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.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).
Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.
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A landmark moment for New Zealand. That's how Prime Minister Christopher Luxon describes the conclusion of negotiations for an India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. 
Farmers more satisfied with banks, but confidence remains below 2017 levelsAccording to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade. Nathan Guy is the new special agricultural trade envoyFormer Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE). Alliance commissions major heat pump system at Mataura, cutting coal use and emissionsAlliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland. World
Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accordThe ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows…
NZ–Canada dairy trade dispute resolvedThe 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 mergeThe creation of Europe's largest dairy co-operative should be complete by early 2026.Young Aussie farmers gain global insights on study tour to IrelandTwenty 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 clearanceThe world's largest dairy company may be in pole position to acquire Fonterra's Australian assets.Opinion
Share, spread goodwill this festive seasonOPINION: As you sit down to read my column today, I trust all is well at your place.
Let's celebrate the FTAOPINION: Christmas is supposedly a time for good will, joy and celebration and this year everyone should be dancing with…Editorial: So long, RMAOPINION: 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 pedalOPINION: Last week marked a major step forward in our work to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis.The dirt on soil: Why healthy soil mattersOPINION: 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 AwardsApplications 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 heritageRavensdown 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 downThe final Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction has delivered bad news for dairy farmers.Three new grower directors appointed to FAR boardEffective 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 yearFonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million-…Management
Preparing for new freshwater plansOPINION: With Freshwater Farm Plan (FWFP) regulations imminent, growers need practical, funded support now – not just more paperwork. 
Hitting heifer liveweight targetsEarly 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 PlymouthFor 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. Having an eye for evaluating stock conditionI wrote an article titled ‘The Basics of Grazing’ in the May 6th issue of Rural News, with a follow-up on July 1st about stock handling, and now I’m continuing the theme with a discussion on assessing stock condition. Canterbury Jersey Farm leads sustainable, efficient dairyingA Canterbury family farm is proving how Jerseys, innovation and strong breed commitment are shaping the next generation of sustainable, efficient dairy farming in New Zealand. Farm Health
Beef Progeny Test 2025: Genetic insights for NZ beef industryAt Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test. 
Early summer stress risks dairy cow pregnancy successBy 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 weaningThe 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 interestFarmer 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 calvingThird-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 52mManufactured 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 AwardsLast 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 UpgradesCase 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 ShedsThe 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 techCase 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 NZStepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just…
Ford's new additionFord New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…Jimny goes 5-doorFifty years ago, Suzuki was a pioneer in developing a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fourwheel drive capability and…Big tick for a big truckElectric 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 OnlineThe Hound
Yes, Minister!OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day… Two-legged pestsOPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to… Milking ItTrump's tariffsPresident Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according… Tanker on the rollSeen a giant cheese roll rolling along Southland’s roads? » Connect with Rural News» eNewsletter
Popular ReadsOpen Country opens butter plantWhen American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give… MPI launches industry-wide project to manage feral deerAn industry-wide project led by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is underway to deal with the rising number of feral… Early drought fears ease in Hawke’s Bay, but caution remainsFears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least. |
