LAST WEEK’S dairy auction result was a mixed bag for farmers, says ASB economist Nathan Penny.  He notes that prices fell in all categories except whole milk powder, which rose 1.6% compared to the previous auction.

CALVING HAS gone well and production and mating are on track throughout the country, says Craig McBeth, DairyNZ’s general manager extension.   “So attention to detail in the core drivers of farming systems is working for farmers,” he told Dairy News. 

SHEEP AND beef farmers may be doing OK at the moment, but what happens when the wind changes?

IN PREPARING for the 'Young Horticulturist of the Year' competition next week, the six finalists will stretch beyond the boundaries of horticulture.

INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER demand for organic food is continuing to grow, says organic certifier Biogro.

LET FODDER beet grow out rather than raid it for a summer feed if at all possible, says Agricom’s Northland North Island sales manager Ben Trotter.

I READ with interest in the last issue of Rural News about John Key’s visit to a large asparagus growing operation in Horowhenua where he commented that his Government is a strong supporter of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

THE TIDE appears to be running in on the numbers of students choosing studies that may lead to agri sector careers. We may be witnessing the end of schools careers advisors nudging only their less able students towards the industry.

LIC’S $11M spend on R&D is high by NZ primary industry standards, says chief executive Wayne McNee. The core business of sire proving and getting the best bulls, the development of new IT products and longer-term R&D took most of the money. Some research is government supported through Primary Growth Partnership and other funding.

DAIRY FARM running costs haven’t abated after increasing a lot in 2007-08 and they are now out of kilter with the consumer price index, LIC chairman Murray King says.