Livestock
Episode 12 – Top tips for tupping in the dry from two farmers & a vet
Are you having to balance a lack of feed and holding ewe condition in a dry Autumn? This episode is jam-packed with technical knowledge from two farmers and a veterinarian. Mark Zino shares how to juggle feeding grain and silage to not overdo it, Alistair Bird shares why he’s not mating his ewe hoggets this season, and vet Peter Anderson of Marlborough gives key tips for tupping, teaser rams, timing and triplets.
Episode 11 – The double-edged sword of shearing in New Zealand
With Golden Shears 2024 being packed with crowds and the sheer number of women coming into both shearing and wool-handling, how do we keep stoking the fire of talent whilst we wait for a return to better wool prices?
BONUS – Connecting soil nutrients, feed quality and animal performance with Melinda Turner
In a special bonus episode, independent nutrient advisor Melinda Turner helps balance animal health with the soil nutrients we are applying to ensure we aren’t curbing the animal’s performance in the meantime.
Simple system, high profits
Derek and Leanne White's exceptional performance on their Waiouru farm won them the 2023 Wairere Central Districts Red Meat Farm Business of the Year award.
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.
An integrated system
The pros and cons for integrating livestock and arable production were discussed in depth and from many angles at a recent industry field day, Sandra Taylor writes.
Managing tough times
Increasing productivity without adding costs is one of the most effective strategies for remaining profitable in tough financial times. Sandra Taylor writes.
What it costs to rear a calf
Paul Muir and staff from On-Farm Research at the Poukawa Research Farm in Hawke’s Bay have been researching calf rearing since 1996. They have put together an update of calf rearing costs for the 2023 season.
Keeping that bedding dry
An alternative to limestone to reduce moisture in animal bedding.