Nearly a quarter of New Zealand milk is being managed via milk hedging tools, with more dairy farmers and processors looking to manage their risk profile. In a volatile world where milk price, milk production and onfarm costs are fluid, should farmers be locking in more of their business portfolio and if so, what tools are best suited to your farm? Words Sheryl Haitana.

David Stewart was a displaced Highlander who decided to move his young family to New Zealand in the 1880s after contracting tuberculosis, in the hopes the climate would improve his health. He purchased 80 acres of land at Hiwinui and died soon after from TB, leaving his wife living in a tent with two young kids. Five generations later, the Stewart family remain at Hiwinui and in 2024 have been recognised for their commitment to farm stewardship, winning the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Regional Supreme Award and the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award. Words Sheryl Haitana Photos Brad Hanson.

Three studies using gene technologies in pasture show big promise for New Zealand. Words Anne Lee

The journey towards GM begins with education. People need to understand the genetic technologies and the risks and benefits associated with it, for people – including farmers – to get onboard. Words Anne Lee.

Variable rate fertiliser application is a key component to reducing overall fertiliser volume and reducing overall spend.
Words Sheryl Haitana

Optimising soil fertility to support pasture growth is a first principles approach for Kieran and Leonie Guiney. They are managing fertiliser cost while meeting return expectations for themselves and their sharemilking partners.
Words Anne Lee

An effluent system upgrade at the Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) is helping to make more effective use of the $13,000- $14,000 worth of nutrients cows deposit on the yard and farm dairy each year.
Words Anne Lee

When times are tough on the farm, fertiliser may be one of the items left off the shopping list.
Words Kerry Dwyer

Tapping into funding has helped a Northland farm expand on its planting journey.
Words Glenys Christian. Photos Malcolm Pullman.