Displaying items by tag: AgFirst

Contract milking is a good introduction to self-employment, says Northland AgFirst consultant Kim Robinson.

Overall the dairy industry is more professional and in a good space, but volatility will continue, says James Allen, retiring AgFirst chairman.

Despite a rise in payout and profitability, dairy farmer confidence in Waikato and Bay of Plenty is relatively subdued.

Compliance is growing more intense and complicated, worrying hill-country sheep and beef farmers in the central North Island.

Sharemilkers – especially those with 50/50 contracts -- must be on guard against the risk of Mycoplasma bovis if they are planning to move at the end of the season or to buy new stock.

People often like to talk about the good old days.

AgFirst dairy consultant Stacey Belton, Hamilton, has been named the Farmax Emerging Rural Professional of the Year. She beat four other contestants.

Dairy farmers are moving away from breeding bobby calves in favour of producing the quality dairy/beef calves needed by beef farmers.

If problems now facing sharemilkers aren’t sorted out soon others will be put off entering the dairy industry, says an agribusiness consultant.

Northland knows about summer dry and even drought, but this one could be a “bit of a doozy”, says Gareth Baynham, an AgFirst Northland farm consultant.