Green light for irrigation scheme
North Canterbury's Amuri Irrigation Company (AIC) is pressing ahead with plans for a new irrigation scheme for the Hawarden/Waikari area, following a positive response from potential users.
» Featured
Lower producing methane sheep garners worldwide attention
News of a world-first tool that gives New Zealand sheep farmers the ability to breed animals that emit less methane has been positively received locally and internationally.
Is Red the new Gold?
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri says some key markets will soon be able to enjoy red kiwifruit.
Dairy prices tumble
Global dairy prices have recorded one of their biggest drops on the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) platform.
Rabobank lifts milk price forecast by 45c
Rabobank has lifted its forecast milk price for this season by 45c to $7.60/kgMS.
The good, the bad, and the ugly – 2019 in review
As we approach another year’s end we again highlight our annual review of 2019 in the primary sector as seen by Rural News’ editorial team.
National
Farm expo returns
The East Coast Farming Expo will return in February 2020 for a fifth round of innovation, interaction and excellence.
Meat processors unhappy with freshwater proposals
The Government’s current freshwater proposals puts the viability of some meat processing plants in doubt, warns processors.
Primary Sector Council's starry-eyed vision
The Primary Sector Council (PSC) has unveiled its vision for the future of New Zealand’s primary industries.
Farmers encouraged by new strategy – Feds
The government’s launch this week of a strategy for the future of farming will encourage farmers, says Federated Farmers president Katie Milne.
World
Tip Top’s owner pays $6b for US ice cream business
The new owner of Tip Top Ice Cream, Froneri is paying over $6 billion for Nestle’s US ice cream business.
Chinese giant makes Aussie move
Chinese dairy giant Mengniu has become one of Australia’s major dairy processors with a brace of recent purchases.US milk giant goes bung
America's biggest milk producer, Dean Foods, has filed for bankruptcy and is planning to sell assets.Wood, sugarcane packs for milk
Australia's oldest dairy company will be selling milk and other products in renewable cartons from next month.US exports soar
US dairy exporters keep finding new markets for cheese and dairy ingredients despite facing trade tensions.Opinion
How to assist farmers
OPINION: Collectively we must support farmers to become sustainable.
The good, the bank and the ugly
OPINION: The news that most banks are pulling back or taking a more cautious approach to lending to the rural…Making change for the better
OPINION: Farmers are change adaptive, we can make change for the better.Analysis of regenerative ag needed
OPINION: The groundswell supporting the restoring powers of regenerative agriculture is mostly based on examples from overseas.New farm debt mediation law
Proactive and well-prepared farmers and lenders stand to gain from the introduction of the Farm Debt Mediation scheme, according to…Agribusiness
A year of rebuilding for OSPRI
This past year for OSPRI has seen rebuilding.
Govt approves $80m for Lincoln rebuild
Lincoln University says it is delighted that the Minister of Education has approved $80 million for new science facilities as…Guiding rural people to better ‘mind health’
Isolation combined with the pressure of running a business from home means some farmers are putting their own wellbeing and…NZ needs a better story
New Zealand needs to do a better job of telling its story in India, said a speaker at a New…Making it OK to ask for help
Meat processing company Alliance has started an employee support programme aimed at getting colleagues to look after each other and…Management
Be proactive about managing facial eczema
Now is the time to be proactive about managing facial eczema.
World’s worst weed on the prowl
With warmer weather bringing on forage maize crops in leaps and bounds, Waikato Regional Council is reminding farmers and growers to keep watch for velvetleaf.
Herringbone feed system has rotary benefits
A feeding system developed for herringbone dairy sheds by Tuakau-based PPP Industries is now ready for prime time, says general manager Nick Morison.
Veteran cleans up prime beef contest
Veteran cattleman John McCrory has set a record while easily dominating this year’s NZ Agricultural Show Prime Beef competition.
Contract milking offers opportunities
Contract milking is a good introduction to self-employment, says Northland AgFirst consultant Kim Robinson.
Farm Health
Proper training beats learning on the hoof
New Zealand's first professional dairy cow hoof trimmer has fulfilled a long-held dream, setting up a training institute to bring internationally recognised standards of hoofcare to the industry.
FE researchers aim to raise awareness
Facial eczema in dairy cattle can cause significant production losses without visible symptoms, says a new group formed to raise awareness of the disease.
Mastitis can milk you dry
Most clinical mastitis occurs over calving, so if you’ve had a good spring, you probably feel like you’re in the clear.
Pig virus on the march
A new report warns that a virus decimating parts of the global pork industry could spread to more countries next year.
Facial eczema – the hidden killer
Most of the damage caused by facial eczema (FE) is subclinical (no obvious external signs) and goes unnoticed until it’s too late, comments Agritrade.
Machinery & Products
JCB Loadall raises its game
JCB has released the third generation of its Loadall telescopic handlers with an extra 200kg lift capacity, a new chassis levelling control, new cabin and an air trailer braking option.
Revamped Claas tractors easier to operate
Claas has improved its popular Arion 600/500 tractors to coincide with the introduction of Stage V engines.
Diet mixer for big herds
Kongskilde has launched heavy duty transmission for its large complete diet mixers, citing larger dairy herds, longer mixing times and its success with its Mix+ concept.
Dual-purpose Keenan Orbital spreads muck up to 20m
With travelling irrigators being the preferred choice for dealing with dairy farm effluent in New Zealand, the sight of effluent tankers or manure spreaders is a relatively rare one.
Air drill offers speed and capacity
The German manufacturer Amazone claims its new Precea precision air-seeder is accurate and user-friendly even at operating speeds of up to 20 km/h.
» The RNG Weather Report
Motoring
Holden on the road for summer
In a move to demonstrate the capability of its vehicles, Holden recently put the talk to one side and ‘walked…
Navara’s mid-life make over
Midway through its product life cycle the Nissan Navara has had a cosmetic makeover and some upgraded technology.Colorado gets enhanced content
The Holden Colorado Z71 will be seen with new features when the 2020 model arrives at dealerships in November.New entry level model for Hilux
Toyota New Zealand has broadened its Hilux range with a new entry level two-wheel drive, the WorkMate, aimed at buyers…New wagon a little different
Subaru's latest SUV offering fills a need for drivers looking for something smaller and a little more potent than your…» The RNG Weather Report
» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Useless
The Hound notes that one of the country’s poorest financially performing state-owned enterprises – the Government farming entity Landcorp (or…
Rural revolt
Your old mate hears that the antics of the Government – especially the NZ First component – are fuelling motivation…
» Connect with Rural News
» eNewsletter
Popular Reads
Keeping ketosis away from goats
Ketosis in any of its forms can lead to sudden and catastrophic loss levels at kidding time.
Investors dump Fonterra shares
Fonterra's poor performance is driving institutional investors away from the co-op.
Analysis of regenerative ag needed
OPINION: The groundswell supporting the restoring powers of regenerative agriculture is mostly based on examples from overseas.
Rural Life
Mechanisation new for the US
The impetus behind developing the Klima stripper back in 2007 was a continual lack of labour during the pruning season.
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…