Sunflower fundraiser set to raise funds for struggling farmers – Deena Coster:
Selling a flower which is synonymous with sunshine is helping give hope to struggling farmers.
In mid-November, Taranaki farmer Will Fleming planted about 500 sunflower seeds around the outside of one of his paddocks, and by next week the distinctive flowers will be on sale.
The money raised from selling off the sunflowers will go directly to the Taranaki Rural Support Trust (TRST). . .
Pacific leader honoured for work in dairy industry and Manawatū community – Paul Mitchell:
Palatasa Havea is still trying to get his head around what it means to be a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The Palmerston North man received the honour for a life-time of work in dairy industry research and his selfless dedication to the Pacific community in the New Year Honours List.
Havea was surprised and humbled by the appointment. But he wasn’t that familiar with the Royal Honours system, what responsibilities came with it, or that he’d done enough to deserve the recognition.
As a senior research scientist at Fonterra his work has resulted in a new manufacturing process for whey protein products and several patents for the company. . .
Farmers are off to a good 2018 start in spite of unusual weather this summer – Bill Wright:
The year has got off to a good start and the rain on the roof as I sit and write this is music to my ears – as it will be for all but arable farmers trying to harvest crops and parents trying to keep children entertained.
It has been an unusual season, with what seems to be rapid swings between wet and dry, but the fodder beet, kale and maize crops on our farm are all looking great. The maize is a relatively new inclusion in our system and is proving valuable as cattle feed over the late summer.
All our finishing cattle were gone before Christmas, and we are getting lambs away at good weights. . .
South Canterbury farmer’s cricket pitch reports hit it out of the park – Al Williams:
Glenavy has produced an unlikely social media star who is bowling them over with his infectious sense of humour.
From the tiny South Canterbury town on the banks of the Waitaki River, Ross ‘Rous’ McCulloch Glenavy Cricket Club captain, Glenavy Volunteer Fire Brigade member, Rural Bachelor of the Year finalist, sheep farmer and online larrikin is attracting clicks with his classic Kiwi humour.
McCulloch, with the help of his cricket team-mate, opening batsman, camera operator, dairy farmer and fellow fire brigade member Jackson Henshaw, files weekly “pitch reports” to the club’s Facebook page – all tongue-in-cheek – but their efforts on and offline are paying dividends for their community. . .
2018 Dairy Industry Award activity heats up as entrants prepare for judging:
While many people have had a rest from the stresses of work over the Christmas and New Year break, the reality can be different for farmers.
Summer is a busy time in the farming calendar, and General Manager of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Chris Keeping says it is just as important for farmers to take a break as any other person.
“Farming is a 24/7 commitment, and it is vital that farmers find time to rest and relax with family and friends,” she said. . .
https://twitter.com/AgriHQ/status/953344933590650881
Station rebuild from the ground up – Jamie Brown:
Marango Station, bordering gorge country adjacent to Guy Fawkes River east of Ebor, has undergone a facelift of massive proportions.
When three investors bought the 3800 hectare freehold and lease hold holding two years ago they put a young cattleman Mick Kelsall in position of manager. This 33 year old’s boundless energy has helped drive substantial change.
He credits his family and grandfather Jim, ‘Kahona’ Hernani and other properties, as his first mentor and these days leans on Dorrigo agent Tim Bayliss for constant feedback. . .
Engender moves to commercialisation of genetic dairy technology, targets US market – Tina Morrison:
(BusinessDesk) – Engender Technologies, the agricultural technology company spun out of Auckland University, is moving to scale up its sex-selection product for the dairy industry to full commercialisation in the next 18 months and is targeting the US$2 billion dairy artificial insemination industry.
Co-founded by the University of Auckland and seed investment company Pacific Channel in 2011, Engender has secured option-to-license agreements for its technology with three of the world’s largest artificial insemination companies, has successfully concluded laboratory trials and is preparing for scaling commercialization, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. In August, the company’s first key patent was allowed in the US and its patent attorneys have confidence that it will be granted in its other key markets, it said. . .
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