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Funding for bio farming
THE DAIRY industry is funding a scoping study into biological farming systems.DairyNZ will sponsor the study by New Zealand Biological Farming Systems Research Centre (NZBFSRC). The study will identify...
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Farmlands eyes 50 stores
RURAL RETAILER Farmlands says it has taken another step in its quest to become the North Island's dominant player.The rural co-op will open its 47th store in Inglewood, Taranaki on January 30 when it...
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Dry, Taupo north: need to feed
AS Greenpeace launches its annual attack on dairying's use of palm kernel, drought is looming over key agricultural areas, threatening to put pressure on feed availability.NIWA's latest National...
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National’s win brings TAF closer to fruition
THE RE-ELECTION of a National-led Government has boosted Fonterra’s chances of sewing up the TAF (trading among farmers) proposal by the end of next year.Fonterra chairman Henry van der Heyden hopes to...
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Naki’s brightest spark
FONTERRA'S NEW director David MacLeod, South Taranaki, has been wired into the dairy industry for over two decades.When he left school he took up an apprenticeship as an electrician and much of his...
View ArticleWestland forecast payout stays
HOKITIKA CO-OP Westland Milk Products has reiterated its $6.60-$7/kgMS forecast for 2011-12.The announcement, made last week at its annual meeting in Shantytown, contrasts with Fonterra's late October...
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Water restrictions loom
ABOUT 3500 Waikato farmers will soon require resource consent to take extra water for dairy shed use.A recent Environment Court ruling has paved the way for the Waikato Regional Council to implement...
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Dairy prices tipped to swing
DAIRY PRICES will continue to fluctuate as economic uncertainty grips the EU and the US, says Fonterra chairman Henry van der Heyden."I think we will see prices up and down, there is no trend...
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Hartnell up for hero award
JOHN HARTNELL, chairman of Federated Farmers Bees and a former Feds national board member, is a semi-finalist in the 2012 Kiwibank Local Heroes Award, recognising his work as "generalissimo" of the...
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Organics and anti-GM advocate now MP
SOIL & HEALTH Association of New Zealand spokesperson Steffan Browning has become an MP by virtue of being 10th on the Green Party list.“We are delighted with Steffan’s victory,” said Soil &...
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Early Christmas present for dairy farmers
FONTERRA HAS upped its forecast payout for the 2012 season 20c/kgMS to $6.90-$7.00 for a fully shared up farmer.The revised forecast comprises a Farmgate Milk Price of $6.50/kg milksolids (MS) and an...
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Southland Feds demand grazing rule deferral
FEDERATED FARMERS Southland is demanding Environment Southland defer implementation of new rules making dairy grazing a discretionary activity. ES previously said it will enact tomorrow (December 14)...
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Strawberry slip prompts review
MAF DIRECTOR-general Wayne McNee says he's asked for a detailed review of last month's strawberry growing kit biosecurity incident but the response to the recall has been blasted by Hort NZ.Buzzy packs...
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Beef niche beckons
NEW ZEALAND has a unique product and the story to go with it, says an innovative marketer.Gerard Hickey, Firstlight Foods, told farmers at a recent BLNZ field day in Southern Hawkes Bay that New...
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Turbo charge theme for business conference
THE CREAM of New Zealand's large dairy farmers will gather in Palmerston North in March for their annual conference.The New Zealand Dairy Business Conference – formerly Large Herds Conference – will...
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Clean Streams Accord report prompts F&G flak
THE LATEST Clean Streams Accord report shows dairy farmers are heading in the right direction environmentally, says Fonterra, but Fish and Game has questioned the report’s credibility.F&G chief...
View ArticleEditorial - Dairy punt not worth it
HORIZONS REGIONAL Council's mooted investment in dairying copped flak last week from many quarters, but the idea isn't as daft as it sounds.With $9m to invest, from a financial perspective the return...
View ArticleTAF second vote still vital
MOST EVENINGS I get calls from concerned Fonterra shareholders asking what progress we are making on getting another vote on TAF (trading among farmers). We are steadily adding signatures to petitions...
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Selling store an opportunity
STRONG STORE lamb prices present a huge opportunity for breeders to raise flock performance, says a Wairarapa farm consultant.Chris Garland was among speakers at a recent Beef and Lamb New Zealand...
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Spare some sheep for dog training
I HAVE been surprised to hear farm workers say their bosses won't allow them any sheep to train their dogs on. I suppose it isn't surprising as sheep prices have never been so high.In the past it has...
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