All articles

Forecasting your season ahead and picking the right tax payment system may help to avoid that unexpected eye-watering tax bill.
Words Trudi Ballantyne

Johne’s disease is a hidden yet widespread threat to dairy herds, silently reducing productivity and profitability, but proactive testing, culling, and biosecurity measures can help farmers take control. Words Kara Dawson.

There have been some catastrophic outbreaks of Salmonella this year. Salmonella can strike without warning and spread quickly at any time, so what lessons can we learn from these recent outbreaks? Words Sheryl Haitana.

Many dairy calves who have just been weaned will be heading off to grazing blocks soon. How can we support these calves to thrive during their first summer? Words DairyNZ.

Taking the guesswork out of when to drench calves, via better testing and monitoring of worms, is one way farmers can help reduce the issue of drench resistance. Words Sheryl Haitana, Photos Emma McCarthy.

Drench resistance is already a widespread problem in the sheep industry, so how can dairy farmers stay ahead of the game, to avoid the same fate? Regular testing and monitoring are the keys to staying ahead, according to our guests in this episode, who discuss the tools and technology available to farmers right now.

Staff retention is not a new issue and was the reason behind the Sharemilking Agreements Act of 1937. But a signed agreement is only the beginning – farmers need to communicate better to ensure good ongoing relationships with their sharemilker or contract milker. Words Louise Gibson.

Headlines about triple drench resistance in the sheep industry are sending waves through the rest of the primary sector. So what about our dairy industry? Words Ginny Dodunski.

Implementing a good feed strategy for calves is half the equation when it comes to worm control. Owl Farm has found using chicory to increase protein for their calves has ultimately had the added benefit of reduced exposure to worms. Words Sheryl Haitana.

Agriculture businesses and organisations are stepping up to help farmers save time with reporting responsibilities and to unlock the value of new devices and software tools. DairyNZ’s 2023 Workplace Productivity survey found New Zealand farmers spend approximately one hour every day on administrative tasks like paperwork and reporting.

The following article, on dairy’s social licence to operate – perspectives from dairy technologies – is based on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme report by Esther Donkersloot. Esther is a 2024 Kellogg scholar and an LIC scientist (quantitative genetics).

The following article is based on the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarship report by Kylie Leonard. Kylie is a 2023 Nuffield scholar, and Taupō District dairy farmer.

With a rosy start to the global milk picture for NZ farmers, and downward pressure on some key onfarm costs, farmers could be in line for a better margin profit this season. Words Rosalind Crickett.

Educating and upskilling people on dairy farms is imperative to driving down risk and creating a more profitable business. Words Sheryl Haitana.

With more significant weather events occurring, insurance companies globally are applying a new policy for farmers to insure against events rather than insuring assets. Words Sheryl Haitana

An online survey of 518 people was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 with those who work or live on farms to understand their insurance needs, perceptions and behaviours.