Drought in the central South Island has reached the point where losses cannot be limited to this year, industry representatives say.

The grower of what’s probably a new world record for barley yield says a switch to a reduced tillage system five years ago laid the foundations for this summer’s success.

Initial findings from important research on rural mental health will be released at the first-ever National Rural Health Conference at Rotorua on March 13-14.

More calls are fielded by Federated Farmers Southland about tough immigration criteria for migrants than about any other issue, says the region’s president Russell MacPherson.

Rural trader PGG Wrightson has reported a half-year gross profit of $33.6 million, its best result in seven years. Group revenue was up 3% and net profit after tax increased to $19.7 million, up from $13.4 million for the same period last year.

Beef from Kiwi Cross cows offers dairy farmers a way to boost their profits, says Firstlight Foods, Hawkes Bay.

A disturbing element of Russia’s ban on dairy and other imports is that food trade has been politicised, says Kimberly Crewther, executive director of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand.

New Zealand is making mistakes in research, data protection and biosecurity, for example, because we are terrible strategic thinkers, claims Labour’s primary industries spokesman Damien O’Connor.

Higher production is the key driver of regional economies, even though higher profit is important to farmers, says DairyNZ’s Rick Pridmore. 

The global dairy price slide seems to be over and farmers are banking on happier days ahead.

Page 909 of 1133

The Hound

New Broom

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.

Back to School

OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…

» Connect with Rural News

Popular Reads