Federated Farmers chief executive Graham Smith last week spoke at the Future Farms Conference in Wellington. Here are excerpts from his speech.

WHETHER MOTIVATED by profitability or a drive for continuous improvement, growing staff productivity is an ongoing challenge facing all businesses. 

A Police investigation that spanned several months has led to the recovery of a tractor worth over $120,000.

The New Zealand dairy industry is urging Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) partners not to compromise on the quality of the deal to get it done quickly. 

IT’S WEANING time for the first of the calves from the trial at Massey University looking at possible benefits of differing milk diets and machine feeding compared with hand feeding on calf growth rate and subsequent performance of dairy cattle.

MECHANICAL CULTIVATION of paddocks for producing summer forage or fodder crop happens at a time when high intensity local storms are common, adding substantial risk to the practice.

DairyNZ faced pointed questions about the sector’s staff shortages at its annual meeting earlier this month, but the day after, on a field trip, the board and senior management heard one farm’s solution. 

Dairy farmers are being told that there are opportunities to increase profitability even when times are tough.

New Zealand’s top Jersey cow breeders converge in Waikato next month for the North Island Championship.

Before heading off with a trailer or caravan in tow, first check the towbar to ensure all bolts attaching it to the vehicle are tight, there is no corrosion present or cracking in the welds or structure and that the towball itself is secured properly to the tongue, says towbar maker Best Bars.