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Is platemetering a thing of the past?
Hamish Hammond ranks pasture-measuring as one of the highest priorities of the business.
Booking a week at the beach
Farmers have myriad ways of successfully dealing with Northland’s challenging landscape, but now’s the time to take a break, writes Andrew Booth.
Top agribusiness talents shine as Zanda McDonald Award shortlist unveiled
The Zanda McDonald Award, has revealed their shortlist of 10 young professionals from Australia and New Zealand for the 2024 award.
Hazards highlighted with drought forecast tool
A new drought forecasting tool will help farmers make timely decisions which could bring financial and emotional benefits. Elaine Fisher reports.
Data driving decisions
Science, data, modelling and software will be pivotal to meeting the challenges New Zealand faces in order to keep producing the best food in the world.
Facing the squeeze
Despite recent market recoveries, many farmers could benefit from more independent scrutiny of their plans, Phil Edmonds writes.
Saving peat with a barn
A barn housing 1000 Holstein Friesian cows won the 2023 Waikato Regional Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, for its commitment to productive genetic gain and precision effluent management. Sheryl Haitana visited the three siblings who are the fifth generation of the Singh family dairy farming in New Zealand.
Keeping staff morale over calving
Happy, healthy calves have made for a happy Jess Lea, the calf-rearer.
A holistic approach to monitoring water quality
Checking the eDNA of water in the river crossing through their farm has had a positive impact, Penelope Drysdale writes.
Breeding beef in the dairy
Pamu is now rearing more than 50% of its calves born on the dairy farms, with a target to get to 75% in the next three years, and 100% by 2030.
Purposeful lives for calves
Calving ease and the animal’s value through the chain to end market are major considerations in the drive to reduce bobby calf numbers for Waikato’s Owl Farm. Louise Hanlon reports.
Why dairy farmers should pick proven beef sires
Using proven beef sires over dairy cows adds value to surplus calves, AgFirst Agribusiness Consultant Bob Thomson writes.
But, what does it cost?
A group of 15 farms across the country are focusing on lower ‘per-unit’ cost of production with a view to helping identify where farmers may minimise impacts of lower payouts, Anne-Marie Wells writes.
Where’s the sun?
t satisfied with a dull, wet spring, the weather gods delivered more than 100mm of rain in 24 hours, Anieka Templer writes.