Livestock
Setting up cows for success from birth
Intensive New Zealand-based studies have revealed just how much is riding on ensuring new born calves receive enough high-quality colostrum in their first few hours of life. Words Anne Lee.
Beef on the brink of a revolution
Hill-country beef farmers in New Zealand have long faced challenges such as steep terrain, limited pasture utilisation and declining profitability. But Natasha Cave found in her Kellogg’s report that wearable technology has beef on hill country on the brink of a revolution. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Treat Wearables as a Tool, Not a System
As virtual fencing and cattle wearables move from buzzwords to real tools being used across sheep and beef breeding and finishing operations on New Zealand farms, one message comes through clearly from Tom Chisholm of AgDesign: the technology is not a silver bullet. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Better drenching decisions with rapid worm species test
A newly launched lab test is heralding a new era in worm species identification, with fast results allowing farmers to make timely, informed decisions about their internal parasite management strategies. Words Sandra Taylor.
Building wealth beyond the farm gate
Bay of Plenty farmers, John and Catherine Ford, have layered their financial diversification steadily over time to avoid all their wealth being tied up in land and livestock. This has built a second wealth generating engine under their family farm’s balance sheet. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Photos John Ford.
The farming rulebook has changed
The recent record sale of a dairy farm in mid-Canterbury has Tom Laming reflecting on how we can take a different approach to dairy farming’s future. Words Tom Laming.
Yard weaning benefits growth rates and calf health
As calf weaning gets underway, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is encouraging farmers to consider yard weaning as a way to get calves off to a great start. Words Sandra Taylor.
Improving premiums from improving land health
From heavy lambs for Atkins Ranch, to yearling sire bulls for the dairy market, Michael and Jane Cammock at Kouratahi farm in the Wairarapa focus on added value and knowing where their end product is destined for. Words Rebecca Greaves. Photos Brad Hanson.
Rearing at scale
Strengths in the softer skills of building long term relationships, coupled with the collection of robust data, are at the heart of an impressive calf rearing operation in Canterbury that’s home to 3500 calves annually. Words Anne Lee, Photo Holly Lee.
Weaning check impacts lamb cheque
Weaning is a critical period for lamb growth rates. They can easily falter if not timed correctly. Andrew Dowling, Technical Expert – Animal Health at PGG Wrightson, offers practical solutions to help avoid a weaning check that doesn’t bounce in your back pocket. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.