News

A new dairy beef programme has been launched by farm consultancy group AgFirst and Hamilton-based meat processor Greenlea to help promote better use of beef genetics among dairy farmers.

Dave Miller seems to think so, and his opinion is based on research into the industry which AgFirst carried out over the last season. This discovered the number of Herd Owning Sharemilking arrangements was dropping, and more Variable Order Sharemilkers were turning to Contract Milking arrangements. The reason appears to be because of milk price volatility.

There are compelling reasons for dairy farmers to increase the supply of beef calves from dairy cows, says a farm consultant.Dairy farmers would welcome the additional beef income and the calves were easier to sell, but First farm consultant Bob Thomson is warning farmers against using just any beef bull.

Article by Bob Cathcart of AgFirst Northland on ‘Observations on effects of Forestry on marginal land inland of Kawakawa’.

A case study of the regulatory requirements for a dairy farm in the Horizons region.

Our consultants James Allen and Nico Mouton have looked at the history of the farm management consultancy profession, issues facing provision of farm management advice, and some thoughts on the future of the profession.

AgFirst consultant, Mark Macintosh, is proud to be a key driver in helping ensure the Taumanu Lands Trust farm is set up to serve future generations.

Overall the dairy industry is more professional and in a good space, but volatility will continue, says James Allen. As James steps down as Chairman and focuses on his role as managing director of AgFirst Waikato, he shares his views of the future of the dairy industry.

AgFirst’s James Allen has been a key leader in transforming the value chain of maize and soya bean crops in Ethiopia and Rwanda.