AS FEDERATED Farmers warms up for its national conference and annual meeting in Ashburton this week, it’s timely to take a look at how the lobby group operates. 

IAN PROUDFOOT’S article on the Budget in June 2 Rural News deserves a response, particularly as his claims on biosecurity funding cuts are completely wrong.

THE TWO main fertiliser manufacturers have agreed to develop a spreadability rating system for their products.

PLACENTAS WERE never part of Angela Payne’s plans when she started in business in 2002 supplying ‘waste’ animal products to a few niche clients.

DON’T FORGET body condition when doing your budgets through winter, says Massey University’s Professor Paul Kenyon.

DISEASE PREVENTION is the number one priority for calf rearers, judging by a show of hands of delegates during a workshop session at last week’s South Island Dairy Event.

ILLEGAL RELEASE of wild pigs in a TB free area is putting cattle and livelihoods at risk, says a Waikato sheep and beef farmer.

TWO ALTERNATIVES to chemical control of varroa show promise but may not be complementary, judging by papers presented at the National Beekeepers Association’s annual conference last month.

RX PLASTICS revealed a major addition to its irrigation technology range at National Fieldays.  

New rules for meat exports to China will be implemented today, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye say.