Rural Diary

North Island | South Island

In this edition of Rural Diary, we take a trip to Blenheim to visit arable farmer Mike McConway. With the help of PGG Wrightson Arable Representative Mark Best, Mike has implemented a weed control programme to slow weed resistance in maize. On the agronomy topic, our soil science specialist Stephanie Sloan also provides information on the importance of soil testing to develop a tailored fertiliser programme and Ballance Agri-Nutrients explains micronutrient maintenance in pasture.

North Island | South Island

In this second month of spring, we take a close look at your pasture options and preparing your soils for sowing. Jessica, one of our Soil Science Specialists, looks at potassium and maximising pasture production. PGG Wrightson Seeds and Agricom have also visited a couple of their customers who are using a variety of crops and pasture effectively.

With lambing and calving completed for most of New Zealand, the attention focuses on meeting growth targets. Our Vet, Andrew Dowling, discusses worm management in calves and we have supplier articles on drench resistance and encouraging growth with vitamin B12.

We also visit a Southland farm to see how a careful choice in pre-emergence treatment has resulted in cleaner crops and increased production.

North Island | South Island

Here we are in the first month of spring. It is hard to believe we are already getting into one of the busiest seasons on-farm with lambing still underway in some regions and setting up crops and pastures to get that valuable feed next year.

We introduce a new member to the Technical Team, Jessica Dunbar recently joined us as Soil Agronomist for the South Island and will be a regular contributor to Rural Diary. Jessica is passionate about delivering practical advice to help improve farming practices, and will be working closely with our field teams to ensure we continue to add value on-farm. In her first article, she explains how to detect a boron deficiency in fodder beet.

We also talk to Lindy Bennett, Precision Farmer and former Maize Agronomist for John Austin Limited in the Waikato, about her weed control programme with maize crops. Early and targeted weed control has paid dividends. Turn to page 5 to read more.

North Island | South Island

In this month’s Rural Diary, we head to Aria in the Waikato and visit sheep and beef farmers Blair and Anna Nelson. They have driven their ewes’ performance by significantly increasing mating rates for hoggets over the last few years. Quality feed and a targeted approach have been instrumental to their success.

With nutrition top of mind, we focus on optimising peak milk performance and supplementation. Effective planning during lambing to boost pasture growth and flystrike protection for lambs following docking are explained.

We also review planning for spring pasture and cropping programmes. Our agronomy specialist covers paddock selection for spring. We also look at the evolution of forage brassicas, maize nutrition and fodder beet varieties.

North Island | South Island

With calving underway, this month’s issue of Rural Diary focusses on key topics including nutrition at calving, teat conditioning and an article on the developmental support of ProCalf®. We visit Stacey Walker to catch up on how she is going a year on from the Greymouth Calf Rearing Competition in 2016. The technical expertise of PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative, Hannah Nicholls and Dairy Nutritionist, Andrea Murphy, were a focal point for Stacey and allowed her calves to achieve top growth rates.

Our two animal experts offer tips on drenching and setting nutrient requirements. Our Vet, Andrew Dowling, discusses drench efficacy testing and finding the right solution for your situation. Animal Nutritionist, Nadine Huitema, gives a report on the recent Sheep Milk New Zealand Conference.

Matthew Crampton, Technical Specialist Agronomy, also discusses key factors around safely handling agri-chemicals.

North Island | South Island

For many of our customers across the country, preparation for calving and lambing is high on the agenda this month. With our teams on the ground and the tech tips in this Rural Diary, we hope that we can help ease off the pressure for the upcoming busy days in July and August.This edition offers a few calf feed alternatives for your consideration as well as the importance of removing parasites from your lambing paddock. As always, our aim is to present the technical data for you to make an informed decision. Please contact your local store or Technical Field Representative if you would like to get more in-depth information and work through your requirements.

North Island | South Island

From nutrition to agronomy, this edition of Rural Diary covers a range of important topics for May including key tips for drying off successfully. We also present the views of Dave McKenzie and Ben Rutherford, who each own a sheep and beef farm originally farmed by Ben’s parents. David White, PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative has had a long association with the family and worked with our Technical Team to help Dave and Ben meet their goals on-farm. Turn to page 8, to see the value of this partnership and tell you more about their integrated farm systems on both Montrose Station and Mount Montrose.

North Island  |  South Island

It is hard to believe April is already upon us. You may be worrying about weeds and pests in your newly established pastures, thinking about transitioning your stock to fodder beet or wondering whether your cows require drenching. Rural Diary again provides you with some information that may help you in your key decisions in this second month of autumn.

In this issue we introduce the concept of “Kitchen Table Talks”. This article (page 13) is evidence of the value that the combined knowledge of our Technical Field Representatives and Technical Team have brought to a selected group of farmers in the Heriot area, who are willing to learn more about how nutrition could improve farm profitability.

North Island | South Island

It is another busy time of the year on farms with regrassing and pasture maintenance decisions being made to handle winter feed demands and prepare for spring. This edition of Rural Diary is specifically aimed at providing timely information and advice for these upcoming pasture decisions, with a range of seeds, fertiliser and agri-chemical articles from our technical team and suppliers. If you are a dairy farmer, make sure to read about the new wash-down nozzle now available exclusively through PGG Wrightson.

November 2016
North Island  |  South Island

October 2016
North Island  |  South Island

September 2016
North Island  |  South Island

August 2016
North Island  |  South Island

July 2016
North Island  |  South Island    

June 2016
North Island  |  South Island   

May 2016
North Island  |  South Island 

April 2016
North Island  |  South Island 

March 2016
North Island  |  South Island

February 2016
North Island  |  South Island

November 2015
North Island  |  South Island

At PGG Wrightson, we recognise the importance of working alongside our clients.

For on-farm technical advice on feed budgeting, soil fertility, animal health and more, contact your local Technical Field Representative.