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 late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a passionate advocate for soil stewardship.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has announced a nationwide programme of sponsorships for science fairs.
The sponsorships will see Ballance launch a new Sustainable Agricultural Award category at several regional science and technology fairs across New Zealand.
Ballance will sponsor the award in the Central Northland, South and East Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Canterbury-Westland and Otago science and technology fairs.
The Auckland North Harbour and Marlborough science and technology fairs will receive additional sponsorship activity from Ballance.
Ballance’s Sustainability Food and Fibres Futures programme manager Suzanne Young says that by sponsoring the science fairs, the company hopes to get students interested in the career options the food and fibre sector has to offer.
“We wanted to find an innovative and meaningful way to connect New Zealand school students with all the amazing work happening in the food and fibre sector to improve the environment for a sustainably productive future.
“For the Auckland North Harbour science fair, we are sponsoring the Living World category, which celebrates students’ understanding of the living organisms such as NZ plants and animals, their investigations into local ecosystems and understanding the interdependence of living organisms, including humans and their relationship with their physical environment.”
Young says that Ballance will be a gold sponsor for the Marlborough science fair. Ballance will also provide a local judge and help promote the science fairs through targeted and localised communications.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has released its 2026 election manifesto, outlining priorities to support the sector’s growth, resilience, and contribution to New Zealand’s food security and export revenue.
Farmers have voted to continue the Milksolids Levy that funds DairyNZ.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has resigned after eight years in the role.
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.
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.
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.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.