News
 | Automated Barn Makes DifferenceThe Smith family of Northhope build the wintering facility to future proof their farmAdded 17 Dec 2015 |  
|
 | Future Safe With BarnCraig Copeland needed to resolve his wintering issues and di so by building a new Dairy Housing facilityAdded 17 Dec 2015 |
|
 | Dairy Systems Help Build SoilIts been known for years by many farmers around the world and in NZ by farmers having converted from dry land to dairy or those with Dairy Housing that trough dairy cows ( or rather their by product in the form of organic waste top soil levels and fertility increases.Now confirmed by initial research it may see the proper use of on farm available nutrients adopted in our future farm models. If we collect all dairy created organic fertiliser and re distribute this in small volumes and evenly over pasture or crop land we will see an increase in top soils levels, fertility and a reduction of imported chemical fertiliser. This must result in more durable and thus sustainable farm systems, higher levels of top soil and related organic matter will create better nutrient buffers ( reduced N leaching) and better use of soil moisture. Overseer is not yet reflecting these type of farm models accurately but is hoped that in time the research will be incorporated and reflect the reality better. Harmen Heesen Dairy Housing and High Performance Dairy farm system consultant Added 08 Dec 2015 |
|
 | Nz Ag Exports To Reach 20 Billion In 20 YearsArticle by KPMG Ian Proudfoot on the growth of Export towards 2025.Added 07 Dec 2015 |
|
 | The Water FlowsIt took some time but water brings a sustainable future to many area's of land previously "unproductive"Added 11 Nov 2015 |
|
 | Cowhouse Helps Keep It SimpleFundamental issues of feeding cows well and producing high MS drive cost downEfficiency is critical Added 11 Nov 2015 |
|
 | Keith Woodford On Year Round Milk SupplyA view of the future for NZ value added products and farm systems to support theseAdded 26 Oct 2015 |
|
 | Taranaki Diaryhouse First In The CountryA Dairyhouse was build for Grant Allen in Taranaki , this is the first of a new design utilising best economic design for best cow needs. Dairy House is ideal for herds under 400 cows and in warmer regions of NZAdded 21 Oct 2015 |
|
 | Robot Milking The Way Of The FutureCarolyne Rose in Golden bay knew from the day she red about milking robots that it was the way of the futureAdded 25 Sep 2015 |
|
 | True Cost Of Growing MaizeIan Williams on the cost of maize and its benefitsAdded 25 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Protect Crucial SoilsWhat to look for to ensure you have healthy soilsAdded 25 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Eades Family Pleased With CowhouseArticle about Eades family in West OtagoBruce and Ken build their Cowhouse in 20011 Fitted out by TechniPharm Design support Cowhouse ltd consulting Added 25 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Milking The MootelTony Alcock build a basic cowbird for his cowsAdded 25 Sep 2015 |
|
 | China Has Many CountriesArticle by Keith Woodford on China. Keith is a regular long term traveler to China and seen the changesAdded 11 Sep 2015 |
|
Making The Right Choices For Long Term ResultAs ususal Keith Woodford with a great article about the on farm and wider viewsAdded 11 Sep 2015 |
| |
 | Nitrogen The Nuts And BoltsUnderstanding N utilisation is not all the complicated, N in N out... what can you see what can you not see... where does it go?Pasture, Crop, water table or Air... Added 10 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Separation Of Effluent Demands Special ManageN retention on separated effluent demands a greater consideration in respect of N losses to the atmosphere (green house gasses)Closed storage is one solution which helps to reduce these gasses and increase N utilisation. (to grow grass or crops) Added 10 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Cowhouse DannevirkeArticle on farming career and development to dairy housingAdded 04 Sep 2015 |
|
 | A Meal Takes Water And FuelAdded 04 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Cows Are Smarter Then You ThinkCan cows choose to follow a sound? if so a whole new area of possibilities opens upAdded 04 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Robots In AgricultureAdded 04 Sep 2015 |
|
 | Robots In AgricultureRobots will be an essential if we are to feed us all, succession and labour issues are significant considerations to engage Robots. Good labour is short in supply and many youth are attracted to the urban lifestyle. Something needs to happenAdded 25 Aug 2015 |
|
 | Robots In The Agri Food SectorDutch article ( and translated transcript) on where the future is heading for in order to produce enough food for the billions of humansAdded 19 Aug 2015 |
|
 | Bruce Eade AwardedBruce Eade awarded by his peers for contributions to the Ayrshire breed.The Eade family have a cowhouse. Added 11 Aug 2015 |
|
Keeping PositiveSIDE event speaker Steve Booker on "what to do" ? Change, adapt, innovate!Added 11 Aug 2015 |
| |
Challenges For (crop) FarmersLeading Agronomist from the UK Mike Carver outlines the challenges we faceAdded 11 Aug 2015 |
| |
Effective Pasture Use Per Ha In NzDairy NZ article on estimates eaten/ ha of pasture.Pasture eaten is not pasture grown Writers comment from back calculations on feasibility work , the figures appear high ( pasture eaten ) and are more in line with pasture grown than pasture eaten All that said what is measured can be managed... how much measuring is really going on? Added 11 Aug 2015 |
| |
Hybrid System Works WellArticle about a long standing hybrid system in Southlandmaximising efficiencies and resources a lost son to honour and remember Added 11 Aug 2015 |
| |
Nutrition In Times Of Low PayoutArticle from NZ Association of Ruminant Nutritioniststhe basics and cause and affect you need to consider Added 10 Aug 2015 |
| |
Governance On The FarmGovernance of a farm business is as important if not more important than a "commercial business in town" Farms are very complex business and many farms now comprise of many "units" and various goals and objectives may conflict.Understanding more about governance can help a great deal in growing the business or simply secure its future for the next generation. Added 03 Aug 2015 |
| |
New Farm Rules Set National Limits ?Further article on GMPAdded 28 Jul 2015 |
| |
Water QualityArticle on issues related to water qualityBeing aware and understanding the issues Added 28 Jul 2015 |
| |
Dairy Stats 2014Statistics 2014 for DairyAdded 28 Jul 2015 |
| |
World Dairy Trade Expanding Long TermAdded 28 Jul 2015 |
| |
Cost Of ComplianceThomas is a NZ Nat Fieldays Scholar and done various studies on Nutrient mattersAdded 28 Jul 2015 |
| |
The Sun Will Shine AgainGood balanced article by Keith Woodford on the industry and ChinaAdded 28 Jul 2015 |
| |
The Gmp For Canterbury " A Matrix For AMatrix for Good Management the guide to all resource consents in CanterburyAdded 20 Jul 2015 |
| |
Tools For Reducing N Lossesback ground information on how to reduce N losses.Added 20 Jul 2015 |
| |
Lincoln University In Bottom Rung Of Top DairInteresting read..comments... there are other ways to keep N leaching down and production up! Added 17 Jul 2015 |
| |
Eco Efficient Farm SystemsA very well written back ground paper by Ina Pinxterhuis on efficient farm systems in respect of nutrient utilisation and feed production. A must read for all farmersAdded 14 Jul 2015 |
| |
Ayrshires All The Way For KenKen and son Bruce Eade have had a cowhouse for several years now.Fitted out by TechniPharm, Cowhouse Ltd Consulting provided design parameters and guidance during the project. These high performing cows are a pleasure to watch. The Cowhouse is always clean and spot on. A great example with very dedicated owners. Added 09 Jul 2015 |
| |
Can Grass Alone Still Cut It?article by James Haque about feed cost and feed efficiencyAdded 07 Jul 2015 |
| |
Fodder Beet PotentialComment Fodder beet can be great feed and has been used in EU farm systems for many hundreds of years. With new Technology and information the product has huge potential on NZ farms. Not for the fainthearted !Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
5 Key N FactorsEvaluate your farm system and see where the holes are !some obvious ones Cows on Pasture... (urine flushes trough root zone) Effluent in open pond systems (N evaporates) Wintering big mobs on small land holdings (large nutrient deposits and no uptake by plants or soil) Talk to us about how to find new farm systems and methods which will avoid you losing nutrients Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
New Thinking Needby Marv PangbornAdded 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Farmers Face Big Nature BillsCommentTo be truly sustainable we have to get out of the commodities market this will make the application of sound technology and farm environmentally productive systems stand up under most (weather and financial ) conditions and create robust farm systems, a well educated work force and investment/innovations market Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Off Paddock Systemsback ground information for general readingAdded 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Wintering Barm Widens ChoicesAdded 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Reducing Nutrient Loss A Critical Farm ChalleArticle by Prof Mike Hedley Massey # 4 DairyCowhouse project design Cowhouse Ltd consulting Fit out TechniPharm Int Ltd Construction Cowhouse Construction Timaru Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
SuccessionWE need more young people on farm, farming is no longer "putting up a fence" or "cups on" its about managing complex production systems with reliable and affordable technologyAdded 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Dairy Man Disputes Barn FindingsHigh performance, high efficiency run farms can not help but tick the boxes...If the benchmark in NZ is 385 Kg Ms per cow and in The Netherlands it is 660Kg Ms per cow what does that tell you? Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Loss Of N To Air Is Inefficient FarmingN evaporated to air is a greenhouse gas. sooner or later this will be an issue for NZ farmersOpen pond storage is a main source of N loss to air Stirring ponds with Air increases N losses Fact is we can not always use effluent straight from the source, most area's in NZ need 45-90 day storage, some longer... Check out Ecobag fully contained storage Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Fertiliser CostCommentEfficient use of fertiliser is a matter of essence no matter at what level of payout Leaching 50 plus Kg N /ha means you not efficient Did you know a herd of 500 dairy cows produces 50 Ton of N per year and if that is captured you have no fertiliser bill ! Or that an open pond system looses up to 60% of N to air.. evaporated profits! Efficient farming starts with understanding the current in efficiencies and then modelling an adjusted farm system to create efficiencies... this will make farmers business sustainable and robust, no matter what the payout maybe . Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
N Limits To Test Farmersback ground information on N limitsComment Many of our dairy housed clients have significantly reduced their N leaching, want to know how? contact hj@cowhouse.co.nz Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Nutrition KeyCommentCow nutrition should always be the highlight in cow performance Cows can not produce milk from air or bad feed Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Investing Off Paddock FacilitiesArticle by Kim MashlanComment Investment of off paddock systems need to deliver a commercial return and create a better sustainable farm system. This can all be achieved, but there is more to it then just building a shed. Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Weather Affect On AnimalsThe mitigation of weather impacts can significantly add to the bottom line5 Freedoms of animals state shelter being a key element for good practise well being standards Added 04 Jul 2015 |
| |
Dairyhouse First In NzThe first DairyHouse in the country will be ready for occupation in July 2015. Just under 400 high performing cows will take "residence"The facility is designed for an almost infinite options of use, this may initially be a Hybrid use, "inside when you have to and outside when you can" but ultimately the facility may have Robot milkers. Cows on this property are on track to produce twice the National Average in milk solids. Added 30 Jun 2015 |
| |
Effects Handling Cattle On Ph And Eating QualGreat article on Beef quality and what causes high PH.Australian Meat Standards Applicable to all farmers whom send beef or cull cows to the works Added 23 Jun 2015 |
| |
Cow Housing Reduces N Leach, Increases ProfitA Waikato study paper by Tom MacDonald has concluded that cow housing was the only scenario of the four modeled systems to show a reduction in N leaching above 10% of baseline, while lifting financial performance. Across each of the farm systems the average reduction in N leaching was 18%. The average increase in operating profit was 10.9%ref Thomas O.R MacDonald, Jacqueline S. Rowarth & Frank G. Scrimgeour 2015 Added 08 Jun 2015 |
| |
Change Should Drive ProductionArticle about efficiencies and change of farm systems (or land use) a Challenge on conventional thinkingAdded 05 Jun 2015 |
| |
Southland PerformanceLouis and Angela English Cowhouse(provider Cowhouse construction and Cowhouse Ltd Consulting) (fitted out TechniPharm Fit Out) Added 01 Jun 2015 |
| |
Modern FarmingView of the world from historical perspective in relation to modern farmingAdded 29 May 2015 |
| |
MycotoxinsGood article explaining Mycotoxins and Mycotoxin danger levels.Added 18 May 2015 |
| |
Cow Shelter Helps Return On Capital In Low PaArticle on benefits of cow sheltersAdded 11 May 2015 |
| |
Brace For N LossesN losses on Irrigated farms may be more than previously thoughtAdded 11 May 2015 |
| |
Visionary Farmers Go With RobotsArticle about Cowhouse and Robots.Added 11 May 2015 |
| |
Key Trends For Next 25 YearsTrends predicted for next 25 yearsAdded 28 Apr 2015 |
| |
N VolatilisationArticle on N losses through volatilisation.See also resolve via ECOBAG which avoids this from occurring. Added 28 Apr 2015 |
| |
Nzipim SeminarsA seminar series brought to you by NZIPIM on Dairy Housing farm systems.There are at this stage 7 seminars: April 21 Hamilton May 14 Invergargill May 26 Palmerston North June 25 Dunedin July 9 Asburton July 12 Stratford July23 Northland For details see www.nzipim.co.nz Added 30 Mar 2015 |
| |
Cowhouse Designed For Cows, Not HumansArticle supported by Aztech about CowhousesAdded 19 Mar 2015 |
| |
Focus On Boosting ProsperityInspiring article about where we should/could be with NZ Ag IncAdded 19 Mar 2015 |
| |
Cowhouse The Way AheadGreat article and vision on the possibilities of the Dairy IndustryAdded 27 Feb 2015 |
| |
High Cost Of Cheap GrazingArticle underlining the need to stay focussed to growing young stock to best productive abilityAdded 20 Feb 2015 |
| |
Maize GrowingMaize is energy, and allows a balanced diet which enhances production.Growing Maize is an "art", and best yields drive cost per kg DM down. Added 13 Feb 2015 |
| |