High Court approves Westland sale
The sale of Westland Milk to Chinese company Yili is now complete.
» Featured
Innovation key to sustainable farming
Third generation North Canterbury farmer Roscoe Taggart believes that continuous innovation is vital for sustainable arable farming.
Better pasture management key to climate change mitigation
OPINION: It can only get harder to farm during the next 10 to 20 years — but pasture-based mitigation techniques can help.
Beware of research taken out of context
OPINION: A misreported study from Denmark could spoil New Zealand’s reputation, or create health worries which are unfounded.
Hemp sector gears up for growth
The New Zealand hemp industry appears to be coming of age.
Shearing and wool courses
New ‘micro-credentials’ in wool harvesting will help meet a critical need to train shearers and wool handlers, claims Primary ITO chief executive Linda Sissons.
National
PM puts faith in free trade deals
Economically, New Zealand is entering a dramatic era of unprecedented change, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the Federated Farmers conference.
Vet gets top gong
Oamaru vet Dr Merlyn Hay, who in 2017 outed Mycoplasma bovis on an Oamaru dairy farm, won the premier award at the Feds conference.
Spy in the sky promises no stock upset
Farmers are being assured that any spying on grazing practices on farm this winter won’t upset stock.
Rural women and babies at risk
“Women's and babies’ lives are at risk and we want action,” says Penny Mudford, Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) national chair.
World
US farmers don’t want a repeat run
With the US dairy industry now it in its fifth year of low prices and third year of trade wounds, president and CEO…
No luck for Irish contractors
Ireland, often a source of skilled farm machinery operators for rural contractors in New Zealand, is facing even worse driver shortages…
US milk powder giant rejoins GDT
The largest milk powder producer in the US, DairyAmerica is coming back to Global Dairy Trade (GDT), re-launching skim milk powder…
NZ organic milk in new Oz formula
New Zealand milk will be used for a new certified organic grass-fed infant formula offering by Bubs Australia Ltd.
Fines for farm invaders
Animal rights activists entering Queensland farms without permission now face being fined.
Opinion
Better pasture management key to climate change mitigation
OPINION: It can only get harder to farm during the next 10 to 20 years — but pasture-based mitigation techniques can…
Beware of research taken out of context
OPINION: A misreported study from Denmark could spoil New Zealand’s reputation, or create health worries which are unfounded.
NZ’s economic engine needs a rebuild
OPINION: The current NZ farming system is no longer profitable and does not meet modern standards. It’s time for an…
Pasture key tool in fighting emissions
It can only get harder to farm during the next 10 to 20 years.
Don’t forget Māori — Editorial
OPINION: Damien O'Connor is never one to shy away from speaking his mind and ruffling a few feathers, and in…
Agribusiness
Waikato Milking’s sales pitch in China
Waikato Milking Systems will this month exhibit at China’s biggest rural trade show.
Orchard prices strengthen
Demand will rise for existing kiwifruit orchards as a result of Zespri granting its annual quota of new licences for…
Farmers face uncertainty, seeking answers – Govt
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says there is unlikely to be much growth in production in the dairy sector in the…
Tags help keep track of NZ velvet
A new system is being developed for tracing tagged velvet as it moves through the supply chain.
Management
Innovation key to sustainable farming
Third generation North Canterbury farmer Roscoe Taggart believes that continuous innovation is vital for sustainable arable farming.
PKE-free calf feed contains milk protein
A new calf cereal with no palm kernel expeller (PKE) is on sale for the calving season, says developer Agrifeeds.
Livestock scanner worth every cent
Waikato grazier James Reeves is an advocate for electronically tagged animals and keeping NAIT account up to date, says OSPRI.
Forage herb to reduce leaching
The New Zealand seed company Agricom last week won a major national prize for its Ecotain environmental plantain.
Kiwi farmers tuned in to their local environment – scholar
Kiwi farmers are more engaged practically in their local environmental issues, compared to some farmers visited recently by a Nuffield farming scholar.
Farm Health
Good ways to get ready for calving
Three ways you can prepare for the onrush of the calving season will shore up your abilities, says DairyNZ.
Plan, prepare well for calving
Achieving the best calving season requires good planning and preparation, says DairyNZ. Here's how to do just that.
Keeping calves clean and free of scours
MSD Animal Health’s regional technical advisor/vet, Kim Kelly explains how to reduce the risk of your calves getting scours.
Udders ‘not holding up’ are trouble in NZ herds – expert
Poor udder quality in many New Zealand cows contributes to them being culled in their first and second lactations, imposing an unsustainable cost, says a visiting expert.
Study reveals big ewe wastage
Massey veterinarian Kate Griffiths recently outlined the results of a six year trial looking at the ability of a ewe to survive as a productive animal until she is culled for age.
Machinery & Products
John Deere updates air seeder
John Deere has introduced a redesigned version of the N500C series air drill.
Gunning for Fendt
Baseball caps, overalls and jackets are a familiar aspect of aftermarket promotion. But Fendt has taken an interesting step further.
New 900 Series tractors coming
German manufacturer Fendt has released details of its new sixth generation 900 series tractors, which will be a big focus at Agritechnica later in the year.
20 years of four-rotor swathers
Forage harvester maker Claas is celebrating 20 years of its Liner four-rotor swather.
Motoring
Feisty Vitara right on the mark
Just why is the Suzuki Vitara so popular in New Zealand? Mark Daniel found out as he test drove the…
Colorado concept huge at Fieldays and beyond
With saloon cars fading on buyers’ radar, Holden is confirming its focus on the ute and SUV market.
You can’t get better bang out of your buck
Always very capable, the Mitsubishi Triton has had a loyal following in New Zealand, even with its slightly off target…
Big show for Toyota at Fieldays
Toyota's massive site in the automotive precinct at Fieldays will showcase its extensive range of SUVs.
Concept ROX for Fieldays
Holden New Zealand has revealed its own home-grown concept to go on display at Fieldays – the Colorado ROX.
» The RNG Weather Report
» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Yuck
This old mutt notes that millionaire Hollywood producer and advocate for mung bean farming James Cameron is happy to fly…
Showing the way
A mate of the Hound reckons some major agricultural companies wanting to promote their ideas and services could learn from…
» Connect with Rural News
» eNewsletter
Popular Reads
Activists’ aerial attack
Farmers are bracing for a major animal rights campaign against their winter grazing practices.
$64m gain from sale for Fonterra
Fonterra has pulled the plug on another investment overseas as the co-op continues to rebuild its balance sheet.
Positive feedback to Fonterra’s fixed milk price scheme
Fonterra says there has been really positive feedback to the inaugural June round of a new Fixed Milk Price scheme…
Rural Life
New machinery for the vineyard
Mark Daniel on what's new in machinery for the vineyard.
New Holland launches Braud 9000 series grape harvesters
New Holland Agriculture has introduced the new Braud 9000 series to its portfolio of self-propelled grape harvesters, with the 9090L…
Collaboration increases capability
Initially designed to assist fertiliser spreading trucks operating on steep New Zealand hill country, TracMap’s GPS guidance and job management…