News

Gaining and maintaining Body Condition Score (BCS) pre-winter is a primary focus for dairy farmer, Mike Sales. Fodder beet on the platform has proved a valuable tool as a late lactation feed, which has enabled the farm to improve BCS whilst increasing milk production toward the end of the season...

Applying nitrogen fertiliser in a liquid form is a convenient way of applying nitrogen to crops or pastures. Liquid N Liquid N is suitable for a wide range of farm types, including pastoral, arable and horticultural systems. Liquid N is a solution, not a suspension, which means that the nitrogen...

Canterbury Dairy Farmer, Alan Davie-Martin was an early adopter of ProGibb® SG because it seemed like a cost-effective option and complementary to nitrogen application. Eight years later, Alan says ProGibb SG is not only instrumental to maintaining a pasture-based feed system on his farm, but he has...

Calf rearing done well can be both rewarding and profitable, however when sickness occurs problems can escalate quickly. Prevention is the proven way to minimise this risk. Here are some considerations for spring: The calf shed should be dry and draft free with warm, dry bedding. Fresh, clean water...

By managing Body Condition Score (BCS) post-calving, cows can cycle early with high conception rates. Herd reproductive success requires a multi-factorial approach. It has been shown that BCS is a key factor that contributes to good fertility1. The foundation for achieving good mating results is a...

A Certified Handler Compliance Certificate is required if buying, storing or using class 6.1A and 6.1B agrichemicals. The new Health and Safety at Work Act (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 came into force on 1 December 2017 meaning that the Certified Handler Certificate replaces the old...

Clostridial vaccination of sheep and cattle is common on New Zealand farms to protect from diseases such as pulpy kidney, tetanus and black leg. Lambs are born without antibodies. They depend entirely on the amount and quality of colostrum they drink to obtain disease protection. In the case of...

Lambs are born without antibodies, and rely on antibodies in the ewe’s colostrum for protection against clostridial diseases including pulpy kidney and tetanus. This is why pre-lamb vaccination is important. Clostridial vaccination of the ewe just prior to lambing is utilised on most New Zealand...

The wool season has concluded on a positive note. Recent sales results have been underpinned by a softening US dollar and Euro and renewed interest in wool from several of our trading partners. All wool types have enjoyed a lift in prices as China and India have returned to the market buying...

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...