Cloud of uncertainty over weather services merger
Merging MetService and NIWA is the right thing to do, but independent weather forecaster Phil Duncan of WeatherWatch says he isn’t sure a merged entity will boost rural weather forecasting.
» Featured
'Pasifika milk' makes its debut
While walking through supermarket aisles, young South Auckland entrepreneur Saion Angi decided that there weren’t enough Pacific or Māori products on the shelves.
Can't be green, if you're in the red
Don’t expect farmers to spend money on riparian planting and fencing if their businesses are running in deficit, says Waikato Federated Farmers president Keith Holmes.
Minister's hands-on role
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson, who farms at Lawrence in Otago, has personally been actively involved in assessing the situation in his region.
Study grants for students keen on red meat processing, exporting
Fancy a career in the red meat processing and exporting sector? Then here’s your chance to apply for a scholarship.
Help for flood-stricken farmers
Multiple agencies are working to help farmers in Otago hit by the recent floods and Southland farmers who have faced many months of adverse weather.
National
A leader among CEOs
Richard Burke, a leading CEO in the primary sector, has departed from a company he's played a huge part in developing into one of the best in the country.
Lower sales, competition ends honey exporter’s sweet run
After three years of record performance, mānuka honey exporter and retailer Comvita has reported an annual net loss of $77 million.
Palmerston North to host new recruitment programme
A new programme designed to attract young talent into New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, accelerate career paths and sector change is rolling out for young women in tertiary study or training.
Ideal weather for growers
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris are reporting near ideal spring start conditions for fruit growers this season.
World
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…Benefits of EU trade deal
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant…Opinion
Be an investor, not a landlord
OPINION: New Zealanders have a love affair with property investment. After securing a family home, buying a rental property is…
Feed efficiency or curbing methane?
OPINION: Evolution is important. So is feeding people properly.Editorial: Smithfield closure just the start?
OPINION: Rural New Zealand has been taking some very big hits of late. The latest of these, the closure of…Carry on with clever feed planning
In many parts of the country, dairy farmers have enjoyed favourable growing conditions throughout winter and spring, leading to reduced…Editorial: A game changer!
OPINION: Fonterra deserves a pat on the back for delivering another solid set of financial results.Agribusiness
Helping small herd owners smash challenging issues
Anna Kalma is Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH’s) national coordinator and has seen it all in her time on…
Rabobank cuts loan rate
Rabobank New Zealand will reduce the variable base rate on its rural loans by 0.5%, effective from 16 October 2024.New seed ordering feature for farmers
Farmers and growers can now easily manage their seed requirements thanks to a pioneering FarmlandsPRO feature launched by Farmlands.B+LNZ gets new CEO
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has appointed Alan Thomson as its new chief executive officer.Proposed highway toll - new cost burden for farmers
Farmers in the Tararua District are meeting to decide whether to throw their weight behind a move to oppose the…Management
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.
SMASH launches survey on farm ownership
Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) needs your help.
Lifelong commitment to support all things arable
As the judges' citation put it, anyone who has been involved in the arable industry for the past 40 years has surely met the man named to the industry's Hall of Fame at the recent Arable Awards, Greendale grower Syd Worsfold.
Farm Health
Improving lamb survival rates
Improving lamb survival rates is a key focus for New Zealand farmers, especially this time of year.
The gold standard for beef calves
Major steps are underway to improve the quality of dairy beef calves.
Using sexed semen on elite cows
As demand for sexed semen soars, CRV is encouraging dairy farmers to take full advantage of it by using it on the top quartile of their herds.
Udder health survey aims to create value
FIL has launched a new online survey to gain valuable insights into the challenges dairy farmers face in meeting their milk quality and mastitis prevention goals.
How to achieve successful lambing
Lambing is now well advanced around much of New Zealand, including in areas where drought-like conditions are presenting real challenges for farmers, on top of a poor run of prices for their product.
Machinery & Products
New F5 balers from McHale
Irish grassland machinery manufacturer McHale has unveiled the new four-model range of F5 fixed chamber balers.
Fencing industry’s cream of the crop
The recent Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) Industry Awards recognises and acknowledges those who exemplify the mission of raising the profile of fencing as a professional trade, delivering high quality work, and adhering to best practice standards.
Got $1.5m for a bit of spraying?
While we are seeing more and more drones being used in New Zealand agriculture, we’re some way behind the US, where in places like the Midwest, the drones are certainly bigger than Texas.
Manure decanter helps farm enhance sustainability
In a groundbreaking move for dairy farming in New Zealand, Craig Copland has become the first farmer in the country to use GEA’s Manure Decanter system, traditionally used in wastewater and wineries, to enhance environmental sustainability on his Canterbury farm.
Quick, accurate access to data
Agri-tech company Precision Farming is linking with John Deere’s Operations Centre guidance technology to automate nutrient and spray record-keeping and Nitrogen Cap compliance for farmers.
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
Trump tariffs
OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.
Air Miles
OPINION: The latest travel receipts for MPs are in (April – June 2024).
Milking It
Tatua's just too-good
OPINION: Earlier this month, small Waikato milk processor Tatua reminded the country that it’s still number one when it comes…
China's dairy pain
OPINION: It was only in 2018 that the Chinese Government embarked on a mission to lift domestic milk production and…
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Popular Reads
Fonterra unveils third major investment
Fonterra is investing $150 million on a new cool store at its Whareroa site in Taranaki.
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…
Sheep farmers must learn from downturn, embrace changes
The sheepmeat sector would be wise to reflect and learn from the present downturn and embrace change needed to deliver…
