Recent
New role to help labour shortages
NZ Kiwifruit Growers (NZKGI) is creating a new role of labour coordinator as it envisages another seasonal labour shortage this…
Apple crop risks going unpicked
A permanent solution to the harvest labour shortage problem is needed for the apple industry, claims a sector spokesman.
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…
National
Summer flush prompts lamb delay
The unusually wet summer so far means a flush of feed NZ-wide, says Alliance Group chairman Murray Taggart.
Harvest looking like hard work
Cropping farmers have had to put up with an unusually wet start to summer.
Another rebel wins election
Canterbury farmer John Nicholls last month became the second farmer-nominated candidate to win a seat on Fonterra’s board.
Could Wagyu beef counter heart disease?
As barbeque season gets into full swing, New Zealand researchers are investigating whether certain kinds of red meat could actually…
China's growth slows, commodity prices under pressure
New Zealand commodity prices are likely to feel downward pressure over the year, says ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny.
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
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…
How do we the tackle the meat worker shortage?
The meat industry is short of about 2000 workers, a gap needing filling by much more than just signing up…
Agribusiness
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.
Velvet prospects looking sound
Prospects for the velvet market during the 2018-19 season are expected to be reasonably stable, says Deer Industry NZ (DINZ).
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
Fire sales?
Your canine crusader hears that Fonterra’s current financial woes could see the dairy co-op dumping many of its key assets.
Boring
This old mutt has been a long-time critic of the multi-national, tax-dodging, political activist group Greenpeace for its sustained and…
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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’.