Special Reports
Young beef protein solution
Mīti smokey kānuka and honey beef bites were a hit at the Fieldays, a protein snack that could be one of the solutions to the dairy industry’s non-replacement calves. Words Sheryl Haitana.
Awaking the sleepy beef-on-dairy giant
Pāmu’s beef-on-dairy strategy is maturing from concept to large-scale operational reality, with the state-owned enterprise on track for its aspirational target of rearing all non-replacement dairy calves by 2030. Words Kara Tait.
Paddock to plate productivity
Taranaki dairy farmer LeAnne Blakelock has launched a Rose Gold Veal brand in an attempt to reduce bobby calves and connect her dairy business closer to the beef value chain. Words Sheryl Haitana, Photos Natalie Waugh.
Growing the beef pie
Advancing beef-on-dairy will create win–win opportunities for dairy and beef farmers to improve returns and make emissions savings for the pastoral sector. Words Anne Lee.
Berf-on-Dairy Progeny sire list
A sire list for the Dairy–Beef Progeny Test 2025 mating will be published on Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s website in October. Words Sandra Taylor.
Wearable lessons
Cow wearables can provide a treasure trove of information, and for South Canterbury farmer Tom Lambie, the technology has delivered some real gems that have led to big gains in productivity and performance.
Words Anne Lee, Photos Holly Lee.
A closer look at wearable technology
As more and more farmers adopt wearables, new research aims to assess how they affect reproductive performance. Words Paul Edwards, DairyNZ Senior Scientist.
What does rumination data really give us?
With wearable technology able to show us more information about rumination habits of our cows, what are we able to find out? Words Ian Lean, MD Scibus and Adjunct Professor, University of Sydney.
Challenges of change
With a record milk price in farmers’ sights, the idea of hanging up the clusters and switching off the milking plant in favour of carrying out some other activity on their land seems nonsensical for all but a couple of higher-risk yet high-returning horticultural activities. Words Anne Lee.
A digestible exit industry
Bay of Plenty dairy farmer and kiwifruit orchard owner David Jensen has experienced the ups and downs of both industries and shares some insights for those farmers who are thinking about investing in horticulture. Words David Jensen.