Technical Working Group calls for urgent climate change action
Climate Change Minister James Shaw has released the Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group’s (CCATWG) recommendations.
Recent
Air New Zealand failing regions — Rural Women
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is disappointed by yet another increase in airfares for the regions.
Zespri boosts grower returns despite drop in sales
Kiwifruit exporter Zespri says it has delivered an increase in value to growers, despite sales dropping 11%.
Young farmers fight to raise money for charity
A charity boxing event in Cambridge has raised $10,000 for Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR).
Twice the talent; bumper crop of winners
For the first time in the competition’s history, there are two winners of the Young Vegetable Grower of the Year…
National
Deer fenced out of waterways
To keep waterways clean, deer farmers are fencing their deer out of streams.
STRESS removes headache for hill country farmers
Taranaki farmer Roger Pearce is confident he’s hit a good formula allowing him to make a successful living in the…
Migrant work visas popular in south
Most migrant applicants for a special South Island Contribution Work Visa are in farming, as shown by figures from Immigration…
Sustainability key focus for Primary Sector Council
Given the worldwide public focus on sustainability, now is the time for New Zealand’s primary industries to dialogue about the…
Horticulture industry scores another record breaking year
New Zealand horticulture had another record breaking year in 2017; exports reaching $5.12 billion, up $14 million from the year…
World
Fodder crisis hits Irish dairy farmers
A fodder crisis is forcing Irish dairy farmers to buy feed from other farmers around the country.
Europeans in a pickle over glyphosphate
A move in the EU over licensing the use of glyphosate is bothering the farming industry.
Get Brexit right – UK dairy farmers
Brexit presents “the biggest seismic change” to the dairy industry in the UK, says Tomas Pietrangeli, UK managing director of Arla Foods.
EU hardline blamed for Brexit
An Irish politician is blaming the inflexibility and hardline tactics of the European Union (EU) on the UK voting to leave the bloc.
Are EU and UK doing the dirty of NZ?
The New Zealand meat industry could be hit by fallout from the tense and divisive Brexit negotiations.
Opinion
Positive signs on water quality garner negativity
National river quality trends give cause for optimism, according to Land and Water Aotearoa (LAWA).
Be honest — Editorial
At times it is hard not to believe the meme that ‘Minister of Everything’ David Parker really does hate farmers…
Feds never was anti-NAIT
Some assertions made in the Rural News editorial, ‘Get with the programme’ on April 3, 2018 were unfair, wildly untrue…
Irrigation not an environmental irritation
OPINION: Irrigation can reduce soil erosion.
Tougher penalties needed for stock theft
OPINION: Parliament's show of support for tougher deterrents against livestock theft is welcome news.
Agribusiness
NZ formula makers sweet with NZ
The Ministry for Primary Industries and the New Zealand Government over time have done an excellent job of building the…
Aussie live exports under microscope
Australians’ outrage at scenes of dead and dying sheep on ships to the Middle East is forcing exporters to shape…
Alliance gives international chefs a taste of NZ
Alliance Group recently hosted overseas chefs and writers in an effort to differentiate its products and position itself as a…
What US/China trade tension means for NZ ag
New Zealand agriculture may soon feel the waves from intensifying trade conflict between the US and China.
Alternative proteins a potential bottom line booster
Guy Wrigley, Federated Farmers arable industry chairman, said the prospect of plant-based protein foods should not be cause for alarm.
Management
No s**t Sherlock
If every farm in New Zealand used the new ClearTech system for harvesting clean water from dairy effluent, NZ would save 42 billion litres of freshwater each year.
Young Māori to the fore
Three young Māori farmers will compete in late May for the title of Young Māori Farmer of the year.
The risks and opportunities of hill country surveyed
Farmers in Canterbury and Manawatu have shared stories on their hill country development experiences to give regulators and other farmers a better understanding of managing risks and opportunities on this type of land.
Age not wearing this farmer
Moyra Bramley was born in 1933, the year Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe inaugurated the Ahuwhenua Trophy to recognise excellence in Maori farming — now Ms Bramley has at least a 50/50 chance of winning that trophy.
Family farm wins Auckland award
The Dill family of Kaipara Flats, north of Auckland, has won the 2018 Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Farm Health
Poor management aiding drench resistance
Livestock monocultures and inappropriate drenching practices are helping raise internal parasite resistance to triple combination drenches, says AgResearch.
Calm ewes equals more lambs
A calm temperament in ewes improves ovulation rate and successful pregnancies, according to a study published by The University of…
Good autumn may lead to increased worm burden
Good Autumn growth sets the scene for maximum growth rates in beef cattle post-weaning, but beware worms in pasture, warns…
Managing fodder beet health problems
Farm veterinarians are struggling with the emerging animal health effects of long-term fodder beet use on dairy farms, says DairyNZ…
Solving the genetic jigsaw
Researchers at Livestock Improvement Corp (LIC) are working with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to piece together a genetic…
Machinery & Products
Don’t rely on ‘she’ll be right’
Race and rally drivers’, do it, airplane passengers do it, even the Fonterra tanker drivers do it — so why…
Lexus teams up with Farmlands
Lexus and Farmlands, the country’s largest rural supplies co-operative, have a new partnership.
NH pimps its BigBaler series
On the heels of the BigBaler 1270 and 1290 Plus release in 2016, New Holland Agriculture has launched a full…
Valtra goes Barbie pink
Valtra's Unlimited Design Studio is known for taking tractor customisation to the next level, with upgrades to paint, leather interior,…
Far North farmer favours Fendts
Northland farmer Ivan Stanisich has a herd of 215 milking cows, a 40ha avocado orchard and in his spare time…
Motoring
Holden Calais-V not too shabby
The question often asked about the new Commodore is, “will Aussies accept a German car as a replacement for Commodores…
No more talking turkey for Toyota
Toyota is changing the way it sells new vehicles, notably by moving away from commission-paid sales staff and haggling over…
Navara a better load bearer
Nissan has enhanced the Navara’s performance under heavy loads by redeveloping the rear suspension and testing it in Australia, the…
Hilux toughens up its act
While the Toyota Hilux is the ‘go to’ for anyone looking for a no-nonsense ute, it’s probably been losing some…
Small SUV with huge potential
Following the meteoric rise in the SUV market over the last decade, Korean manufacturer Hyundai has launched a small SUV.
» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Silence is golden
The Hound notes that former ag minister Nathan Guy is settling into the role of opposition MP and having a…
Easy answer
It takes a bit to make your canine crusader raise his eyebrows at the hypocrisy of these do-gooder outfits with…
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Popular Reads
Don’t rely on ‘she’ll be right’
Race and rally drivers’, do it, airplane passengers do it, even the Fonterra tanker drivers do it — so why…
$7/kgMS opening forecast!
Fonterra has announced an opening forecast Farmgate Milk Price of $7/kgMS for the 2018/19 season starting June 1.
Unacceptable attitude at Fonterra
Former Fonterra director Leonie Guiney is not ruling out another tilt at a co-op directorship.
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’.