dairy farmers welcome NZ’s revised 2050 methane target
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
OPINION: We're excited to connect with dairy farmers at the upcoming South Island Agricultural Field Days.
This event will provide a great opportunity to connect with our upper South Island regional team who are passionate about supporting dairy farmers to succeed, by providing farm systems solutions and connecting farmers with the right people.
We will be showcasing some of our farmer tools and resources, which have been developed with DairyNZ's research and farm systems expertise, to support success on farm. These include our Facts & Figures book, body condition score and pasture field guides.
There are also a range of interesting events coming up across the region. These regional events are helping to provide greater access to our scientists, experts and our research, with a focus on farm systems application, while continuing to support farmers to connect with other farmers in their local region.
Dairy training the next generation:
We will also have some of the Dairy Training Limited team, a DairyNZ subsidiary, on site to talk about their NextGen programme, which is currently seeking both host farmers and Year 12 and 13 students to join.
This programme is designed to help grow the next generation of skilled dairy farmers. NextGen is a NZQA-accredited programme designed for year 12 and 13 school leavers, providing them with the foundation for a successful career in dairy farming.
It includes hands on pre-employment training, six months of on-farm employment, which includes weekly training days and ongoing pastoral care and support as they start their dairy farming career.
Come and talk about how Dairy Training is helping shape the next generation of skilled dairy farmers and consider if being a host farmer trainer is something suitable for your farming operation, or whether you know students who may be interested in this unique opportunity.
Try to reel in a prize:
Alongside connecting with some of the DairyNZ team, each day brings the opportunity to win.
Come equipped and prepared to test your farm reeling skills, with the fastest adult and child winning a prize each day.
Where to find us:
You can visit the team outside at booth M120, in the middle section of vendors.
Come along to learn more about DairyNZ and what we are doing to support your farm's future. We look forward to seeing you there.
Anna Hall is DairyNZ regional manager
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…