Fines For Velveting Without Pain Relief, Illegal Slaughter and NAIT Breaches
Three men have been sentenced in District Courts after Ministry for Primary Industries prosecutions over animal welfare, food safety and cattle tracing offences.
» Featured
A Year of Delivery for Fonterra
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
Editorial: Common Sense Prevails
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.
Ex-Fonterra Suppliers Face Stricter Share Sell-Down Requirements
Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.
Aimer Farming Raises $3M to Launch AI Beef Pasture Tool
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.
Miriam Lauridsen on Farm Health and Safety Culture
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
National
Waikato Farmers Go Bull-Free With CowManager Sensors
For Waikato dairy farmers Jackie and Toby O’Reilly, wearable technology has become as important a management tool as good cow families and strong genetics.
El Niño “Irrigated Drought” Risk for Dairy Farmers
Keeping up with pasture moisture demands is likely to be the key challenge for dairy farmers during this season’s El Niño weather pattern, says Blue Skies Weather & Climate Services meteorologist Tony Trewinnard.
DairyNZ Strategy Review: Farmer Feedback Closes 15 Nov
Farmers have until the end of this week to help shape DairyNZ’s future focus.
NZ Dairy Hits Record 2 Billion kgMS in 2025/26 Season
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.
World
Dawn Meats acquires German distributor Alexander Eyckeler GmbH
Irish meat processor Dawn Meats has acquired Alexander Eyckeler GmbH, a long-standing German customer and partner of Alliance Group, for…
Fertiliser Prices Surge as FAO Flags Global Food Security Risks
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has issued a stark warning about the global implications of…Arla Foods delivers $15b revenue as Co-op turns 25
European dairy giant Arla Foods celebrated its 25th anniversary as a cross-border, farmer-owned co-operative with a solid half-year result.Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accord
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows…NZ–Canada dairy trade dispute resolved
The long running trade dispute between NZ and Canada appears to be over.Opinion
Editorial: Common Sense Prevails
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right…
Boots Off, Brains Unplugged
OPINION: Across the country, farmers are juggling stock, pasture, animal health, fertiliser, contractors, staff, weather, cash flow and an endless…A Rural Vote Splitting Headache
OPINION: Farmers have felt increasingly disempowered and disregarded of recent decades. Larger farms and fewer owners have reduced the rural…Editorial: Support Dairy
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.A Strong Dairy Sector Means a Strong New Zealand
OPINION: New Zealand dairy is delivering. In the year to June, dairy exports earned a record $28.8 billion for New…Agribusiness
Aimer Farming Raises $3M to Launch AI Beef Pasture Tool
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including…
DairyBase Benchmarking: Manawatū Farm Switches to Fodder Beet
As farmers look for smarter ways to make every dollar go further, Manawatu dairy farmer Kevin Argyle is using benchmarking…AgriZeroNZ CEO Wayne McNee Resigns; Interim CEO Named
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.Canterbury Farmers Gather to Explore What Daily Cow Body Condition Scoring Reveals
More than 428,000 daily body condition scores from 36 farms will be unpacked at a Dunsandel farmer evening on 25…Inside CFMOTO’s Hangzhou HQ
"Live the tech – ride the future” was the theme for the recent CFMOTO Experience hosted at their Hangzhou headquarters…Management
Tīrau Family Goes Robotic With Two GEA DairyRobots
Installing two GEA DairyRobots R9500s marks a major step in the Coubrough family’s journey towards a more automated, future-ready farming operation.
Dairy Farm Solar: Waikato Farmers Share Costs, Lessons
Soaring electricity costs spurred Dave and Alice Swney into investigating the possibility of solar energy on their farm just out of Te Awamutu in the Waikato. Just over one year post installation they are already reaping the rewards.
Meet the Grower of the Future
OPINION: Recently I had the privilege of hosting the leadership panel for the 2026 Young Grower of the Year competition and seeing firsthand how the next generation of growers will drive horticulture forward in New Zealand.
Dairy Effluent Management: Right Amount at the Right Time
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.
How Much N Does Your Maize Crop Really Need?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had several conversations about nitrogen (N) management in maize crops for the coming planting season.
Farm Health
Choline and Methionine: Tiny Nutrients, Big Impact
Having spent more than 23 years in the New Zealand dairy industry as a dairy farmer, technical adviser, and dairy farm consultant, including seven years working directly with farmers to improve herd performance and profitability, I have learned that outstanding fertility results rarely happen by chance.
The Power of Refugia
Worms are present on every farm; it’s ensuring there are enough worms that are susceptible to drench within your farm system, through the use of refugia, that is a key tool in slowing the rise of drench resistance.
Methionine: More Than Milk Protein
In dairy nutrition, methionine usually comes up in terms of milk protein and production, but this misses a lot of what this essential amino acid is doing behind the scenes.
Should You Drench Your Ewes at Tail Docking?
With ewes and lambs coming to the yards at tail docking, it's tempting to drench the ewes 'while they're here'. Wormwise vet Mary Bowron urges farmers to consider the variables before getting out the drench gun. Do ewes actually need a drench at tail docking? Well, it depends.
Early Weaning Lambs: What the Massey Trials Found
Farmers with high-quality feed available in late spring could consider weaning at least a proportion of their lamb crop early to benefit both lambs and ewes.
Machinery & Products
Tractor Sales Fall in Most Major Markets Ahead of EIMA 2026
The market is in decline in the United States, Canada and Brazil. In Europe, sales are falling in Germany, France and Spain. Turkey is experiencing a sharp decline, whilst the economic strategies and policies implemented by India and China are driving purchases in both countries.
SAM e-Spreader Now Connects Directly to Tabula
Hamilton-based manufacturer SAM Machinery and Hawke’s Bay’s Tabula have joined forces to offer customers more ways to connect its spreaders with the technology they already use in the cab.
Claas Balers Turn 30
Claas built its first variable chamber round baler - the Variant 100 - in 1996, so 2026 marks 30 years and the fifth generation of the Variant name, recently complemented by the new Cerex Series introduced in 2025.
Alpego Cracker Subsoiler: 3-in-1 Compaction Fix from OriginAg
Distributed in New Zealand by OriginAg and supported by its nationwide dealer network, the Italian-built Alpego brand offers an extensive range of solutions including power harrows, rotary hoes, mulchers and subsoilers.
John Deere 500R Self-Propelled Sprayer Arrives in NZ
John Deere is introducing its 500R self-propelled sprayer to the NZ market, offering small-grain growers a new option designed for precise application, operator comfort and efficient field performance.
Motoring
Foton Launches Tunland V Series Ute Range in New Zealand
Foton has returned to the New Zealand light commercial vehicle market with the launch of the all-new Tunland V Series…
Subaru New Zealand Unveils All-Electric Trailseeker SUV Ahead of September 2026 Launch
Subaru New Zealand has announced the all-new, all-electric Trailseeker will join its SUV line-up in September 2026.Toyota Hilux Celebrates 50 Years in New Zealand with New BEV Model
Since arriving on New Zealand’s shores in 1976, the Hilux has been seen of farms, building sites and back roads,…Kia Tasman ute launches in NZ
Stepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just…Ford's new addition
Ford New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
'LinkedIn Greens'
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
UK Warning
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
Milking It
Not Out of the Woods Yet
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
Peters Targets Fonterra
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
» Connect with Rural News
» eNewsletter
Popular Reads
Agricultural Vehicle Rule Changes Welcomed by Rural Contractors NZ
Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government…
Fonterra CFO Andrew Murray Resigns
Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.
Breckenridge to Lead Lactalis Australia
Global dairy giant Lactalis has integrated its Australian operations with the Mainland Dairy consumer business it acquired from Fonterra earlier…
