Good advice is well-worth paying for is one of the messages from part two of the ‘How Farmers Learn’ series in Country-Wide January. The Lauriston Farm Improvement Club has been running since 1956 and has 170 farmer-members who use it to varying degrees. Those interviewed say the membership cost is money well-spent. The series also covers the impact of computer courses designed for farmers and the use of a steering group in a farm business. In post-quake coverage, we look at how farmers and their families are faring in the Kaikoura region. We also have more from the recent Grassland conference including how Herstall and Aly Ulrich are changing their farming system by growing a large area of lucerne. Regional councils’ environmental plans are a hot topic around the country. Keri Johnston looks at the Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora plan and how it addresses water quality issues facing the Waikato and Waipa Rivers. In the Plant and Machinery section read about the harvest results from our UK farm drill trial and reaction to it. The Deer Farmer: Scanning for better growth Balfour Farm manager Des Ford can’t believe more deer farmers are not using scanning and recording technology. Rejuvenated business With targeted capital injections, struggling Raukura Station in Gisborne is now achieving a gross income of $922/ha and a profit before tax of $309/ha. Hot diggity dog Massey’s latest research on the impact of high quality food on dogs’ condition over thei