K22 Reports

The main objective of the project for me was to use the project to implement learning styles on diary farms to create more open communication and build up positive working relationships. Developing strategies that we could practically implement on farm for the employer and employee in achieving this objective, I could develop my own leadership … Read more

The objective of this report is to understand why farmland values have almost quadrupled since 1990 and perhaps more importantly analyse and try to predict where prices paid for farmland are likely to go from here. The consensus of numerous discussions with Economists, Real Estate agents, Bankers, Valuers and the people making the final decisions, … Read more

An investigation into the labour force characteristics and their ramifications on a shearing business was completed at Pullin Shearing Limited – a shearing business based at Rolleston, Canterbury, New Zealand (43° 36′ S, 172° 24′ E, 46 m.a.s.l). Pullin Shearing Limited (2005 /2006 season) utilised 231 employees composed of 115 shearers and 116 woolhandlers and … Read more

In years gone by farming was looked at as a life style option for people who wanted to work outside. It was not considered to be a desirable career option for most but was for those who had no other options. It involved hard work and long hours. Today farming is looked at as a … Read more

The purpose of this report was to investigate key issues surrounding land ownership, how they are changing and what impact this has. Both rural and residential land have been discussed because in New Zealand often the driving force for change with one has a net effect on the other. The main focus however is towards … Read more

The purpose of this report was to identify underlying issues in the strong wool industry both here in New Zealand and the international market and find ways to look forward with a more positive approach. Since the release of the McKinsey report in 2000 and the ending of the New Zealand Wool Board, the strong … Read more

The Clydevale Clinton Quality Employers Group has been set up to specifically meet the needs of our 20 plus dairy farmer members. In setting up the processes and procedures for the group we have endeavoured to meet critical employment standards in areas of our industry that often create problems. This has included: – Capping hours … Read more

Serotypes of Salmonella are the cause of two problems in the New Zealand sheep population. The first is enteric salmonellosis causing scours, which is widespread in the North Island and in the South Island effects Canterbury, Otago and Southland. The Second is Salmonella brandenburg which causes abortions and ewe deaths. This has been seen only … Read more

The New Zealand bull beef industry can trace its beginning back to the early 1970s and the high international beef prices current at that time. Industry pioneers, recognizing the dairy farmers ‘bobby’ calf as a resource too valuable to ignore, set out to determine how best to optimize this resource. Through research, trial and error … Read more

Productivity increases by farms over the past twenty years have been large. Farmers are always looking for ways to increase output, especially in the last ten years in a period of high market returns for farm products. Productivity increases have been partly achieved through intensification. Intensification of farming systems over the last ten years has … Read more

With equity partnerships becoming a more common form of ownership for people without the initial capital needed for sole ownership, the reliance on other people becomes an increasingly important issue. If the people that you become involved with aren’t compatible with yourself then problems will arise and the partnership may dissolve or become inefficient If … Read more

Farmer actions to reduce the effects of Bureaucracy and Bureaucrats on our lives. Farmers, business ‘persons’ and citizens appear to be confronted with more and more rules and regulations that are affecting the way in which we live our daily lives and operate our business activities. The word “appear” is difficult to quantify unless one … Read more

Getting cows in calf has always been a concern for dairy farmers. The term “close to profit” describing a cow as being close to calving and earning an income sums up the need to get cows “in-calf”. Maximising the number of cows in calf or pregnant also maximises farmers opportunity to cull cows for other … Read more

The New Zealand Dairy Industry has been the envy of the world for decades for its ability to allow young people the opportunity to undertake a career path which progresses to farm ownership. So much so that it is almost a tradition that people move on to or have as their ultimate goal ‘farm ownership’. … Read more

Lewis, Chris

This research report is about probiotics, a natural means of promoting health, disease resistance and productivity in both plants and animals. The report draws on many information sources, from books, journals, trial information brochures and an interview with Dr Tim Jenkins, a prominent New Zealand microbiologist and formulator of some unique probiotic products. The report … Read more

Rising land values in New Zealand's dairy industry have made traditional farm ownership increasingly unattainable, creating a critical gap between employee career expectations and industry realities that now threatens workforce retention and long-term sustainability.