OPINION: The role primary industries play in New Zealand’s economy has changed dramatically in the past 10 years.

As grapes ripen at Domaine Thomson this season, a laser will flash green bird-scaring beams in a pattern across the vines.

Having acquired the distribution rights for the German Horsch brand earlier in the year, Carrfields took the opportunity to showcase the products at a Feilding farmers day late last year.

Most vineyards require irrigation at some point. Deciding when and how much is required is a powerful management tool that directly affects fruit production, disease pressure, and even operational passes.

Anyone with a little grey hair, or in my case, very little hair, will remember the early 1970s, when they likely saw their first self-propelled forage harvester.

The Victorian state government in Australia and its dairy sector have jointly launched a new innovative research programme to improve soil health.

In agriculture, the emphasis for the last 150 years has been on using technology to know more about orchards, fields, and crops, which has been great, according to Watermetrics.

The future of farming is digital.

Reduced input costs and nitrogen fertiliser use, along with improved environmental outcomes, are key benefits of a precision agriculture project designed to help farmers meet tough nitrate caps while maintaining their viability.

Breeding grapevines for tolerance to disease is accelerating at a pace not seen in many decades.