McRae Wins Southern South Island B+LNZ Director Vote
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
» Featured
Ravensdown’s HawkEye Pro Wins Technology Award at Southern Field Days
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
Southland Siblings Win Innovation Award with Good Dog Work Watch
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Low-Input Dairy System Earns Hoopers Taranaki Supreme Award
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Agricultural Aviation Demonstration Shows Precision of Modern Topdressing Technology
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
Government Invests $10.49m in Dairy Beef Opportunities Programme
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.
National
Labour Caucus Portfolios Reshuffled Ahead of 2026 Election
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
Rural Resilience Workshops to Help Farmers Prepare for Adverse Events
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.
Jon and Fiona Sherlock Win Supreme Award at Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards
Jon and Fiona Sherlock have been named the Waikato Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Massey University Reports Record Growth in Agriculture and Horticulture Students
The head of Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment, Professor Paul Kenyon, says the outlook for the primary sector is positive with record numbers of students enrolling for Massey's range of undergraduate courses in the primary sector.
World
Arla Foods delivers $15b revenue as Co-op turns 25
European dairy giant Arla Foods celebrated its 25th anniversary as a cross-border, farmer-owned co-operative with a solid half-year result.
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…Opinion
Sorting Fact From Fiction Is An Art
OPINION: Information is everywhere. So are misinformation and disinformation.
From farm to the cricket pitch
Hawke's Bay deer farmer Harry Gaddum organised the inaugural Gumboot Cup. It was a cricket tournament for 12 rural Hawke's…Is the Coalition Government Really Backing Farmers?
OPINION: Many sheep and beef farmers will be worse off under the new environment legislation than they were under the…Editorial: KiwiSaver Changes Bring Joy
OPINION: Getting a foot on the property ladder is becoming easier for young farmers.Market Takes The Scenic Route
ANZ agri economist Matt Dilly looks at the impressive run of global dairy prices this year.Agribusiness
Agricultural Aviation Demonstration Shows Precision of Modern Topdressing Technology
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the…
Finalists Revealed for 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards
The finalists have been announced for the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards, with 24 finalists across eight categories.Pāmu Appoints Dave Nuku as Associate Director
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced Dave Nuku is its new Associate Director, joining the board as an observer from 1…Farmlands Co-operative Appoints Rachel Aldikacti as Chief Sales Officer
Farmlands Co-operative has announced Rachel Aldikacti will be its new chief sales officer.NZ Rural Land Company Lifts Annual Profit in 2025
New Zealand Rural Land Company (NZL) has lifted its annual profit on the back of being a "disciplined, yield-focused land…Management
Farmers Urged to Graze Pastures Hard Before Sowing Subterranean Clover
Farmers wanting to establish subterranean clovers in their pastures this autumn are encouraged by Beef + Lamb NZ to graze pastures down to 700-1000 kg DM/ha prior to sowing.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand to Connect with Farmers at Central Districts Field Days 2026
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is looking forward to connecting with farmers, rural professionals and community members at this year's Central District Field Days.
Milk your cool season for all it’s worth
Pasture specialist Graham Kerr claims that one hybrid ryegrass in New Zealand continues to dominate industry yield trials, as it has done every year since it was launched in 2021.
Protecting Rumen Health on NZ Dairy Farms This March
March often brings a useful mix of opportunity and risk on New Zealand dairy farms.
Waikato Dairy Farmer Targets Peak Pasture Performance with Proven Proprietary Cultivars
Modern proprietary cultivars backed by independent data are the strong preferenced for Waikato dairy farmer Mike McGehan when he needs reliable and targeted pasture performance.
Farm Health
Body Condition Scoring Ewes Before Mating Can Boost Lambing Rates
Body condition scoring ewes at least six weeks out from mating can make a significant difference to conception rates and scanning percentages.
Check Worm Burdens in Your Ewe Flock Prior to Mating
Wormwise vet Mary Bowron gives timely advice about worm management prior to mating, particularly being on the look-out for the blood-sucking Barber's Pole worm.
DairyNZ Tests Heat Stress Solutions for Dairy Herds
New DairyNZ research will help farmers mitigate the impacts of heat stress on herds in high-risk regions of the country.
Rain Boosts Pasture Growth but Triggers Flystrike and Facial Eczema Risks
Recent rainfall has made for a fantastic growing season in many regions, but farmers are also reporting a proliferation in pests and diseases such as facial eczema, flystrike, porina and internal parasites.
Bovonic Study Shows $29,547 Seasonal Benefit for NZ Dairy Farmers
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.
Machinery & Products
Ravensdown’s HawkEye Pro Wins Technology Award at Southern Field Days
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
Southland Siblings Win Innovation Award with Good Dog Work Watch
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
AGCO Reports 2025 Sales Decline but Expects Recovery in 2026
The parent company of Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra – AGCO – reports lower net sales of around US10.1 billion in 2025, but forecasts a lift in 2026.
Mark Dillon Returns Home with Ploughing Tractor after European Competitions
Southland rural contractor and current NZ Ploughing champion Mark Dillon has got his tractor back after it enjoyed some extensive OE.
Amazone Catros Cultivator Marks 25 Years of Tillage Innovation
With an extensive cultivation portfolio, Amazone entered a new era in tillage 25 years ago when it launched the newly developed Catros in 2001, an innovative design with a high performance, compact, shallow stubble cultivator, initially sold as a three-point linkage mounted implement.
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
Silly Season
OPINION: Election years are usually regarded as the silly season, but a mate of the Hound reckons 2026 is shaping…
Two-Faced System
OPINION: If farmers poured just a few litres of some pollutant into a stream, the Green Party and the wider…
Milking It
FTA and Uber Drivers
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
Ice Cream Deal
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.
» Connect with Rural News
» eNewsletter
Popular Reads
Hawke’s Bay Apple Grower Taylor Corporation Reports Standout 2026 Season Boosting Industry Optimism
Hawke's Bay apple grower Taylor Corporation says a standout 2026 season, coming after a few difficult years, is boosting optimism…
Share Farmers, Managers Honoured in Wairarapa
The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne…
Another Windfall for Fonterra Farmers, Unit Holders
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
