Brand Spotlight

The scramble for supplementary feed last season is a good forewarning for farmers to do their budgets and plan early for maize silage feed reserves this season. Words Sheryl Haitana.

The Angus and Charolais stud based in South Canterbury has seen the intergenerational Hargreaves family fuse innovation and tradition as they have moved to diversify and future-proof their farming operation. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Meridian might not be farmers, but they’re experts in powering them and know moving day is a stressful time.

There can be a power imbalance when a farm owner and potential contract milker or sharemilker sit down at a table to negotiate their contract, still both parties will benefit more from a fair negotiation. Words Sheryl Haitana.

Calculating Feed Conversion Efficiency is a key metric for understanding overall farm efficiency as it reflects how efficiently feed is converted into milksolids, directly influencing productivity, profitability and emissions. Words Sheryl Haitana.

Having daily information on individual cow health has enabled Taranaki dairy farmers Sarah and Wayne Neilson to turn on the engine of their genetically capable cows and get them back in calf more easily. Words Sheryl Haitana.

The New Zealand dairy industry has made great progress but still has a fair way to go to get farmers to stop using antibiotics prophylactically and instead use them selectively for a cow with a proven and identified infection, veterinarian and DairySmart Chief Executive Ben Davidson says. Words Sheryl Haitana.

Autumn is the time to look forward and begin planning for next season. One of the most important targets is pasture eaten and what you do now, in terms of pasture renewal, is key to making sure you have the feed available. Anne Lee finds out how you make a great pasture renewal plan.

Growing grass in South Canterbury can be a challenge with pasture performance relying heavily on the availability of water from irrigation schemes and what Mother Nature dishes out. One farm has been on a mission to tackle the issue of pasture performance by controlling the controllables.

With the dairy and beef market both looking positive for 2025, beef finishers will be looking for quality dairy beef genetics to buy. The proof behind those genetics starts with an ear tag. Words Sheryl Haitana.