Special Reports
Health and safety made easier with onfarm apps
Smart phone apps are now a useful, or even essential, tool with onfarm health and safety, Claire Ashton writes.
Squeezing fertility
Farmers should have a plan leading up to mating to minimise the hangover of yet another difficult season and what it will do to their reproductive results. Many cows were milked longer leading up to this season to take financial advantage of grass growth, but it could all catch up with them at mating, LIC’s Jair Mandriaza says. Sheryl Haitana reports.
Fertile farming in the north
First Paddy and Debbie Thornton were share milkers, then they bought the farm, and more. By Delwyn Dickey.
Agrichemical standards reviewed
New standards have been introduced to the industry, including handling and use of agrichemicals such as pesticides and veterinary medicines.
Big ideas to reduce the risk of strains
An innovative project is working with farmers to design gear that reduces the risk of strain and injury. Anne Lee reports.
Cyclones a wakeup call
Farms and farmers need to be prepared to cope with extreme weather events. By Elaine Fisher.
Hunting down poor repro reasons
Is pasture enough when it comes to managing energy deficits of high-performing cows? Anne Lee reports.
Toll on the land
New Zealand farms see more fatalities every year than any other industry. Elaine Fisher reports.
Simple benchmarking
Using the best-available science, but keeping it simple means Alderbrook farm stacks up well in benchmarking against the Lincoln University Dairy Farm. Anne Lee compares their systems.
Tackling methane from the inside
Bringing a new science or technology product to market can be time-consuming and expensive but help is on hand to develop tools to reduce onfarm emissions. Delwyn DIckey takes a look at bolus technology to reduce methane emissions.