Sheep Breeders Cautioned Against Overemphasis on Methane Reduction
South Otago sheep and beef farmer Hamish Bielski has raised concerns regarding the push to breed sheep with lower methane emissions. He warns that this focus might overshadow other essential traits cultivated in New Zealand over years of sheep breeding. One notable initiative in recent times was the Beef + Lamb Genetics Low Input Trial, […]
New Zealand’s Economic Overview: A Complex Mosaic in August 2023
August 2023 presented a multifaceted economic landscape for New Zealand, as revealed by the latest data from Statistics NZ. The nation experienced contractions in both its export and import sectors compared to the same month last year. Specifically, goods exports contracted by 5.6%, settling at $5.0 billion. This decline was exacerbated by a 3.8% drop […]
The Vision for Future Sheep Breeding in New Zealand
New Zealand’s agricultural sector is embarking on an ambitious journey to revolutionise sheep genetics. Pāmu, in collaboration with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Focus Genetics (a subsidiary of Pāmu), and with backing from AgResearch, has initiated the ‘Sheep of the Future’ programme. This seven-year initiative, set to run until 2029, is partially funded by […]
Solar Farming in Waipara: A Sustainable Future
In Waipara, a local farmer, Tom Kidner, is set to transform 200 hectares of his land into an “Agri-voltaic” solar power plant. This initiative promises a stable income source for his business over the next three decades. Kidner’s primary motivations are diversifying his farm’s revenue and actively contributing to New Zealand’s efforts to reduce emissions. […]
Yoghurt: A Solution to Abomasal Bloat in Orphaned Lambs
Abomasal bloat in lambs is a severe condition where excess gas causes the abomasum to swell, potentially leading to fatal ruptures and damage to surrounding organs. The primary culprit is believed to be the bacteria Sarcina ventriculi, though other bacteria like Cl.sordellii and Cl.fallax can also be responsible. The condition is exacerbated when warm milk, […]
Making Carbon Farming More Accessible
Many landowners are not capitalising on potential earnings from carbon credits due to the complexities of transitioning into carbon farming. To address this, Nelson-based company CarbonCrop, co-founded by Nick Butcher, has developed a solution to simplify the process. Butcher highlighted that a significant challenge was enhancing farmers’ comprehension of the intricacies of carbon farming and […]
Impact of Government Policies on New Zealand’s Sheep and Beef Farmers
Recent research by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) highlights the considerable administrative and financial strain on farmers due to the influx of new and proposed environmental regulations. The study, conducted by BakerAg, delves into the cumulative effects of the Government’s environmental reforms on sheep and beef farms. B+LNZ’s chief executive, Sam McIvor, emphasises the […]
Farmers Seek Clearer Policies for Sustainable Growth
Federated Farmers, a prominent agricultural lobby, has unveiled its “rural roadmap” for the upcoming government. This roadmap, designed for the 2023 elections, emphasises 12 pivotal policy modifications the organisation wishes to realise. Over the past half-decade, the agricultural community has navigated a maze of regulatory alterations. Wayne Langford, the president of Federated Farmers, commented on […]
Decline in New Zealand’s Meat Exports to China
New Zealand has witnessed a significant decline in its red meat exports to China, its largest export market. Data from the Meat Industry Association (MIA) reveals that in July, there was a substantial decrease in both beef and sheepmeat exports to China. Specifically, sheepmeat exports fell by 31% in volume to 12,148 tonnes and 45% […]
Planning for Anticipated Severe Drought
Key figures in the primary sector are preparing for the possibility of one of the nation’s most severe droughts. Lochie MacGillivray, a consultant with AgFirst based in Hawke’s Bay, extensively researches strategies East Coast farmers can employ to cope with a drought. MacGillivray highlights that many farmers are already grappling with financial challenges due to […]
