Trust Chinese investors - banker
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
» Featured
Electric Cherries: NZ’s first all-electric orchard leading the way in sustainable horticulture
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
FAR combine harvester workshops win technology innovation award
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
'China And' policy all about building exports - PM
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
Canada backs down in dairy dispute
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
Police urge rural property owners to improve security and prevent theft
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
National
Forestry company fined $112,500 for evironmental breaches near Waihi
Convictions and fines totalling $112,500 have been imposed on a logging company for repeated environmental damage on a farm near Wahi between August 2022 and October 2023.
Conrad Smith: Farming and sport share similar demands
The challenges of high-performance sport and farming are not as dissimilar as they may first appear.
Dr William Ferguson reflects on Kumeu’s transformation and rural general practice
In an ever-changing world, things never stay completely the same. Tropical jungles can turn into concrete ones criss-crossed by motorways, or shining cities collapse into ghost towns.
Labour warns against sacrificing productive farmland for housing expansion
Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.
World
UK removes tariffs on US ethanol, alarming farmers
While Donald Trump seems to deliver a new tariff every few days, there seems to be an endless stream of…
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…Opinion
Farmer concerns are grounded in reality, not 'no-hope narratives'
OPINION: The 'Save Our Sheep' campaign is built on a foundation of structure, integrity, and evidence from the Federated Farmers…
'We need a heart change'
OPINION: I trust my column today finds all things well at your place. The buoyant schedules we are enjoying at…Editorial: Battle lines drawn
OPINION: Climate change is shaping up to be one of the major issues at next year's general election.Ringing the alarm bells loudly
OPINION: Ruminant methane mitigation tools were a bit of a joke when first proposed; surely no one would be foolish…Editorial: Sensible move
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of…Agribusiness
PGG Wrightson buys Nexan Group for $20 million
Rural supply business PGG Wrightson Ltd has bought animal health products manufacturer Nexan Group for $20 million.
$150B farm succession challenge looms for NZ agriculture
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued…Meyer Cheese invests $3.5 million in state-of-the-art Waikato facility
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance…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.Management
Value of feedpads expands beyond reducing waste
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with many farmers at events and one-on-one.
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
Striking it right with set-stock rates
Ewe feed requirements lift markedly in the last month before lambing.
Probiotics help calf rearing systems
Success in calf rearing is often measured by minimising health issues and achieving target weaning weights.
Good nutrition will support smooth calving
As dairy farmers know all too well, the calving season brings with it significant nutritional demands on the herd.
Still feeding minerals like its 1991?
We've come a long way in dairy farming over the past couple of decades. Genetics are better, sheds are more modern and we have more data at our fingertips than ever before.
Health checks for cows now simpler, faster, and tailored
At the heart of the SmaXtec system is the ability to monitor animal health, including early disease detection, alongside reproduction issues such as heat identification, optimal insemination windows, calving notifications-on average 15 hours before the eventalongside abortion detection and fertility issues.
Machinery & Products
Case IH launches G500V VariCut grain headers for enhanced combine performance
Case IH has announced new G500V VariCut variable knife grain headers for its Axial-Flow combine harvesters with features aimed at enhancing performance and easing operator workloads.
Electric Cherries: NZ’s first all-electric orchard leading the way in sustainable horticulture
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
FAR combine harvester workshops win technology innovation award
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Hawke’s Bay farmer uses Auto Weigher to boost cattle performance and efficiency
Hawke's Bay farmer Matthew Barham manages up to 2000 cattle across his 1020-hectare operation, typically a mix of Charolais, Angus and Simmental X steers and bulls, arriving at 12-16 months of age.
AGCO and TAFE resolve long-running dispute over Massey Ferguson brand rights
The drawn out separation of global giant AGCO and its Indian partner TAFE seems to be ending.
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
Arable advocacy?
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…
Gaslight much?
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…
Milking It
Cuddling cows
OPINION: Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its…
Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content…
» 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.
Halter raises $165m, company valued at $1.65b
New Zealand tech company Halter has raised $165 million from investors in its latest fundraising round.
Outrage won't pay the bills
OPINION: Across rural conversations, we're heading the same tune: crisis.
