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.

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.

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.

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.

When Jack and Charlotte Gibbs moved to their 235-hectare farm on the cliff-hugging Akaroa side of Banks Peninsula in 2013, possums were everywhere. They have gone from catching 2,000 possums to none. Words Allison Hess & Anna Bracewell-Worrall

Coach, speaker and facilitator, Deanne Parkes, writes a kind reminder to not only use winter as a chance to check in on others in your community, but to have an honest check in with yourself, just as you would do routine maintenance on other parts of your farm. Words Deanne Parkes.

A love of the bush, conservation and hunting has led Warkworth man, Wilson Hobbs, to start a wild meat pet food business, also feeding the big cats at North Island zoos. Words Delwyn Dickey, Photos Jason Hosking.

Stu and Ginny Neal do not take their responsibilities around winter forage crop management lightly. The South Canterbury couple start planning their winter forage crop rotation three years in advance, with assiduous attention paid to animal welfare and environmental protection. Words Sandra Taylor.

Jess Ross worries that without adequate access to the latest biologicals and biopesticide options, New Zealand fruit and arable growers are going to be left scrambling. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer, Roger Barton, has recently been appointed one of three Safer Farms’ Regional Champions. As part of this he will be sharing the Farm Without Harm message directly into rural communities.