Data sharing initiative wins national award for saving farmers time
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
» Featured
India–New Zealand FTA talks continue in Delhi as officials pursue trade breakthrough
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
Fibre broadband expansion to 95% of NZ gets green light – a win for rural connectivity
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Dairy sector flush with cash – but is it really in great shape?
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
Banking Advisor: Most dairy farmers don’t fully understand how banks assess credit
A leading financial and banking advisor says he doubts if most dairy farmers fully understand the dynamics of banking.
National
Karl Dean elected new Federated Farmers dairy chair, focuses on sector's future
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
IFSO urges flood-affected residents to document damage for insurance
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
New Federated Farmers meat and wool chair praises predecessor
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
DairyNZ lifts breakeven milk price forecast to $8.68 for 2025/26 season
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
World
India–New Zealand FTA talks continue in Delhi as officials pursue trade breakthrough
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement…
Nestle announces succession plan for board chair
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.Wilmar hands over US$725m ‘court security’ in Indo graft case
Reuters reports that giant food company Wilmar Group has announced it had handed over 11.8 trillion rupiah (US$725 million) to…Aussie farmers get A$8.60/kgMS as opening milk price
Australian dairy farmers supplying Fonterra are getting an opening weighted average milk price of A$8.60/kgMS for the new season or…Fonterra to appeal Aussie court ruling
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.Opinion
The politics of climate change
OPINION: The Financial Times, a major international newspaper, featured New Zealand on its front page at the beginning of June.…
Outrage won't pay the bills
OPINION: Across rural conversations, we're heading the same tune: crisis.Farmers are quietly solving one of our biggest problems
OPINION: As food insecurity deepens across New Zealand, a powerful solution is quietly unfolding in our rural communities - and…Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence…Best placed to help in a crisis
OPINION: Two years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, I've learned that while the power of Mother Nature is formidable, it is…Agribusiness
Felicity Roxburgh appointed Executive Director of New Zealand International Business Forum
The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) has announced Felicity Roxburgh will take over as its new executive director.
New Zealand to host 2026 Red Dairy Cow Conference in March
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.Rabobank flags rising global dairy prices, warns of downside risks ahead
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is…Halter raises $165m, company valued at $1.65b
New Zealand tech company Halter has raised $165 million from investors in its latest fundraising round.ASB launches new loan to help NZ farmers switch to solar power
As electricity prices soar, farmers appear to be looking for alternative energy sources.Management
Serratia-linked Mastitis a wake-up call for Waikato farmer
Waikato farmer Craig Clausen had an unpleasant experience after an outbreak of mastitis cases on farm, suspected to be caused by the pathogen Serratia.
Te Herenga o Te Rā combines solar power and sheep grazing
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Best practices for optimal pasture application
Good effluent management on a dairy farm combines a well-designed system with proper processes to ensure the right amount of effluent gets applied to pasture at the right time.
Future-focused animal evaluation to drive genetic gains in NZ dairy sector
New Zealand's dairy sector has long been a global leader in productivity and efficiency, but to stay competitive, it's crucial that the sector keeps pace with advancements in genetic gain.
Team effort behind new ryegrass cultivar to future-proof pastoral farming
It takes a team approach to produce a new cultivar of ryegrass, match-fit to meet the future challenges of pastoral farming.
Farm Health
Handling sheep with care
I wrote an article in the May 6th issue of Rural News about how when set-stocking ewes for lambing, they need spreading lightly - and topped up with cattle after the lambs have dropped.
Dairy sector commits to major role in new Foot and Mouth readiness agreement
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
B+LNZ supports launch of DAGI to help farmers manage parasites and reduce drench use
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is a funding partner of DAGI (Drench and Grazing Integration), a new digital tool designed to help farmers manage parasites more efficiently and reduce reliance on drenches.
Beef + Lamb NZ launches survey to understand facial eczema’s social impact
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
Keeping cows stress free during transition period
It's common to look at reproductive challenges through the lens of the mating season. If cows aren’t cycling, if submission rates are low, or if too many come up empty, most farmers will dig into their mating programme to figure out what went wrong.
Machinery & Products
Case IH launches new Tier 3 Puma Tractor at Fieldays
Case IH is expanding its popular Puma range in New Zealand, with a new model that was released at Fieldays.
Massey Ferguson 8S tractor makes history in Morocco Desert Challenge
It seems that tractor manufacturers will go to great efforts to promote the versatility and durability of their offerings, a recent example being a Massey Ferguson with an 8S tractor entered into the Morocco Desert Challenge.
LDV unveils all-new Terron 9 Elite ute
As if there wasn’t enough choice in the New Zealand ute market, LDV New Zealand is expanding its offering, by showcasing the all-new Terron 9 Elite at Fieldays.
John Deere acquires Sentera to boost smart farming capabilities
While tractors combines and machinery for agriculture and construction is still its key business, John Deere appears to be taking opportunities in the hightech sector via acquisition, with the recent purchase of Sentera, a Minnesota-based company that specialises in equipment for capturing and interpreting aerial images.
Fendt 600 Vario Series arrives in NZ
Released in New Zealand earlier in the year, the new Fendt 600 Vario series, serving the 150-200hp category, is a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor with high performance and payload, at a low power-to-weight ratio.
Motoring
Ford's new addition
Ford New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…
Jimny goes 5-door
Fifty years ago, Suzuki was a pioneer in developing a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fourwheel drive capability and…Big tick for a big truck
Electric cars and big American trucks can both bring a little anxiety, but for different reasons.RAM hits 20K!
In a market dominated by utes, Ram Trucks Australia has just put the finishing touches on its 20,000th right-hand drive…Fastest, most powerful Ram
RAM distributor Ateco has always made the point that they sell trucks that eat Utes for breakfast.» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Overbearing?
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
Foot-in-mouth
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…
Milking It
Dairy unity
OPINION: A last-minute compromise ensured that the election of the new Federated Farmers national dairy chair wasn't a repeat of…
That old chestnut
OPINION: Just as it's healthy for cockies to get out of the shed and off the farm occasionally to get…
» Connect with Rural News
» eNewsletter
Popular Reads
Open Country Dairy prepares to launch first commercial butter
The country's second largest milk processor hopes to produce its first commercial butter within two months.
Serratia-linked Mastitis a wake-up call for Waikato farmer
Waikato farmer Craig Clausen had an unpleasant experience after an outbreak of mastitis cases on farm, suspected to be caused…
'Grand Alliance' growing grass-fed beef exports to China
Alliance Group and Grand Farm have signed a strategic co-operation agreement with a focus on delivering more premium New Zealand…
