As temperatures start to cool around the country, now is a good time to take stock of just how well you are placed to keep your herd healthy this winter, and for a reminder of some of the seasonal health challenges they will face. Create a feed budget If you haven’t done so already, it’s
Safe, quality milk from healthy animals – if you say it quickly it can sound easy. But we all know it’s not. Getting all the complex elements of a dairy operation running in sync is hard. Success comes down to getting cows off to a good start, and ensuring their milk output reaches its full
The old saying, ‘Buy in haste, repent at leisure’ is as true for agricultural machinery as it is for any other significant purchase. The need to replace old and unreliable machinery may drive the buying decision, but that shouldn’t mean just getting the latest model of what you already have. Buying new machinery for your
Rain – you can’t farm without it, but if you get too much you can’t farm with it either. And when you do get a break in the weather, the contractors and their agricultural machinery can be racing to repair damaged pastures before the next deluge arrives. One of the main forms of pasture damage
The history of farming in New Zealand is also the history of agricultural machinery. Without a large labour pool to call on, early farmers were enthusiastic adopters of new technology that would boost productivity. The flip side of that, however, has been the growth of an industry that needs machinery it can rely on, and
There’s so much choice now in the agricultural machinery market that things can get a bit overwhelming. There’s new manufacturers, new brands, and always new bells and whistles touted as the latest must-have. The one thing you really need from your agricultural machinery, though, is reliability. And when it comes to ticking that box, European-built
Consistent milk production is the holy grail of dairy farming. In the parts of the world that rely on grain and silage for feed, farmers can adopt a system of consistent calving throughout the year, but New Zealand’s pasture-based system does mean a more compact, seasonal calving pattern and therefore a seasonal peak and trough
As a farm manager or owner, you’re responsible for optimising the production of your business, as well as setting operating goals and business plans. But, when working long hours and managing seasonal staff, setting and reaching goals can prove to be difficult. However, if the basics like reliable and machinery and tools are taken care
Spring growth is bursting forth on farms throughout the country. Making the most of that harvest will set up your feed supplies for next winter, which is why it is crucial to do it well. Outdated, inefficient machinery will rob you of productivity. If it’s time for an upgrade, you need to look to the
Old agricultural machinery may look cool and remind you of haymaking with Granddad but that doesn’t cut it when there’s serious work to be done. Breakdowns cost money, so if you’re worried about the reliability and efficiency of your old tedder, it’s time for an upgrade. Using a well-designed, modern tedder to turn your grass
