Contents

• Plant breeding for the future
  New Zealand dairy farmers today are more productive than ever, thanks to the ongoing development of geneticallysuperior plant species. But how does our rate of genetic gain stack up internationally and what challenges do we face in our efforts to breed better forages?

• Choosing the best method of disbudding and pain prevention
  It’s vital that farmers are doing everything possible to reduce the pain of disbudding and dehorning. Here we look at different methods of disbudding and pain prevention, and consider the risks and benefits.

• Natural seepage wetlands: can they reduce nitrogen losses?
  They may be generally disliked by farmers and thought of as troublesome ‘bogs’, but seepage wetlands have proven highly effective at preventing contaminants from reaching waterways.

• Science Snapshot: does sowing rate affect persistence?
  Find out the results of DairyNZ's research into different ryegrass sowing rates in different parts of New Zealand. Was there a clear winner?