News

Planting is really the only time in the crop cycle that steps can be taken to reduce incidence and severity of soil-borne diseases. Of course, the timing of planting of various seasonal crops will depend on where you are in the country. There are a number of these diseases that can significantly...

Taking the straightforward approach of doing it right the first time has seen businessman and grower, Tony Gibbs, succeed in many roles.Tony’s latest venture, Avocado Heaven, in Tapora, west of Wellsford on the Kaipara Harbour, is another example of his pragmatism. The property is already one of New...

With soil tests done and fertiliser recommendations made by your Fruitfed Supplies representative, the next step is application of the recommended inputs. But is your spreader up to the task? Available from Fruitfed Supplies, the Vogal SDA range of orchard and vineyard spreaders suit many New...

When it comes to preparing for the calf rearing season, it is easy to be bamboozled by a bevy of products, services and programmes. Let’s take a moment to step back, look at the bigger picture and touch on the fundamentals of nutrition after colostrum from birth to weaning. Phase one – Intensive...

PGG Wrightson GM of Wool, Grant Edwards talks to Jamie McKay about wool and the wool industry.

As bull sales draw to a close across the country we take a look back at some of the sales over the month as well as South Island markets and the effect of mycoplasma bovis around the country. South Island The end of June saw last of the South Island bulls sales. Overall Bull sales were well...

The quality, quantity and quickness of colostrum intake sets the scene for the lifetime productivity of a calf. In utero, calves live in a sterile environment where the dam provides all the disease protection necessary. As such, calves are born devoid of antibodies. Over the first 24 hours of life...

Farming, like any business, has a lot of fixed and variable costs that you can’t skimp on. Finding savings in the costs that you can control is crucial to improving cash flow and long-term profitability. Energy is one of these costs. Over the past few years, solar solutions have become an...

With the New Zealand government setting a goal to plant one billion trees between 2018 and 2027, estimates suggest that this can encompass a significant area across New Zealand. While 50 percent of that target is associated with current planting rates, making sure that the “right tree is in the...

Cows can go down at or around calving due to complex interactions of the individual cow’s metabolism and minerals. Milk fever (hypocalcaemia) This occurs at calving or the first 48 hours after. It usually happens with older, well-conditioned cows with a low blood calcium. In the early stages, cows...

Blanket use of long-acting drenches on sheep farms can hasten the development of drench resistance. Here are some considerations to help protect the effectiveness of these products. Primer drenching This is administering an effective drench which removes the resident susceptible worm population at...

With the current outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis) occurring in many districts throughout the country, an increased awareness of the impact of this disease and the potential changes required in calf rearing systems is important. M.bovis is a disease in cattle only, caused by a particular...

MaxCare is a new range of milk replacers available exclusively in New Zealand through PGG Wrightson. The MaxCare formulations have been developed in consultation with some of Australia’s leading ruminant nutritionists to build a strong foundation for healthy growth and for the first time, are...

For the past three years Dairy Farmer, Stephen Pope has used SealesWinslow dairy pellets to meet the nutritional needs of his herd year-round, achieving 480 kgMS per cow. There has been a definite increase in production, a decrease in empty rates and 500 kgMS is in sight. Stephen farms in Central...

Nelson/Marlborough Exceptional autumn weather at the top of the South Island meant farms were presented for sale in extremely good condition, while stock prices across the board continued to increase the desirability of pastoral property. However, demand exceeds the supply of listed Nelson and...

Northland Northland’s autumn rural property market was unremarkable. Although listings are readily available, including some excellent farms, purchasers and their financiers are reluctant to meet vendor price expectations. A 36.5 hectare Kaipara property growing kumara sold in April for $43,000 per...

PGG Wrightson and Promax bring to you New Zealand’s safest and smartest hopper bins. Currently it’s time for soil testing and then soon, growers around the country will apply the required nutrients to their orchards, vineyards and blocks. Last year’s changes to health and safety standards need to be...

With a relatively warm autumn, greenhouse thrips have been persistent this season, and may still be residing in some blocks. Likewise, six-spotted mite (SSM) will over-winter in most orchards, particularly in warmer areas, so reducing populations before spring arrives is a good idea. Maintain a...