Country-Wide August-September 2023
Award winners at Waytemore
Rick and Shirley-Ann Mannering run an integrated sheep and beef farm and two dairy operations just south of Auckland and they’re making big strides to remove pests from their bush bordering the Hunua Ranges. By Glenys Christian.
A slimy seedling stealer
In Central Otago, slugs attacked 45 hectares of high-value SovGold Ultrastrike-treated kale seedlings.
Election promises and CVs
As the election nears, political parties are releasing their policies. Jo Cuttance looks at what the various parties are proposing for the agriculture sector – policies that will all have an impact on individual farming businesses and the entire sector.
Entering the cereal game
With increasing costs and lower returns, the wash up of the 2022-23 season has seen a review of alternative cropping enterprises that have some synergy with sheep-dominant farming operations. By Simon Glennie.
Rules and regulations summarised
Anyone new to New Zealand or observing us from afar could be forgiven for wondering what is happening with farming regulations here. Many farmers are struggling to keep up with the growing number of regulations, requirements, policies and promises. James Hoban summarises the most prominent changes and where they have got to on the policy conveyor belt.
Arable prospects
Pastoral farmers tempted to grow cereals on their farms as a result of recent high prices are being urged to tread carefully as the market returns to a more normal demand and supply situation. By Glenys Christian.
Quiet onfarm, frantic at finals
Hemp product marketing and home farm maintenance kept Blair Drysdale busy on his Balfour farm this winter, and then came the Young Farmer finals.
Ignoring science – not worth the risk
Sri Lanka went organic, and that, coupled with other bad policy decisions, saw the country go into bankruptcy in 2022. Soil scientist Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says we can learn from Sri Lanka’s mistakes.
Making connections with wool
The Campaign for Wool New Zealand (CFWNZ), tasked with advancing strong wool education, promotion and advocacy, has unveiled a new online portal and updates to the Wool in Schools programme.