ASB Bank/Main Report Economic Scoreboard - 3rd Quarter 2005
23rd May 2005
Analysis and statistics of New Zealand's economic performance by region for the 3rd quarter of 2005.

ASB Bank/Main Report Economic Scoreboard - 2nd Quarter 2005
22nd August 2005
Analysis and statistics of New Zealand's economic performance by region for the 2nd quarter of 2005.

ASB Bank/Main Report Economic Scoreboard - 1st Quarter 2005
23rd May 2005
Analysis and statistics of New Zealand's economic performance by region for the 1st quarter of 2005.

ASB Bank/Main Report Regional Economic Scoreboard - Fourth Quarter 2004
21st February 2005
Analysis and statistics of New Zealand's economic performance by region for the 4th quarter of 2004.

Shelter
Trees Provide Shady Benefits
February 14, 2005

Shelter and shade are 2 basic requirements of animal welfare. This is becoming a major consumer issue so farmers need to address it. If nothing else you are unlikely to be maximising profitability if livestock are regularly stressed by heat or cold.  Read more ...

ASB Bank/Main Report Regional Economic Scoreboard - Third Quarter 2004
16th November 2004
Analysis and statistics of New Zealand's economic performance by region for the 3rd quarter of 2004.

Trend
What’s Working In Agriculture
26th October 2004

A new way to control possums could more than halve the use of 1080 poison. Landcare Research has made major progress towards developing a contraceptive for the pest with an experimental vaccine reducing possum fertility by one third. Fertility control vaccine works by immunising female possums so their eggs are not fertilised. The vaccine will be trialled as a bait in the field soon.  Read more ...

18th October 2004
Pasture Management - Keep On Cocksfoot
Cocksfoot is a productive, drought-tolerant grass. NZ cocksfoot has been exported to Europe since harvesting began on Banks Peninsula in the late 1880s. By collecting cocksfoot from Mediterranean countries plant breeders have significantly improved this grass, and hybrid types now perform well, especially when mixed with ryegrass and clovers.

11th October 2004
Should You Have An Environmental Management System?
Environmental management systems (EMS) will be the next quality assurance programme for agriculture. The objective is to improve the way you manage any environmental impacts that may occur as a result of your business activities ... 

Direct Versus Conventional Drilling
Looking to establish new pasture? Many crop specialists favour the direct drilling method. Here's why . . . 22nd April 2003

Biotechnology - NZ's Economic Future?
Insiders following the expensive High Court tussle between Richmond and PPCS say the southern raider has defended its actions convincingly...
22nd April 2003

Plan For A Smooth Farm Sale
Here's a checklist of issues to consider when planning for the sale of your farm.
22nd April 2003

NZ's Responsibilities Under Kyoto Protocol
The agricultural sector generates over half of all NZ's greenhouse gas emissions
 . . . 22nd April 2003

Deric Charlton - Annual Clovers Impress
Southland farmer Andrew Morrison recently tried growing two annual clovers with impressive results . . . 22nd April 2003

Writing an Effective Agricultural Job Description
With current labour shortages, farmers need to know a well-planned job description is an important aid to their staff recruitment. . . 16th April 2003

Soil Flipping Pays
Dairy farmers near Westport have made remarkable gains by “flipping” their soils. The process was started about 12 years ago by a farmer who was fed up with his cows up to their udders in mud. . . 16th April 2003

Breeding Trees For Farms
Livestock farmers are planting trees more than ever these days – and not just for timber blocks. Dr Lindsay Fung is the tree breeder for Hort-Research working at Aokautere, near Palmerston North. He is breeding willow and poplar trees, primarily for soil conservation on slippery slopes, for waterway protection as riparian strips, and as shelterbelts... 16th April 2003

Overcoming Poor Summer-Autumn Pastures
Twelve farmers in West Waikato have worked together over three years to understand and overcome poor live-stock performance during summer-autumn.
16th April 2003

Biotechnology In Pasture Plants
Biotechnology will play an essential role in NZ’s economic future, according to Greg Bryan, who leads the plant genomics research at AgResearch Grasslands in Palmerston North. ... 16th April 2003

More Feed For Dairying
There’s a top limit of about 15 tDM/ha per year from non-irrigated rye-grass/clover pastures with no nitrogen fertiliser input, according to dairy scientist Dave Clark, working with Dexcel in Hamilton. So how can we feed our dairy cows better to achieve the extra 4% growth in production (the target set by this industry) without additional production or environmental costs? ... 16th April 2003

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