Stable but uncertain year ahead for New Zealand primary exports – MPI
A stable but uncertain year lies ahead for New Zealand primary products, says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith.
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China’s new beef tariffs expected to favour New Zealand exporters
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Primary sector leaders praise speed and ambition of India–NZ free trade deal
Primary sector leaders have praised the government and its officials for putting the Indian free trade deal together in just nine months.
Meat, wool and hort big winners in Indian FTA
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand.
Dairy farmers well positioned despite global milk price volatility
Dairy farmers are still in a good place despite volatile global milk prices.
Global dairy prices snap a five-month negative run
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
National
Restrictions on fruits, vegetables movement in Mt Roskill
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Free herbicide resistance testing
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit fly discovery puts growers, exporters on edge
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Alliance Group chief executive steps down
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
World
Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accord
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows…
NZ–Canada dairy trade dispute resolved
The long running trade dispute between NZ and Canada appears to be over.Europe’s largest dairy co-operative to launch in 2026 as Arla Foods and DMK merge
The creation of Europe's largest dairy co-operative should be complete by early 2026.Young Aussie farmers gain global insights on study tour to Ireland
Twenty four young farmers from South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania have returned from a recent study tour of Ireland…Lactalis in front to acquire Fonterra’s Australian dairy assets after ACCC clearance
The world's largest dairy company may be in pole position to acquire Fonterra's Australian assets.Opinion
Share, spread goodwill this festive season
OPINION: As you sit down to read my column today, I trust all is well at your place.
Let's celebrate the FTA
OPINION: Christmas is supposedly a time for good will, joy and celebration and this year everyone should be dancing with…Editorial: So long, RMA
OPINION: Metaphorically, the funeral arrangements are being put in place to bury one of the largest and most complex pieces of…We must keep our foot on the pedal
OPINION: Last week marked a major step forward in our work to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis.The dirt on soil: Why healthy soil matters
OPINION: Every year, December 5 marks World Soil Day. This date wasn’t chosen at random, it’s the birthday of the…Agribusiness
Applications Open for 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23…
Ravensdown partners with Footrot Flats to celebrate Kiwi farming heritage
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to…Glut in global milk supply keeping prices down
The final Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction has delivered bad news for dairy farmers.Three new grower directors appointed to FAR board
Effective from 1 January 2026, there will be three new grower directors on the board of the Foundation for Arable…Solid start to Fonterra's financial year
Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million-…Management
Genetics, Efficiency and Performance: How the Burgesses are raising the bar at Te Poi
Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.
Rangitīkei farmers take lead in water quality monitoring
Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC) chairperson Roger Dalrymple says farmers in his region are taking a national lead in water quality awareness and monitoring.
Preparing for new freshwater plans
OPINION: With Freshwater Farm Plan (FWFP) regulations imminent, growers need practical, funded support now – not just more paperwork.
Hitting heifer liveweight targets
Early December marks a key transition for many dairy farmers, as weaned replacement heifers head off-farm to grazing.
Waireka Research Station leads biodiversity restoration in New Plymouth
For more than 50 years, Waireka Research Station at New Plymouth has been a hub for globally important trials of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides, carried out on 16ha of orderly flat plots hedged for protection against the strong winds that sweep in from New Zealand’s west coast.
Farm Health
Beef Progeny Test 2025: Genetic insights for NZ beef industry
At Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.
Early summer stress risks dairy cow pregnancy success
By the time you are reading this, most spring-calving herds will have finished the main mating period.
Dry conditions highlight importance of Body Condition Scoring ewes at weaning
The dry conditions being experienced along much of the east coast of both Islands build a strong case for body condition scoring ewes at this season’s weaning.
Massey University Wiltshire trial draws growing farmer interest
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Ashburton dairy farmers reinvent their system with return to spring calving
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
Machinery & Products
AgriSpread AS3000 Bulk Spreader: Precision spreading up to 52m
Manufactured in Ireland, tested and launched at Agritechnica in Germany, AgriSpread’s new AS3000 bulk spreader takes much of the technology and features of the well-established AS2000 Series but adds a conveyor system to increase spreading widths up to 30m with lime/gypsum, up to 48m with urea and a whopping 52m with mineral and synthetic fertilisers.
Agritechnica 2025: Claas, Fendt and Valtra claim 2026 Tractor of the Year Awards
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
Case IH Unveils New RB6 Round Balers & 2026 Square Baler Upgrades
Case IH has released details of its all-new round balers and redesigns to its large square balers aimed at increasing productivity.
How to Improve Milking Efficiency in Swing-Over Herringbone Sheds
The swing-over herringbone is the most common dairy type in New Zealand, used on 69% of dairy farms. Simple changes save seconds per cow, and that quickly adds up.
New Case IH Puma series debuts with improved design & precision tech
Case IH used Agritechnica to reveal its new Puma series tractor, featuring what it claims is an entirely new vehicle design, which allows operators to enjoy a smoother ride with superior manoeuvrability, alongside the latest precision technology.
Motoring
Kia Tasman ute launches in NZ
Stepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just…
Ford's new addition
Ford New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…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…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
PM finds the fence
OPINION: When he promised an Indian FTA in his first term, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was really putting it all…
Stinging response
OPINION: MPI's response to the yellow-legged hornet has received a mixed report card from New Zealand Beekeeping Inc (NZBI), with…
Milking It
Trump's tariffs
President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according…
Tanker on the roll
Seen a giant cheese roll rolling along Southland’s roads?
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Popular Reads
Early drought fears ease in Hawke’s Bay, but caution remains
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.
Fonterra shareholders watch performance after sale
Fonterra shareholders say they will be keeping an eye on their co-operative's performance after the sale of its consumer businesses.
Farmers more satisfied with banks, but confidence remains below 2017 levels
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however,…
