Rural contractors talk about the F word
Rural Contractors NZ have launched a campaign today against the risks of fatigue in their industry.
» Featured
Coming to a beach near you!
The popular Surfing for Farmers programme, which gives farmers a well-earned break from life on the farm, starts its eighth season from November 5.
MilkHub sold
Milk vat manufacturer DTS is selling its dairy automation business to MilktechNZ.
'Quite a journey'
Former Synlait chief executive Grant Watson says the past two years have been quite the journey.
DairyNZ levy to increase?
Retiring chair Jim van der Poel has used his final AGM to announce the intention to increase the DairyNZ farmer levy for the first time in the industry-good body's 17-year history.
Spierings' chequered stint at Fonterra
Not too many dairy industry leaders were keen to publicly comment on the sudden passing of former Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings.
National
Top student jets in to collect Massey's science award
She came all the way from a sheep station in Tasmania especially to be presented with the top prize in this year's Massey University agriculture, horticulture and environmental science award.
Global retailers taste NZ mānuka honey offerings
Thousands of honey retailers and professionals worldwide are getting a taste of the remarkable properties of New Zealand mānuka honey.
New focus on ag training
Massey University is tweaking the format of its agricultural courses.
How climate change is affecting kiwifruit crop
Climate change and its effects was the number one item on the agenda of the annual International Kiwifruit conference held this year in Greece.
World
Bluetongue on the march
While unrecorded in New Zealand, Bluetongue, an acute viral disease in ruminants, is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
Arla targets $25b in total revenue
European dairy co-operative Arla Foods is forecasting a total revenue of nearly $25 billion this year.Japan hungry for high value Fonterra dairy ingredients
Fonterra was part of a recent New Zealand business delegation to Japan, a market that is one of the co-operative's…Time to bridge the digital gap between rural and urban - FAO
The director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says the UN has a role to…Election most important for British farming - NFU
As Britain heads to the polls on 4 July, the UK’s National Farmer’s Union (NFU) has come out in full…Opinion
Ancient fibre could rebuild the regions
OPINION: Local Government is badly underfunded. Economic circumstances demand a new approach to funding the constant burden of infrastructure delivery…
Don’t be a slave to your debt
OPINION: Clicking through some news of late, I have noted the odd headline referring to credit card debt.Editorial: Teaching F&G a lesson
OPINION: Irate Southland farmers are on the money denying anglers access across their land.Be safe, avoid fatigue
Concern about fatigue impacts during a busy season prompted Rural Contractors New Zealand to launch a campaign about the risks.…Keeping all energy sources intact
OPINION: We all need energy to live the lives that we aspire to.Agribusiness
Ospri donation for Rural Support Trust
Disease management agency OSPRI is throwing its support behind the Rural Support Trust.
McIntyre elected to DairyNZ board
A second Federated Farmers executive has been elected to the DairyNZ board.Three candidates for Alliance board elections
Three nominations have been received for two vacant director positions on meat processor, Alliance Group's board.Rocky Road milk is here
Speciality milk producer Lewis Road Creamery is celebrating its 10th anniversary of iconic chocolate milk with a new flavour.Capture your love for farming in a photo and win!
BASF New Zealand is launching its inaugural Biggest AgriPhoto Competition, inviting Kiwi farmers and rural communities from across the country…Management
Drones, AI making cattle counting a dream
PGG Wrightson has launched a new stock-counting service using drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which it says removes all the hassle for farmers, while achieving 99.9% accuracy.
Rare species discovered at stream restoration site
Rare Canterbury mudfish and tadpole shrimp have been discovered at an environmental restoration site at Bennetts Stream in North Canterbury which is part of a biodiversity initiative being carried out by Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Working together, leading change
A group of Canterbury farmers who work together exploring the various uses of liquid injection systems on their seed drills was the worthy winner of the Working Together Award at the recent 2024 Arable Awards, says the group’s FAR Facilitator.
Powering farmers to tackle worm challenges on farm
The worm challenge for sheep and beef farmers is increasing as the warm, moist weather of spring and early summer arrives.
Will silver turn to gold for state farmer?
Tucked away in a remote part of the central North Island, staff at a Pāmu (Landcorp) farm are working hard to solve one of the biggest challenges facing the dairy and beef sectors.
Farm Health
Protecting native birds from avian influenza
With the global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) making headlines around the world, the Department of Conservation (DoC) is taking steps to secure the safety of several endangered bird species that call New Zealand home.
Imported wasps fly business class to tackle NZ pests
In the late 1980s, planes flying from South America to New Zealand carried some unusual and precious travellers, tucked away in the business- class drinks cabinet, of all places.
Cultivating successful cow families
Michael and Cherie Berkers’ Holstein Friesian herd exemplifies how breeders can consistently develop successful cow families by seizing opportunities for improvement year after year.
Boost for NZ, Nordic Jerseys genetic link
A new collaboration is underway to improve the genetic links between the New Zealand and Nordic Jersey cattle populations.
Improving lamb survival rates
Improving lamb survival rates is a key focus for New Zealand farmers, especially this time of year.
Machinery & Products
Fresh looking Farmall C models
Ready to be unveiled at Italy’s EIMA Show in November, the 2025 Case IH Farmall C models will deliver not only a fresh look, but also enhanced performance and precision farming solutions.
Landpower increases its offering
Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market in October, in a move to offer greater choice for farmers and contractors looking for the right fit for their operation.
A formidable duo for tillage
The new Lemken Solitair MR series mounted drills, available in three or four metre working widths, features a 1500-litre tank, which is suitable for fertiliser even in its basic configuration.
When compaction is a good thing
Good silage starts by cutting the crop at the correct growth stage, followed by reducing moisture content, chopping to a consistent length, then stacking in a clamp.
Kverneland upgrades baler, sets wrapping record
The Kverneland Group has announced several upgrades to its round baler ranges for 2025, much of it centred around automation, as well as the ability to wrap bales with film rather than net.
Motoring
Jimny goes 5-door
Fifty years ago, Suzuki was a pioneer in developing a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fourwheel drive capability and…
Big tick for a big truck
Electric cars and big American trucks can both bring a little anxiety, but for different reasons.RAM hits 20K!
In a market dominated by utes, Ram Trucks Australia has just put the finishing touches on its 20,000th right-hand drive…Fastest, most powerful Ram
RAM distributor Ateco has always made the point that they sell trucks that eat Utes for breakfast.Kiwi fave goes green
A firm favourite of rural families and those seeking to get off the beaten track, Subaru has announced the introduction…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
'Mea culpa'
OPINION: The Reserve Bank’s rate cut is great news, albeit a bit late, but your old mate agrees with Act…
Fast tracked
OPINION: While the Government’s Fast Track bill is copping it from all the usual suspects – opposition parties, greenies, unions…
Milking It
Musical chairs
OPINION: DairyNZ's director elections has seen scientist Jacqueline Rowarth re-elected for another three-year term.
$500k for chair
OPINION: Fonterra's chair will be paid nearly $500,000 if shareholders approve a proposal by the directors' remuneration committee.
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Popular Reads
Former Fonterra CEO dies
Former Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings passed away in the Netherlands over the weekend.
'Time to hand over the baton'
Waikato farmer Jim van der Poel’s foray into dairy industry governance began 25 years ago with a bang.
Declining sheep numbers the last straw for plant closure
Meat company Alliance says declining stock numbers in New Zealand were the primary driver behind the closure of its Smithfield…
