Hemp/wool combo spinning a good yarn
Innovative new products using wool and hemp fibre will be developed under a new partnership between NZ Yarn and Hemp…
Recent
New irrigation head plans to win hearts, minds and ‘Soals’
The public are a lot more aware and educated about water and the environment, according to IrrigationNZ’s newly appointed chief…
Lamb prices running out of steam
The gap is closing between 2019 season and 2018 season prices, says ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny.
Big push on for honey sector levy
A major campaign is in its final stages to gain support for a commodity levy for the bee industry.
New chair for booming hort sector
Horticulture presents a major opportunity for this country, says Barry O’Neil, new chairman of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
National
Canterbury nutrient limits take effect
Environment Canterbury says the Nutrient Management and Waitaki Plan Change, Plan Change 5 to the Land & Water Regional Plan,…
Rural broadband increase welcomed – more needed
An announcement of increased rural broadband and mobile coverage has been welcomed by the sector organisations, but they say more…
Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme to be reviewed
Industry input is welcome as the government reviews the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) system this year.
Britain bound with Brexit on the brink
The executive director of the Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ), Kimberly Crewther, will fly to Europe in the next…
Taratahi problems seen in 2018
The problems at Taratahi were laid open, prior to its interim liquidation in December, in August last year.
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
New year, new start for Fonterra shareholders — Editorial
OPINION: Fonterra shareholders are starting 2019 with high expectations.
Changes coming for water regs
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta outlines the Government’s moves to ensure safe drinking water and to reduce environmental damage from…
It’s time to look at soil health
Spare a thought for soil — arguably our most underappreciated natural resource.
Brexit: Comedy or tragedy?
OPINION: If you're thinking of holidaying in Britain and love theatre, skip the theatres of London’s West End and head…
Red tape choking primary sector productivity
OPINION: Immigration NZ should attract immigrants to our primary sector as well as they attract overseas investors and entrepreneurs to…
Agribusiness
Expo to highlight latest rural communications
The latest in rural communications will again be high on the agenda at the East Coast Farming Expo.
Extra production does not necessarily mean extra dollars
The extra and hidden costs of bringing in feed can often mean increased milk production, but not increased operating profit.
Countdown on for East Coast Farming Expo
In a little under four months, the East Coast Farming Expo will return for a fourth year of innovation, interaction…
China remains the key to dairy prices
China remains the key to where the global marketplace is heading in dairy prices, says Westpac economist Anne Boniface.
Kiwifruit may be the ticket
Growing confidence in the kiwifruit sector is providing new opportunities for pastoral farmers.
Management
Ideas coming thick and fast at RMPP Action Network
Farmers are reported to have joined a Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) Action Group at Rangiwahia to upskill the people in their businesses and boost their profitability.
Farming systems will need to change
Farmers will have to look at their fundamental farming systems if they are to meet future nitrogen leaching limits, claims DairyNZ science manager Dave McCall.
Deer farmer no quitter
When 300mm of rain fell in four hours and blew out a year’s worth of environmental mitigation work, Steve Borland admits “it just about broke me”.
Would you happily eat that?
Farmers need to ask themselves how often they have loaded onto a truck an animal they would not be happy eating, says Nuffield scholar David Kidd.
Dairy farmers' profitable sideline
The jersey-cross beef business at his Whangarei Heads dairy farm is a sideline – but it is a valuable sideline, says Murray Jagger.
Farm Health
Farmers urged not to forget TB
Farmers, especially in the South Island, are being reminded that while Mycoplasma bovis has captured headlines, TB is a continuing…
NAIT online to be upgraded
NAIT says its online system is set to be enhanced by an interactive map to help users accurately define a…
NAIT for sheep?
Bringing sheep into the NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) system may be a way of getting more value out…
Get a feel for ewes’ body condition
Weaning is an ideal time to body condition score (BCS) ewes as it allows valuable summer feed to be partitioned…
Don’t get ticked off this season — or next!
New Zealand appears to be lucky in having only one major livestock tick.
Machinery & Products
An ‘a-mazing’ set of records
A US family-owned farming operation has set not one, but two new Guinness World Records by harvesting 1111 tonnes of…
One for Santa’s list
With Christmas just around the corner, farmers thoughts will be on finding a gift for the domestic manager, the ankle-biters…
Earthquaker leaves its mark
Aitchison's Earthquaker subsoiler helps break soil pans and improves drainage.
Middle of the pack UTV
Kawasaki's recently introduced Pro-MX UTV sits between the larger, three-seater Mule Pro-FX and the compact Mule-SX.
Tractor and machinery sales on track for record
Sales of tractors are up 17% on this time last year and could set a record by year-end, says NZ…
Motoring
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…
Mercedes ute sets a new standard
It took a while to get here, but now it’s arrived the Mercedes X-Class has created a stir at the…
Touring around in comfort
Okay Holden, you’re not fooling anyone with your raised ride height and plastic wheel arches; the Calais-V Tourer is no…
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The Hound
No sh*t Sherlock
Sadly it looks like 2019 is going to be no different from last year regarding the anti-farming stance taken by…
MIA?
Meanwhile, at the same time as the political activists at Bitch & Complain were publicising their dodgy survey results, the…
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Popular Reads
Extra production does not necessarily mean extra dollars
The extra and hidden costs of bringing in feed can often mean increased milk production, but not increased operating profit.
Ex-director suggests Fonterra suspends dividends
A former Fonterra director says the co-op could suspend dividends to shore up its balance sheet rather than sell key…
Farming systems will need to change
Farmers will have to look at their fundamental farming systems if they are to meet future nitrogen leaching limits, claims…
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’.