Recent
Drought causes fall in sheep numbers
The number of sheep fell by 3% in the year ended June 2020, Statistics NZ says.Red meat exports exceed $1 billion
New Zealand exported red meat and co-products worth just over $1 billion during March 2021, according to the latest analysis…Primary sector exports defy challenges
Primary sector exporters, take a bow.Fonterra unveils capital structure plans
Fonterra has unveiled plans to overhaul its capital structure.National
Happy Valley dairy plant finally gets off the ground
Construction of Waikato's newest milk processing plant will finally start later this year.
Charter vessels saviour for Zespri
Zespri has switched to using mostly charter refrigerated container ships this year to get its kiwifruit to major markets, rather…Report dismisses NZ spud growers claims
Potato growers aren't giving up their fight against cheaper frozen french fries imports from the European Union.An 'amaizing' change
The success of some of the early Māori adopters in the kiwifruit industry is starting to catch on.Māori seek more leadership in kiwifruit sector
Anaru Timutimu wants to see more Māori in leadership roles in the kiwifruit industryWorld
Irish farmers confront similar conundrum
Irish farmers are facing similar concerns to their NZ counterparts about how they can reduce the agriculture sector's greenhouse gas (GHG) contributions without severely restricting their future production and profitability.
NSW to lift GM crop moratorium
The NSW Government has announced that a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) food crops will be lifted in the state from 1 July 2021, ending an 18-year ban.
NZ and China sign FTA upgrade
Trade Ministers for New Zealand and China have signed an upgrade to the free trade agreement between the two countries.
NZ to host virtual APEC
New Zealand will be in the virtual spotlight for the next 12 months as it hosts the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference.
Pledge to end child labour in agriculture
The director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, has pledged to intensify efforts toward addressing child labour in agriculture through a dedicated work programme.
Opinion
Over-the-top, state control
Rural Advocacy Network chairman Jamie McFadden was a key speaker at the recent round of Groundswell NZ meetings. He spoke…
Shape up or ship out!
OPINION: Damien! What were you thinking, banning the live export trade?Editorial: One voice?
OPINION: "Where the bloody hell are you?"Editorial: Political expediency
OPINION: Moves by the Government to end New Zealand's live export trade is more about politics than ethics.Real knowledge comes with time
OPINION:Always having a bit of a soft spot for the underdog, I have to admit I enjoyed seeing the Highlanders…Agribusiness
Primary sector exports defy challenges
Primary sector exporters, take a bow.
Arrivederci Nikki!
In a matter of days, kiwifruit growers organisation (NZKGI) chief executive Nikki Johnson will leave her role at NZKGI.Amazing travels in Ag sector
The 2021 Dairy Woman of the Year says her win is "pretty amazing".Aussie machinery sector booms on back of government incentive
New tractor sales in Australia look to be on track to hit the 14,000 mark for the year.Cattle prices remain strong
Strong demand and limited cattle supplies saw cattle prices rise across most major cattle producing countries.Management
Support and resources available for farmers impacted by dry
Farmers in regions facing dry or extremely dry conditions are being urged to tap into the resources available to them through their industry good organisations and MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries).
Capturing the benefits of catch crops
Winter forage grazing is used extensively in the South Island as a low-cost system to feed dairy cows and build body condition prior to calving in late winter.
Care needed flushing ewes on lucerne
Farmers considering using lucerne as a flushing feed going into ewe mating should be cautious, especially if the weather has been wet and warm.
Otago Action Group keen to carry on
The Otago-based Bruce District Action Group is transitioning to a self-funded group now that the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) has ended.
A focus on pasture resilience
Pasture resilience will be the key theme of this year's Pasture Symposium, which is being held in the Waikato during May.
Farm Health
New rules for on-farm procedures
New animal welfare regulations come into effect on 9 May. These will affect many common procedures carried out on farms,…
Plan for hogget breeding
Bioeconomic modelling, published by Massey University PhD student Lydia Farrell in 2020 and more recent work by the team, has…Mats put cow comfort to the fore
Rubber matting for cow comfort is well established in the northern hemisphere, where dairy herds can be housed for up…Keeping FE at bay
Facial Eczema (FE) is caused by spores of a fungus growing on the litter in the base of the sward.Warnings for wintering ewes on fodder beet
Sheep farmers adopting fodder beet for winter grazing are being warned that it could result in serious under-nutrition in multiple-bearing…Machinery & Products
Made in NZ... Hansen Products
Made in New Zealand looks at the wealth of design and manufacturing ability we have in this country, producing productive…
Rising material costs putting pressure on machinery pricing
The world economy is recovering, but a surge in raw material prices is pushing production costs to all-time highs.New models mark seventh decade
Celebrating its 70th year – and having already released the fifth generation A Series in January – Valtra has just…Connected support helps keep contractor working
With a diverse customer base scattered throughout North Canterbury, the reliability of the equipment used by farming contractor Rotherham Machinery…Kubota's new autumn offerings
Kubota, which is gaining traction in the agricultural sector with an ever-broadening portfolio, has announced some additions for autumn.Motoring
Warlock offers a touch of magic
Having previously reviewed the RAM 1500 in 2020, we recently took the chance to get behind the wheel of the…
Outback now in its 25th year
Now in its 25th year, and sixth edition, the 2021 Subaru’s Outback wagon was recently launched in New Zealand.Strewth mate... it's a shocker!
Over the ditch in Australia, Toyota utes and trucks are the workhorses of the country’s economy.Blurring the boundaries between work and play
New from the Yamaha camp is R Max2 XT-R.Early pick for car of the year!
As I'm writing this review in early December, I’d like to make a prediction – the new Land Rover Defender…» The RNG Weather Report
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The Hound
Bad company
The Hound is among many in the agriculture sector, including many of our top scientists, who are somewhat cynical claims…
Quitters?
OPINION: This old mutt wonders what it is about tall, balding, ex-Fonterra executives and their (non) ability to handle life…
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Popular Reads
Van Leeuwen Group in receivership
One of New Zealand’s largest dairy farmers- the Van Leeuwen Group- has been placed into receivership.
Farm company CEO fined for failing to register 820 animals
The chief executive of a large Waikato farm business has been fined a total of $3,600 for four charges related…
Organic farmers launch own brand of A3 milk
A small group of North Island organic farmers has launched a new dairy brand, hopeful that one day it will…