Calving's only a few weeks away, and if you're anything like us, this is the point where the "I'll get to it" list stops being optional. A few hours spent now walking the yards and checking gear saves a lot of headaches at 2am in a few weeks' time.
As summer comes to an end, now is the time to start thinking about winter. The decisions you make in autumn can have a big impact on pasture quality, animal performance, and feed costs over the colder months.
Fuel is one of those costs that quietly eats away at profit. You don’t always notice it day-to-day but over a season, it adds up fast. With diesel prices where they are, tightening up fuel use is one of the easiest ways to improve your bottom line without increasing workload.
You don’t always need a full yard rebuild to see major improvements in efficiency, safety, and stock flow. In fact, some of the best gains come from small, well thought out upgrades. If your yards “mostly work” but still cause...
When summer turns dry, water quickly becomes one of the most critical parts of your farm system. Grass growth slows, stock spend more time at troughs, and any weakness in your water setup shows up fast.
January is one of the few times of the year when many farmers get a bit of breathing space. Calving and winter pressure are still ahead, grass growth is generally good, and the weather is (usually) on your side. It’s the ideal time to step back and look at your farm infrastructure with a clear head.
Farming in New Zealand isn’t just a job it’s a way of life. It’s early mornings, long days, unpredictable weather, and constant problem-solving. Farmers are some of the most resilient people in the country, but even the toughest operators need protection from the unexpected. That’s where insurance comes in.
Technology has always played a big role in farming, from tractors replacing horses to GPS-guided machinery revolutionising cropping. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping up to be the next big shift, and livestock farming is no exception. Around the world, farmers are beginning to use AI to improve animal welfare, lift productivity, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Running a farm or lifestyle block means things will break down from time to time. Gates, troughs, water pumps, fences, machinery, or stock handling gear. Knowing when to grab the tools yourself and when to call in a professional can...