THE MOOD on dairy farms around the country has lifted into positive territory as rain falls and pasture recovery is better than expected, says DairyNZ regional team manager Craig McBeth.

HAWKE’S BAY dairy farmer David Hunt says people in rural areas should not be afraid to offer help to fellow farmers and friends they think might be suffering from stress and/or depression. The drought caused many farmers to struggle to cope and Rural Support Trusts have been active. 

BAD WEATHER last year wiped 14% off total farm income in the UK, says Defra. Farmers’ total income dropped by $1.435 billion in 2012 to $8.57b.

FREE ICE cream made from fresh New Zealand milk would be a treat for any kid. But children from Pt England school in Auckland got to try 18 different flavours as judges in the Kid’s Choice ice cream awards.

LAST WEEK’S meeting in Dannevirke about the impacts of One Plan on dairy farmers was scary for a number of reasons.

PLANS BY Labour to slash household electricity prices have been criticised by some in rural sector. 

THE 11 finalists competing for the 2013 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year title are split between contract milkers and farm managers – as well as age, experience, and farm size.

WORK AND careful management has transformed dealing with effluent from a major chore into a valuable resource for a Whangarei couple.

MPI’S RELEASE of a ‘formal’ animal welfare strategy affirms New Zealand farmers’ leadership in looking after their livestock, says Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills.

ON DISPLAY on the Origin Agroup stand at the Central Districts Field Days were two of the latest hay rakes from Pottinger – the TOP 852 C and the TOP 972 C.