Systems
Episode 10 – Is maize the answer to growing more feed on farm?
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.
Driving out greenhouse gases
A Southland couple have bought the farm they were sharemilking and are taking part in the Carbon Neutral Dipton study. Anne Lee reports. Photos by Edwin Mabonga.
Stepping lighter in the north
A Northland sharemilking couple are making their mark on the environment of the farm where they live and work.
By Delwyn Dickey. Photos: Malcolm Pullman
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.
Pasture management is where it starts
The long-held, fundamental tenet of getting the stocking rate and calving date right is confirmed with the data analysis, Anne Lee reports.
Farming in the sweet spot
Not enough is done to define the sweet spot in dairy farming. While the term is used readily, farmers do not know what it looks like. Chris Lewis writes.
Future Farm Systems programme plots a course
As farmers lower emissions they will adapt their systems. By Elaine Fisher.
