The nuts and bolts of adding value to non-replacement calves
Strategic use of sexed cross-bred semen and beef semen, as well as low birthweight Hereford bulls, helped Dairy Trust Taranaki drop the number of bobby calves on one of its farms from 20 per cent to just five per cent last season.
Mandated recycling ushers in a new era for ag plastics
The Ministry for the Environment’s announcement of a regulated product stewardship scheme for agricultural plastics marks a defining moment for sustainability in New Zealand’s rural sector.
Leadership change at Miraka
Taupo-based dairy company Miraka has begun searching for a new CEO following Karl Gradon’s recent departure for personal and family reasons.
In the interim, chief operating officer Richard Harding has assumed leadership as acting CEO, to ensure a smooth transition, the company says.
Inland port enhances regional trade
Marlborough’s first inland port has officially opened, marking a significant milestone in regional trade and transport infrastructure.
Operated by QuayConnect, Port Nelson’s logistics division, the facility is strategically located in Riverlands to support the growing freight demands of the region, reducing transport costs, supporting economic growth and streamlining supply chains.
Extra encouragement for young members
A new committee for Young Radicles has been established, operated by and for members aged 35 years and younger, and an associate councillor position on the organisation’s executive has been created for members in the same age group.
New leader brings invaluable experience
Dr Scott Champion has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Foundation for Arable Research, effective 1 July.
FAR board chair Steven Bierema says his skills are well matched to the developing needs of New Zealand’s arable industry and its growers.
Cow collar company eyes market growth
Afimilk has appointed Waikato-based Justin Miller as its new general manager for New Zealand and Australia.
“The cow monitoring collar market has seen significant growth in recent years,” he says.
Always room for passionate, dedicated people
Penny Ranger from Waotu and Shamus Young from Tapanui are FMG’s agricultural scholarship winners for 2025.
Change of guard at fert council
Dairy farmer and president of Hawke’s Bay Federated Farmers Jim Galloway has taken over from Anders Crofoot as chair of the Fertiliser Quality Council.
A key priority is driving further adoption of the Fertmark and Spreadmark schemes, which have delivered significant cost savings for the industry through improved nutrient management.
Mussel-ing into the top spot
The coveted Zanda McDonald Award has named its 2025 winners, recognising two exceptional young leaders from the trans-Tasman primary sector.
Australian Jack O’Connor and New Zealander Maegen Blom have taken out the top honours, marking a significant milestone for the award.
Don’t wait until dry off
Words: Zoetis
Autumn is a critical time to address parasite control in cattle.
From spring through to autumn, young stock with low or no immunity are mass producers of parasite eggs which become infective larval stages, reaching a peak on pastures in autumn and early winter.
Even if young stock do not graze on the dairy platform, there will still be better survival and likely higher numbers of parasites in autumn.
Smarter farming together for better performance
A strategic partner and Ravensdown customer for more than a decade, Dairy Holdings utilises the full suite of Ravensdown’s offerings to support consistent improvements in on-farm performance.
Colin Glass, Dairy Holdings CEO, says a key to farming smarter is having an absolute view of all production inputs.
“Over the past five years alone, we have taken 6600 soil samples across Dairy Holding farms to be tested and analysed
by Ravensdown.
Teaming up to break down silos
Gallagher and FarmIQ are simplifying data management for farmers with the launch of a powerful new integration that will help them harness the power of having all their data in one place.
And that’s exactly what manager Bayden Andersen wants as he works to ramp up productivity, cashflow and economic farm surplus (EFS) for Canning Estate.
Five years of intensification have laid the groundwork for every hectare to grow more kilograms of liveweight and meat.
Online sales channel extends choice for farmers
Ravensdown’s venture arm, Agnition, has launched a new online sales platform giving Kiwis more choice in how they purchase fertiliser and other agricultural products.
Farmers keen to collaborate on Cali control
Farmers from across the country have jumped on board a unique programme designed to help them eliminate one of their most expensive and persistent weeds.
Plasback leading the way in agri plastic recycling
Plasback continues to lead the charge in New Zealand’s agricultural recycling space, achieving a record-breaking milestone in 2024 with 6800 tonnes of farm plastics collected and diverted from burying or burning practices.
Ryegrass is on the attack
Words: Neil Waddingham, Bayer New Zealand
Ryegrass is on the attack and time isn’t on our side.
Seed supplier plays it cool
Seed supplier plays it cool
A big new facility in Hamilton is helping put premium grass seed on-farm faster this autumn, and in peak condition for sowing.
Novel technology harnesses the power of microbes
Manawatu-based H&T Agronomics has teamed up with a Californian ag tech company to launch a new microbial seed treatment here this season.
Avoid the slippery slope
If you don’t plan before autumn sowing, things can go downhill fast.