April 2025
He speaks about how this affected both their business and wellbeing, and how it led to him getting involved in Farmstrong in New Zealand. Sam gives some interesting and useful advice on the wellbeing steps he integrated to manage the high pressure of leading the New Zealand rugby team, managing sport and the farm, and the importance of taking time to appreciate what you have around you.
Managing down cows is a vital aspect of dairy farming that demands immediate attention and decisive action. When a cow is unable to stand, it’s essential to respond swiftly to prevent complications and safeguard the well-being of the animal. Diagnosing the underlying cause of the cow’s condition—whether it’s a metabolic disorder, physical injury, or infectious disease—should happen without delay. Once you’ve identified the issue, choosing the right treatment is crucial for restoring your valuable livestock to optimal health. Your ability to act confidently in these situations ensures the success of your farming operation.
Impact Off Road has proudly been the go-to destination for New Zealand’s ultimate quad vehicle for an impressive span of over 20 years, showcasing the remarkable 4×4 Impact Quadtruck.
This vehicle stands as a versatile, practical, and safe transport solution, designed specifically to meet the demands of both recreational users and professional operators alike. When it comes to capability, Impact Quadtrucks can hold their own against any other all-terrain vehicle on the market, effortlessly navigating through rugged terrains and varied landscapes.
The aim is provide a single platform for farmers to access critical information related to farm economics, sector trends and international markets. The information is designed to support farmers understand their operating environment and inform business decision making. The information contained in the tool can help farmers deepen their understanding of the current economic environment, including what is happening now and what may happen in the near future.
Explore our outstanding selection of investment properties for sale in the thriving markets of Nelson and Marlborough. With a strong demand, these properties present exceptional opportunities. Whether you choose to buy and rent them out or utilize them for AirBnB, so you can indulge in the beauty of sunny Nelson during the Christmas season.
The historical introduction of Angus cattle to New Zealand can be traced back to the year 1863, marking the beginning of their journey in this new land. Since the 1960s, there has been a concerted effort to selectively breed these animals to enhance their desirable traits, resulting in Angus cattle that are now taller, longer, and larger when compared to their original Scottish counterparts. This evolution demonstrates the adaptability and versatility of the breed to changing environmental and commercial demands.
The Tempo R 12-18 is a powerful, high-speed planter designed to deliver outstanding performance with its 12 or 18 row units and optional fertiliser metering. Its easily adjustable row spacing allows you to plant a wide variety of crops using the same machine, maximizing your operational efficiency.
The three-point linkage ensures superior manoeuvrability and short headlands, giving you the agility you need in the field. Furthermore, the rigid frame boasts fewer moving parts, minimal weight, and reduced maintenance requirements, all while maintaining the exceptional precision that the Tempo R is known for.
Heat stress in cows happens when they can’t dissipate the heat they generate, leading to discomfort and lower milk yields. Unlike humans, cows can start feeling heat stress at temperatures above 20°C. You might notice that your cows breathe faster, graze less, drink more, and move slower in warm weather.
Fonterra, a leading player in the dairy industry, is making a significant investment of an additional $22 million at its strategically important Waitoa UHT (Ultra High Temperature) site. This investment is aimed at bolstering the company’s growth in its Foodservice sector, which has been experiencing increased demand for high-quality dairy products.
The funds will be used to enhance the site’s processing capabilities, specifically focusing on cream processing, which is crucial for meeting the needs of Foodservice clients. With this expansion, the site will see an impressive boost in its cream processing capacity, enabling it to handle an additional 30,000 metric tons of cream each year.
Set the baling pressure on the terminal in the cab. A high baling pressure creates a solid, dense bale with a firm outer layer. This makes the bales easy to handle and stack1. We recommend using at least three layers of film to retain good bale stability. Whether you use net or film for binding, it is important to cover the bale across the width as well as possible, until just over the edges. This ensures a solid bale and reduces the risk of damage.
Farm Ute leasing serves as a valuable financial tool that empowers farms and businesses, particularly those in the agricultural sector, to acquire essential farm vehicles without the substantial upfront costs often associated with outright purchases.
Through this arrangement, the lease company retains ownership of the vehicle while you, as the lessee, pay a predetermined monthly rental fee that allows you to use the vehicle as needed. Typically, lease periods range from three to five years and are predominantly available for new farm utes and vehicles, which are specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of farm work.
Are you in search of affordable and comfortable farm staff housing solutions? Look no further than McDonald Property Group, a reputable name in the industry. We offer a diverse range of high-quality transportable homes that are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of farm workers.
Rural Contractors NZ will kick off its 2025 roadshows in four centres in June and like the organisation’s conference, attendance will be largely free. The RCNZ Board confirmed the dates and venues at its February meeting.
CEO Andrew Olsen says the first roadshow will be held at the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton on Tuesday June 17 with another the following day at Palmerston North’s Distinction Hotel. The following week sees roadshows at the Croydon Lodge in Gore on Tuesday June 24 and the following day at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch.
When it comes to breeding more efficient and productive cows, understanding the concept of genetic gain is of paramount importance. Genetic gain refers to the improvement in the genetic qualities of livestock over time, which can lead to significant advancements in milk production, disease resistance, and overall herd health. This improvement is not only beneficial for individual farmers but also contributes to the sustainability and profitability of the entire dairy industry. In this context, we wonder how New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited (NZAEL)’s online tools can assist farmers in achieving better genetic outcomes for their herds.
Lameness is one of those challenges that every dairy farmer faces at some point. But do we really know the cost of it? And more importantly, what can we do to stop it? In this episode of Talking Dairy, host Jac McGowan speaks with Winston Mason, a Veterinarian and Epidemiologist at EpiVets, and Frank Portegys, Senior Area Manager at DairyNZ for the King Country region. They cover the common causes of lameness, the direct and indirect costs it brings, and the most effective strategies for reducing its impact. Find out what the early signs of lameness are and why quick action can make all the difference.
Civil Contractors New Zealand serves as the national association for civil contractors across the country, providing a vital voice for more than 800 member businesses and organizations operating in this essential sector. Our primary mission is to advocate for and support a thriving civil construction industry, one that is built on a foundation of expert knowledge and sound practices. We are deeply committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments, particularly in regard to the latest health and safety requirements.
Are you interested in taking advantage of a fantastic opportunity to receive a complimentary farm visit from a highly knowledgeable and experienced solar power expert? During this visit, you will have the chance to engage in an in-depth discussion about the various solar power options available to you and how they can be tailored to meet your unique needs. Our dedicated team of solar installers boasts extensive experience in the successful installation of solar power systems specifically designed for farms and lifestyle blocks.
What’s your game plan when pasture growth slows down or a dry spell hits? Do you know which supplement will give you the best value for money? And how do you balance cost and risk when planning for the future? In this episode of Talking Dairy, DairyNZ’s Mark Williams, and Rakaia dairy farmer, Enda Hawe, discuss how to choose the right supplements for your circumstances. They cover the concept of marginal milk and how it can be used to ensure your feed strategy is financially sound. And they discuss the how to make the most of DairyNZ’s Supplement Price Calculator and the FeedChecker to guide decision-making. Find out what steps you can take now to minimise the impact of future feed shortages.
Cost-effective and smart, Kitset Pole Sheds stand out as a superior alternative to traditional building methods, offering a range of advantages that make them an ideal choice for those looking to enhance their agricultural operations or lifestyle blocks. These innovative structures provide an affordable and efficient solution, combining quality workmanship with flexibility and ease of assembly. By opting for Kitset Pole Sheds, customers can enjoy significant cost savings without compromising on durability or functionality.
The number of sheep you can graze on your property depends largely on the size of your land, the quality of your pasture, and your grazing management practices, but a general rule of thumb is around 10 sheep per acre with rotational grazing, which can vary depending on the season and climate; it’s best to start with a smaller number and adjust based on your pasture conditions and monitor for signs of overgrazing.
Are you considering the exciting prospect of building a brand new house on your farm? Whether it’s for your own personal use or perhaps for your dedicated farm staff, this is a significant step that can greatly enhance the functionality and livability of your agricultural property. A well-designed home can provide comfort, convenience, and a sense of community for those who work tirelessly on the land. They bring expertise in creating homes that not only fit the stunning landscapes of the countryside but also cater to the specific needs of farm life.
The DairyNZ team is continuing to explore the potential of digital technology to support animal wellbeing and the overall health of farm systems. As farms generate more data than ever before, the challenge is figuring out how to use it effectively and unlock its potential. Meanwhile, interest from customers and consumers worldwide is growing, particularly in how their food is produced and the quality of life of the animals involved.
If the agri equipment you are purchasing is under $300,000 you can use our fast approval finance application below. Using this form, you can provide details about the equipment you are purchasing and electronically sign the application so that your financing can be approved faster. For larger equipment purchases, we provide a prompt and efficient finance solution following a different approval process.
KUHN New Zealand is excited to announce that KUHN Baler Automation technology has won the EIMA Technical Innovation Award 2024. The Task Controller Section Control* baling system makes the VB 7100 series round balers the first Section Controlled* balers in the world with a GPS automated pick-up.
Väderstad’s lastest seed drill technology, Proceed V 24, will improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for New Zealand farmers and growers from the 2026 season. Since the first public showing in 2021, Proceed has been awarded for its innovation all over Europe. In both 2022 and 2023 it won the international Farm Machine award, previously known as ‘Machine of the Year’. It has also been awarded at SIMA in France, LAMMA in the UK, AGROmashEXPO in Hungary and at the Agrosalon 2022 in Slovakia.