‘Working smarter’ key to attracting staff
Technology can help dairy farmers attract and retain staff but efficiency improvements can vary between milking systems, a scientist says.
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Dairy
Smart collars reduce working hours
Smart collars reduce working hours
Maungatua Dairies sharemilker Cameron Edgecombe put smart collars on his cows in spring to gain a better work-life balance and improve his herd's reproductive performance.Mating season technology appeals
Mating season technology appeals
The use of smart technology on dairy cows has many benefits but running a farm from your couch isn’t one of them, a Taieri dairy farmer says.Mid Canterbury farmers back from study trip full of ideas
Mid Canterbury farmers back from study trip full of ideas
Two of the nation's top environmental farmers, Phillip and Jocelyn Everest, know there's more work to do after an overseas study tour, writes Tim Cronshaw.
Red Meat
Fewer lambs in the South
Preliminary figures from a Beef + Lamb New Zealand report indicates fewer lambs were born in the South this year compared to last year.
Fewer lambs to affect supply
Fewer lambs to affect supply
The lamb crop is down by about one million, led by a South Island decline as a shrinking ewe flock and decrease in the lambing percentage takes a toll.Limousin steer sets record price
Limousin steer sets record price
A farming couple just outside of Ashburton are understood to have set a record prime cattle price after breaking the $4 a kilogram liveweight barrier with a Limousin steer.South Island lamb numbers drop ahead of Xmas
South Island lamb numbers drop ahead of Xmas
Potential significant shortfalls in lamb supply in the South Island in the lead-up to Christmas have been highlighted by Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Horticulture
‘Tuning’ session for harvesters
Growers are losing vast sums of wheat, barley and other crops being left in paddocks each year from combine harvesters failing to be correctly tuned.
Future Fields arable strategy launched
Future Fields arable strategy launched
Arable leaders have written up a new strategy to give cropping farmers the skills, quality assurance and infrastructure for their future growth and profitability.New apricot varieties to lengthen season
New apricot varieties to lengthen season
Central Otago apricots may soon be available before Christmas and through into March as the next step is taken in the development of new varieties.Seasonal workers hit by rental scams
Seasonal workers hit by rental scams
Seasonal workers desperate for accommodation in Wānaka and Queenstown are being scammed by people who do a runner with their bond and rent money.
People
Deer scientist off to new pastures
Dunedin deer scientist Jamie Ward is calling time on a nearly 30-year career.
Satisfaction comes from food growth
Satisfaction comes from food growth
A Canterbury farmer hasn’t been shy about taking up opportunities across the many walks of farming life, writes Tim Cronshaw.Community shaken by high-profile farmer's death
'Incredible mana': Community shaken by high-profile farmer's death
Police have named the high-profile Canterbury farmer who died suddenly following an incident at his farm in Ashburton Forks yesterday.Back on the farm, PhD in the wings
Back on the farm, PhD in the wings
Combining farming and science is in Lucy Bell’s genes.
Rural Events
Staff members celebrate 75 years of research
Research at Invermay Agricultural Centre for the past 25 years was the focus of a reunion near Mosgiel, an organiser says.
Community celebrates rural champions
Community celebrates rural champions
Otago Daily Times Rural Life champions Steve and Tracy Henderson celebrate their win with a community gathering on their Awarua farm last Thursday night.Electrification advocate wins green award
Electrification advocate wins green award
He has presented at more than 100 events, welcomed more than 12,000 visitors to his all-electric orchard near Cromwell and made close to 100 media appearances — and that is just this year.Meet with farmers lives up to name
Meet with farmers lives up to name
If restoring confidence in farmers was the goal, Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay more than succeeded at their public meeting in the South.
