A New Zealand farmer-owned co-operative has showcased new methane mitigating technology that the dairy sector can start using from today to reduce emissions. Developed with Lincoln University, Ravensdown’s EcoPond system virtually eliminates the methane emitted from effluent ponds. The breakthrough discovery was to target methane with an additive normally used in the treatment of drinking […]
environment
Regenerative agriculture research receives Government boost
The Government continues to invest in farm sustainability, this time backing two new research projects to investigate the impacts of regenerative farming practices, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. Soil health and regenerative agriculture “We’re contributing $2.8 million to a $3.85 million five-year project with co-investment by Synlait Milk and Danone that aims to understand […]
‘More milk from fewer cows’ trend continues in a record year for NZ dairy industry
Kiwi dairy farmers hit a new high for milk production last season with fewer cows, showing that a focus on breeding higher performing cows is paying off. The annual New Zealand Dairy Statistics report, released today by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), shows that total milk volume, total milksolids and per cow production were the highest on record in the 2020-21 season. New Zealand has 4.9 million […]
OSPRI on track for a TBfree future in Hawke’s Bay
OSPRI is getting Hawke’s Bay back on track to a TBfree future after delivering multiple aerial operations in the past six months. OSPRI’s Disease Control GM Simon Andrew says that it is essential to reduce the possum population in these problem areas to a low level and to maintain this long enough to break the […]
DSM receives positive EFSA opinion for methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer
Royal DSM, a global purpose-led science-based company, today announces that it has received a positive European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion for the use of its novel methane-reducing feed additive for ruminants, Bovaer®, in the European Union. The EFSA opinion confirms that the feed additive reduces enteric methane emissions from dairy cows and is safe for […]
NZIER Report: Glyphosate’s economic and environmental benefits
Food and pasture growers as well as the forestry industry rely on glyphosate to prevent deep-rooted weeds from taking over their crops and decimating productivity, according to a report by the NZIER on the benefits of glyphosate to New Zealand. The world’s most widely-used weed management tool has extensive economic and environmental benefits. It enables […]
2021/2022 Ballance Farm Environment Awards programme to proceed nationally
Despite the interruptions of COVID-19, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust is delighted to confirm that the 2021/2022 Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) will proceed as planned throughout the country, including the new Catchment Group Award. Even with the disruptions caused by the changes to alert levels in Auckland, Northland and Waikato the awards have […]
Forest Owners say ‘back the bat’
The Forest Owners Association is urging its members and the public to vote for the pekapeka – the Long-Tailed Bat – in the Forest and Bird sponsored Bird of the Year 2021 competition. President, Phil Taylor, says Forest and Bird should be congratulated for making pekapeka an honorary bird in this year’s competition. “In the […]
Turning up the dial on rural recycling
Article sourced from AGRECOVERY Free recycling of plastic agricultural bags is available to farmers and growers as rural recycling programme Agrecovery turns up the dial on sustainability. Recycling of bags made from low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic is underway in Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay ahead of a nationwide rollout – following successful trials held in […]
Farmers elect representative to DairyNZ board
Dairy farmer representative Jacqueline Rowarth was re-elected to DairyNZ’s board at its livestreamed Annual General Meeting (AGM) today. DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says the board is looking forward to Jacqueline re-joining them for the next three years, during an exciting phase as the board oversees the delivery of the new DairyNZ strategy for […]