Attracting young Kiwis into hort sector
Opening the gateway to new career and education opportunities in New Zealand’s booming apple and pear industry is underway with…
Recent
Ploughing in the mist
Heavy fog added to the atmosphere of the 64th National Ploughing Championships, held recently at Chertsey, near Rakaia, in Mid…
Holden’s big SUV adventure
Determined to reinvent itself as an adventurous SUV brand, Holden recently invaded the far flung Chatham Islands, shipping in its entire…
Hames elected to LIC board
Northland farmer Ken Hames has been elected to the Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) board.
Dairy’s top woman backs recycling
Dairy Woman of the Year Trish Rankin has a message for all farmers: recycling systems work and it is worth…
National
Climate change may impact kiwifruit
Climate change may force the kiwifruit industry to look for new places to grow its vines – especially the green…
Super-fruit punching above its weight
New Zealand blackcurrants have been found by the University of Auckland to have high levels of a key nutrient that…
World reopens for NZ asparagus
An asparagus breeder sees scope for the industry making a “tremendous breakthrough” via the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific…
All ‘Barred’-up over M. bovis
South Canterbury rural consultant Sarah Barr says there is a huge degree of anxiety on the ground over the surge…
Trade talks on target - just
European Union and New Zealand trade officials are still hopeful that agreement on a free trade agreement (FTA) will be…
World
Fines for farm invaders
Animal rights activists entering Queensland farms without permission now face being fined.
Australia’s last dairy co-op popular
Australia's last surviving iconic dairy cooperative, Norco, says it’s getting enquiries daily from farmers wanting to supply it milk.
Where to for the UK?
“On a knife-edge,” is how NZ’s former high commissioner to London, Sir Lockwood Smith, describes the British government’s EU exit plans.
Not even a wild Atlantic storm can stop the Irish
The Irish sure know how to throw a good party, as experienced last month at the National Ploughing Association event at Screggan, County Offaly, Ireland.
Call for Brexit revote
Britain should hold a second referendum on Brexit to make sure the British people fully understand what they will be in for when the UK leaves the European Union (EU) in six months.
Opinion
A defence or just more hot air?
Winston Peters on the mixed reactions to the Government's Zero Carbon Bill.
Killing the golden cow? — Editorial
OPINION: The proposed livestock methane target reduction looks like a case of the Government killing the golden goose – or more correctly…
Could quads be on the way out?
A stoush is brewing in the quad arena in Australia.
Progress is being made on nutrient management
OPINION: Most of us are under the impression that all New Zealand has fertile soil that’s great for growing food. It’s…
Making pesticides safe
OPINION: A culture of trepidation about consuming foods which have been exposed to pesticides is misleading and has sparked much confusion…
Agribusiness
Dairy’s top woman backs recycling
Dairy Woman of the Year Trish Rankin has a message for all farmers: recycling systems work and it is worth…
Border biosecurity need tech upgrade
A review of biosecurity controls at New Zealand borders recommends continuously adapting new technology.
How McDonald's changed a farm
A large East Coast Māori-owned farm has the McDonald's restaurant chain to thank for its recent improvements.
Embrace challenges – don’t run from them
Disruption is happening whether we like it or not, says Dave Maslen, NZ Merino general manager for markets and sustainability.
Less milk wasted
A Christchurch start-up has been recognised at a major Australian agricultural technology event for its technology aimed at minimising waste…
Management
Finalists show how its done
At the end of May, the winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori sheep and beef farm will be announced at a gala dinner in Gisborne.
Award for planning tool
Ballance Agri Nutrients’ farm environment planning tool MitAgator last month won the Smart Farming Award at the South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee.
Large players struggling to adjust to challenges
Many very large food companies, particularly in the US, are struggling to adjust to the changing tastes of consumers, says Nick Fereday, RaboResearch senior analyst consumer foods.
Farming on Mt Horrible
Farming is a three-generation family affair for the Haywards of Mt Horrible, near Timaru.
Pasture growth raises morale
Scattered rain over the past few weeks has been enough to encourage new pasture growth, helping to raise morale amongst Waikato’s farmers.
Farm Health
Strong cow sale for Angus stud
Meadowslea Stud Angus, at Fairlie, says its third annual production cow sale saw solid demand from stud and commercial buyers at…
Udderly important research provides answers
While udders are vital for lamb survival, surprisingly little research has been done on udder health.
Vets ready for new horn removal rules
Vets NZ-wide are gearing up to help farmers comply with new rules on using local anesthetic while removing horn tissue from…
A little planning goes a long way
Farmers spend many hours planning their lives around the farming year, but often health and safety is left out.
Seeing the bottom of M. bovis?
An update meeting on Mycoplasma bovis in Hamilton earlier this month, threw up several questions, not least where were all the farmers?
Machinery & Products
Square-off in the tractor market
John Deere and Mahindra have squared off in the US over the latter’s advertising claims.
Golden anniversary for machinery families
Any company that has a 50-year relationship with a supplier is justified in feeling proud.
‘D’ is for a very dear Doe!
The success of a recent UK auction of 1960s tractors should be a prompt to see what’s lurking in the…
Holden’s big SUV adventure
Determined to reinvent itself as an adventurous SUV brand, Holden recently invaded the far flung Chatham Islands, shipping in its entire…
Bully machines make good impression
Founded in 1955, Pukekohe-based Fieldmaster is well known New Zealand-wide for its mowing and post driving equipment for the agricultural,…
Motoring
Puts up and impresses
Mahindra, seeking to reintroduce its products to Kiwis, recently took motoring journalists on a day-long drive from Auckland to Rotorua,…
Mercedes X350 smoother than a Hollywood star
While 2018 heralded the arrival of the long-awaited Mercedes X-Class ute, early 2019 brought with it the cream of the…
A real small-block bruiser
You wouldn't credit a 6.1L Chevy small-block V8 with a fuel economy figure of 7.8L/100km but that’s the figure displayed…
Jeep Gladiator a chariot that will attract many
2020 will see the arrival of a Jeep aimed at tapping Kiwis’ unquenchable thirst for utes, says brand distributor in…
Bold new face for Holden
Holden is putting SUVs front and centre of its plan for the future.
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Popular Reads
Wool man launches anti-synthetics petition
Every time you wash synthetic clothes, micro fibres of plastic are washed into the waterways, says Devold Wool Direct general…
Australia’s last dairy co-op popular
Australia's last surviving iconic dairy cooperative, Norco, says it’s getting enquiries daily from farmers wanting to supply it milk.
Ex-All Black enthralls with rags-to-riches tale
Former All Black Eric Rush recently inspired Northland farmers with an account of his rags-to-riches life.
Rural Life
New machinery for the vineyard
Mark Daniel on what's new in machinery for the vineyard.
New Holland launches Braud 9000 series grape harvesters
New Holland Agriculture has introduced the new Braud 9000 series to its portfolio of self-propelled grape harvesters, with the 9090L…
Collaboration increases capability
Initially designed to assist fertiliser spreading trucks operating on steep New Zealand hill country, TracMap’s GPS guidance and job management…