Debate on antibiotic usage intensifies in UK

13 June 2016

A rapid and uncontrolled reduction in antibiotic usage on farms could seriously damage the health and welfare of livestock, a leading United Kingdom pig vet has warned.

Interest weighs heavily on farm inputs

10 June 2016

The influence of interest costs is made clear in the most recent analysis of input prices on sheep and beef farms.

Ravensdown opens Australasia’s first precision blending tower

19 May 2016

(NEWS ALERT) Australasia’s first precision blending tower for the fertiliser industry was opened by the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, in Christchurch today at Ravensdown's Hornby site. 

Danes to pay bonus for GM-free feed

18 May 2016

In a move to capture the opportunity of a growing GM-free consumer food market, Denmark-based dairy company, Arla, has said it will pay its farmers more if they convert to GM-free feed for their cows. 

Changes would impose huge increase in grid prices

17 May 2016

(NEWS ALERT) Consumers in the upper North Island would face the biggest increase in national electricity grid charges under the Electricity Authority's proposed changes to transmission pricing while the Rio Tinto-controlled aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point would get less than half the benefit it may have hoped for.

NZ dairy companies cautioned of GMO in supply chain

16 May 2016

(NEWS ALERT) Non-profit organisation GE-Free New Zealand says New Zealand dairy companies should take notice of the GMO grains that have not been approved in all international markets but are being imported for use in supplementary stock feed. 

Dairy farmers address rising input costs

28 April 2016

(NEWS ALERT) New Zealand dairy farmers are reviewing costs and management practices to limit the hardship felt from continuing low milk prices, a GAIN report from the United States Agriculture Department's Foreign Agricultural Service illustrates. 

Opinion: Deferred dairy costs a fraught strategy

14 April 2016

The start to the 2016-17 dairy season is just around the corner, being a mere seven weeks away, and the questions about what the new season has in store are starting to come to the fore, Mike McIntyre says.

Removing cost from the farming system has been paramount for the better part of two seasons as farmers look to present banks and investors with a balanced budget.

Grid cost outcome likely to have economic consequences

13 April 2016

A long-awaited recommendation on how the cost of the national electricity grid should be shared in future is due on May 17 and whatever the outcome, there are likely to be economic and political consequences.

MPI stumps up $895,000 for Flaxbourne scheme

22 March 2016

The Ministry for Primary Industries will put up $895,000 towards getting the Flaxbourne irrigation scheme in Marlborough off the ground, helping the region’s winegrowers and arable farmers boost production.