Zespri kiwifruit sets sail for Asia
The first shipment of this season’s kiwifruit is on its way to Asia.
Recent
‘Helicropping’ could take off
Aerial application of herbicides, fertiliser and seeds could be the answer to preventing soil erosion.
New online Mycoplasma bovis tool
A new online tool is part of the quest to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.
Stop slugs munching your profits
The last few planting seasons have seen favourable conditions for slugs.
Swiss breed proves a heavy hitter
In beef progeny trials by Beef + Lamb NZ across NZ, initial weight-based results show Simmental are performing at the…
National
Mainlanders promise bigger and better
The organisers say this year’s South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) will be bigger and more diverse than ever.
Fruit fly controls lifted
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburbs of Devonport and Ōtara have been lifted after…
Weather impacts farm sales
Farm sales dropped slightly, according to data released today by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.
Environment top priority for red meat farmers
Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s chief executive Sam McIvor says the environment is at the heart of everything sheep and…
NZ meat branding trial in California
Farmers at Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s annual meeting in Timaru yesterday were treated to an exclusive look at its…
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
Axe most of TWG’s recommendations
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to reject most of the raft of new taxes proposed by the Tax…
Laughing gas no laughing matter
Making changes to farm management practices, rather than expensive infrastructure, can help reduce greenhouse gases.
Sorting the wizards from the prophets
OPINION: Environmentalists fall into two categories: wizards and prophets.
Time to regulate all stock agents
Federated Farmers' meat and wool council is calling for compulsory regulation of stock agents.
Reality bites for free trade with EU — Editorial
OPINION: The PM's unrealistic claim of a free trade agreement with the EU before the end of the year is proving…
Agribusiness
Less milk wasted
A Christchurch start-up has been recognised at a major Australian agricultural technology event for its technology aimed at minimising waste…
Keeping an eye on honey in real time
A Hamilton company has developed a real-time system that enables beekeepers to see data on their hives’ weight, temperature and…
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…
Management
Stop slugs munching your profits
The last few planting seasons have seen favourable conditions for slugs.
Swiss breed proves a heavy hitter
In beef progeny trials by Beef + Lamb NZ across NZ, initial weight-based results show Simmental are performing at the top of the breeds.
‘Helicropping’ could take off
Aerial application of herbicides, fertiliser and seeds could be the answer to preventing soil erosion.
Genomics key to smaller, efficient herds
The call for dairy farmers to prepare now for a future with smaller, more productive herds depends on access to superior dairy sires.
Sheep and beef focus for 2019
Two farms from the North Island east coast and one from Central Hawkes Bay are the finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua competition for the top Māori sheep and beef farm.
Farm Health
New online Mycoplasma bovis tool
A new online tool is part of the quest to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.
Improve NAIT reporting or face consequences
A closer watch will be kept on the NAIT accounts of farmers and NAIT users who choose not to record…
Don’t balls-up ram selection
Don't balls-up your ram selection is sage advice for farmers about picking sires as mating time approaches.
Improve NAIT reporting or face consequences
A closer watch will be kept on the NAIT accounts of farmers and NAIT users who choose not to record…
Machinery & Products
Baling innovations keep on coming
While the German manufacturer Krone can claim a history dating back 115 years, its large square balers are much more…
No downfall for Nemesis
The Canadian manufacturer Versatile is well known for building no-nonsense 4WD articulated tractors.
Twist-n-go electric bike all this farmer needs
Waikato dairy farmer Craig Brown's Ubco all-electric bike is making him big savings on fuel and maintenance.
Cultivator on road to success
The new Kuhn Performer 3000, with a 3m working width, extends the existing Performer 4, 5, 6 and 7m tine/disc…
Lemken thrives in tough year
The German farm machinery maker Lemken says it grew its business in 2018 despite difficult trading conditions.
Motoring
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.
G-Class Professional built tough for outdoors
The Mercedes G-Class Professional is a military-grade tough, yet smooth, vehicle.
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…
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The Hound
Light reading
In a follow-up to this old mutt’s piece two issues ago about Fonterra directors getting to grips with the co-op’s…
Shocking
There are many stories from ‘the impossible to believe, but believable’ files that your old mate is often told about.
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Popular Reads
Westland Milk to be sold to Chinese dairy giant
Chinese dairy giant Yili will pay $588 million for dairy co-op Westland Milk, it was announced overnight.
Shock on social media at Westland sale
The proposed sale of Westland Milk to Chinese company Yili is causing alarm among social media users.
A nice little earner
Landcorp is paying members of its contentious environmental reference group (ERG) $1500 a day each – far more than other…
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’.