Ahuwhenua finalists named
The three finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori sheep and beef farm have been announced.
Recent
A capital gains tax on lifestyle homes?
A significant number of lifestyle block owners may have to pay a capital gains tax on their family home, warns…
Farmers need to update NAIT details
OSPRI is calling on NAIT users to reregister all their locations and to update their NAIT accounts following a key…
FE threat to fertility
Warm, wet weather creates perfect conditions for facial eczema (FE) and, given the right conditions, the risk of the disease…
Bad news for sheep, cattle
Traditionally, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has been considered a disease of cattle. But lately it has been found to cause infections…
National
Fair pay rules may lead to strikes – Feds
Dairy farmers are concerned about the Government’s fair pay working group recommendations, says Feds dairy chairman Chris Lewis.
Facing challenges with gusto
While the hills in Central Hawkes Bay remain green, which is remarkable for this time of the year, Porangahau farmer…
WOF for new season
Setting up for next year’s production was the theme of a Beef + Lamb NZ field day held last week…
Beetles help cut council’s crap
Hundreds of dung beetles have been released on the Wither Hills Farm Park in Blenheim.
Farms hit by Nelson fires
Six commercial farms have been destroyed by the huge fire in the hills southwest of Nelson, according to Federated Farmers.
World
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.
Drought top priority for new PM
New Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s first trip in the top job was to a drought-stricken farm in Queensland.
Drought crisis for Irish farmers
Farmers in Northern Europe – especially the UK and Ireland – are facing a crisis as drought forces them to sell stock early while they struggle to adequately feed animals remaining.
Opinion
'Fertiliser' is not a dirty word
Many people know overuse of fertiliser harms the environment, but that shouldn’t make ‘fertiliser’ a dirty word.
Beekeepers baulk at honey levy
Jane Lorimer, president of NZ Beekeeping explains why she opposes the proposed commodity levy on honey.
Don’t take us for mugs!
Farmers are out of patience with local and regional councils treating them as cash cows.
Where’s the ‘wellness’? — Editorial
A survey of ExportNZ members shows exporters are feeling anything but well about what the Government intends to deliver in…
We need to tell consumers the full story
OPINION: New Zealand food and fibre is different from those in other countries, yet not all consumers know this or…
Agribusiness
Increase in AB boosts LIC’s result
More dairy farmers are opting for artificial breeding (AB), boosting sales for LIC.
Research farm up for sale
A slice of New Zealand’s agricultural history is for sale in the form of AgResearch’s Winchmore Research Station, northwest of…
New technology will help
Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies have the potential to help our primary industries capture high-value niches, according to a new…
Students excited about Ag careers
An agri-leadership course held recently had secondary students ‘buzzing’ about career opportunities in agriculture — even though many already came…
Farmer confidence slips further
Rural confidence has fallen for the third consecutive quarter.
Management
High-energy farming event coming
This year’s East Coast Farming Expo – on March 6 and 7 at the Wairoa A&P Showground – will again have energy high on its agenda.
Plantain can reduce N-leaching
Game-changing new research into how plantain crops can reduce nitrogen (N) loss from dairy farms will see upper Manawatu farmers at the forefront of dairy science.
FEP template aims to ‘quieten noise’
ECan has approved a farm environment plan (FEP) template for use by farmers under the new Canterbury Land & Water Regional Plan.
Native plantings paying dividends
Mid-Canterbury farmer John Evans is reaping the benefits of native plantings on his farm, in the form of improved pollination and pest control.
Dung beetles ‘last piece of a big puzzle’
A greater Wellington council officer is “really proud” of dairy farmers in the region who have backed a scheme to release dung beetles.
Farm Health
Farmers need to update NAIT details
OSPRI is calling on NAIT users to reregister all their locations and to update their NAIT accounts following a key…
FE threat to fertility
Warm, wet weather creates perfect conditions for facial eczema (FE) and, given the right conditions, the risk of the disease…
Bad news for sheep, cattle
Traditionally, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has been considered a disease of cattle. But lately it has been found to cause infections…
Comparing apples with oranges in insemination
It is true that the current frozen sexed semen product SexedULTRA 4M is the result of almost three decades of…
Herd testing offers peace of mind
Herd testing, whether it heralds good or bad news, is ultimately good for a farm’s viability and for a farmer's…
Machinery & Products
Turbine-powered drone aimed at farming sector
The world may be going all-out on electric vehicles, but GCH Aviation, Christchurch, is trialling a large, gas turbine-powered drone…
Thumbs up for strip tilling
To farm more sustainably and profitably, many farmers and contractors are exploring the advantages offered by strip-tilling.
25 years of selective seeding
After 25 years in electrical seed metering, Kverneland claims more knowledge in electric drive systems than any other precision seeding…
A new standard in sprayers
A new range of trailed and self-propelled sprayers from German manufacturer Horsch is now available in New Zealand from distributor…
Weed wipers get an upgrade
Rotowiper manufacturers a wide range of weed wipers — from 1.8 to 12m in several configurations.
Motoring
HSV ute a cohesive upgrade
The after-market options for utes are extensive, but there’s a big difference between a properly engineered package and a ute…
Car of the year an easy choice
Having driven the 2019 Subaru Forester at Queenstown and through the Bendigo Station at the media launch in August, your…
Ford’s revamped 4x4 mounts a number of challenges
The modern trend to fewer cubic centimetres and more gear ratios continues as car manufacturers chase better fuel economy and…
Volkswagen Transporter Runner an impressive ride
Kiwis remain fixated on utes of every shape, size and price, but we wonder whether in the rural sector the…
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The Hound
Pull your heads in
The Hound was disappointed but not surprised to see the multi-national, tax-dodging environmental group Greenpeace have another crack at NZers…
Unfortunate timing
Your old mate reckons Fonterra is not the only dairy company in NZ now under pressure.
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Popular Reads
Columnist facing calls to apologise to Wilson’s family
A New Zealand Herald columnist, who questioned the retirement of former Fonterra chairman John Wilson in July last year, is…
Wilson farewelled in Hamilton
Former Fonterra chairman John Wilson was farewelled in Hamilton today by family, co-op colleagues, farmers and friends.
Tariffs put squeeze on tomato exports
An increased focus on exports for New Zealand tomatoes could see the sector double its 2014 value by 2020.
Rural Life
Ozone in the vineyard
The word ozone conjures up images of big holes in the atmosphere, stronger UV light, the risk of severe sunburn…
Drones versus birds
Drones may soon be joining the armoury of weapons used to scare birds away from ripening grapes after a trial…
Boss woman has earned her stripes
Nicky Hutchinson “never dreamed” of becoming ‘The Boss’.