RESEARCH AND Development hubs such as Lincoln, Ruakura and Palmerston North are a great asset but they should have more input from private companies as well as the traditional institutions of the universities and Crown Research Institutes, says Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

FERTILISER COMPANY Ballance says it shares farmers’ sentiment that nitrate inhibitors containing DCD should be allowed back on the market. 

THE IRISH dairy industry is preparing for the lifting of restrictions by the European Union (EU) that limit the amount of milk farmers throughout Europe can produce. The quota under the common agricultural policy (CAP) comes off in 2015.

SIX EUROPEAN nations’ dairy farms and research bodies have launched a €3.1m (NZ$4.8m), three-year project to develop technology integrating robotic milking of cows with grazing.

NUFFIELD IRELAND has released a report ‘Dairy Cooperatives for the 21st Century’ written by County Waterford dairy farmer David Murphy, reports ICOS, the Irish Cooperative Organisation Society.

FONTERRA’S MILK for Schools scheme has secured its first co-sponsor – Fisher & Paykel, supplying Fonterra with discounted fridges for each of the participating schools. 

FENCING WATERWAYS on-farm has many benefits. It helps stabilise banks by preventing treading and erosion, and reduces the risk of stock bogging or drowning.

CUTTING MILKING time by up to an hour could be a big reward for the 160-190 people who turned up to the MilkSmart seminar held at Morrinsville last Tuesday.

NEXT TIME you’re advised on cow nutrition, ask where the data used to support the advice comes from, because if it’s not New Zealand, it probably isn’t relevant to your farm.

MASSEY FERGUSON has expanded its current MF7600 series tractors by adding four new models ranging from 140–175hp. Features include award-winning technology and the latest fuel-efficient engines, the company says.