Public articles

The rewards for good preparation leading into calf rearing won’t just be felt this spring, they’ll go on for years as well-grown heifers become productive, long-time members of the herd.

Maize is pretty amazing for dairy farmers with both environmental and animal feed benefits that align with Fonterra’s target of 80% home-grown feed. Hear about Nestle’s recent presentation at a FAR maize field day, how maize is expanding into Southland with short maturing hybrids and how a Waikato dairy farmer is hitting $9,000/ha operating profit regardless of the payout.

Investors in major global funds are demanding that their investment is made into the reversal of the depletion of natural capital around the world. How can New Zealand farmers, who have higher levels of soil fertility and soil carbon stocks than other countries, cash in on this trend? By Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Two farmers and an agri-tech innovator share their pasture philosophy and learnings from top performing dairy farmers in how they focus on pasture utilisation that leads to better outcomes from people, profitability and the environment. 

Connecting farmers with workers has never been easier thanks to Canterbury dairy farmer turned app developer, Tony Dodunski and his online platform Ag Assist. Words by Sheryl Haitana.

Journalist Anne Hardie, along with Sheryl Haitana and Sarah Perriam-Lampp, talk with Reefton dairy farmer, Tom Oats, Lely Waikato sales manager, Tristan McLean and Rob McBeth of Peak Agricultural Consultants about how composting cow barns (‘mootels’) can make a real difference in high-rainfall climates.

Looking an excuse to get out and have some fun while raising funds for a good cause? Why not dust off your ball gown or tuxedo and head along to The Big Ball at Lincoln in June and support rural mental health.

Journalist Anne Hardie, along with Sheryl Haitana and Sarah Perriam-Lampp, talk with Reefton dairy farmer, Tom Oats, Lely Waikato sales manager, Tristan McLean and Rob McBeth of Peak Agricultural Consultants about how composting cow barns (‘mootels’) can make a real difference in high-rainfall climates.

This episode explains how New Zealand’s dairy industry can be less reliant on China with demand from Middle East, Africa & South East Asia alongside reduced production from other dairy exporters. Guests include Christina Alvarado, Commercial Manager for Dairy Data and Insights, NZX, Hon. Todd McClay, Minister of Trade and Sjoerd Hofstee, Dairy Journalist, Netherlands.

Editor of Dairy Exporter, Sheryl Haitana and co-host Deputy Editor, Anne Lee, chat with employers including Bernadette Kelly from Pāmu (Landcorp Farming), Emma Poole, Young Farmer of the Year Winner, dairy farmer & vet and Erynne Fields of Devon Dairies, who reveal the rewards they are getting by nurturing women working on farms.

The 30% emission reduction by 2030 target was set by Fonterra in November 2023 and the dairy co-op is counting on its 9000 farmers to cut methane with 7% of that total coming from farming more efficiently. So can it be done? Guests include Pete Morgan, Graham Kerr and Jason Rolfe.

Where others saw the issue of bobby calves in the dairy industry as a serious issue, Alan McDermont and Julia Galway saw an opportunity: to produce world class pasture-raised veal that everyone could enjoy.