All articles
Mechanical weeding makes a comeback
A worrying increase in the prevalence of herbicide resistance as well as consumer pressure to reduce chemical use is resulting in mechanical weeders making a comeback as an alternative weed control in arable crops. Words Heather Chalmers.
New strategy seeks to grow arable returns
Arable growers are taking action to capture more value from their crops, writes Heather Chalmers.
Farm technician’s dream job
Bella Taylor is living her dream. Based in Manapouri, Bella works as a farm technician for Pāmu, collecting data from the stud breeding and research programmes under way on four of the 13 Pāmu farms in Southland’s Te Anau Basin. Words Sandra Taylor.
let’s talk about pain
There is no denying that there is pain associated with certain practices used on farm when it comes to sheep. Vet Sara Sutherland discusses some of the challenges around providing pain relief for docking, castration, and shearing injuries, and what the future might look like when it comes to this evolving issue.
The power of the sun
Harnessing the power of the sun offers the chance for drystock farmers to diversify their operations. Federated Farmers Senior Policy Advisor Jesse Brennan’s 2024 Kellogg Report Cultivating the sun – challenges and opportunities of solar farming for drystock farm diversification explores the opportunity.
Gene technologies – a fork in the road
As the world faces mounting challenges such as food security, climate change, and environmental degradation, the New Zealand Government is reconsidering its stance on genetic technologies. Farmlands Category Manager Lisa Lunn’s 2024 Kellogg Report Understanding a future with genetic technologies in New Zealand agriculture delves into the issue.
Class of 2025: Meet the new industry leaders
A new year brings a fresh wave of new industry leaders. What attracted them to the role? What do they see as the biggest challenges and opportunities?
Feds make a case for banking sector reform
Richard McIntyre’s mobile phone runs hot with calls from farmers who are keen to share their war stories about how they have been treated by their bank. Words Tony Leggett.
Growth in golden grain
Arable farming in Rangitikei runs deep in the Nitschke family history. Tony Leggett investigates what is behind a phase of rapid expansion for the family’s grain business and what lies ahead. Photos Brad Hanson.
Sustainable finance
There is a strong correlation between on-farm performance and emissions intensity. A panel at the New Zealand Agriculture & Climate Change Conference 2024 discussed market drivers for agricultural emissions reduction – how are financial institutions influencing climate change actions by farmers? Words Rebecca Greaves.