-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
Your canine crusader often hears claims that South Island’s West Coast is a backwater and behind the times.
But this old mutt’s dealings with the farmers and agribusiness sector on the coast proves this is not so. However, he reckons the farming sector in the region is being badly let down by its regional council which still refuses to support the Ballance Farm Environmental Awards – making the coast the only region where these awards are not council-backed. The Hound suggests West Coast regional councillors need to pull their socks up and get behind the contest; these awards showcase some of NZ’s best and most environmentally sound farmers, of which the coast has many.
Popular Reads
Farmer anger over Joy's social media post
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of…Fonterra consumer business sale price jumps to $4.22b
The sale price of Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses to the world’s largest dairy company Lactalis has risen to…Open Country finalises acquisition of Miraka Limited
Open Country Dairy has finalised a deal to acquire 100% of Miraka.Strong production, tested demand send milk prices crashing
Strong global milk production and rebalancing of demand among key buyers has delivered one of the biggest drops in whole…Featured
NZ household food waste falls again
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
Editorial: No joking matter
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ plantain trials cut nitrate leaching by 26%
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
Less Red Tape, More Markets: NZ exporters get certainty
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
South Otago farmer balances family, farming and drought challenges
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Sir Lockwood Smith: Use academic freedom with great care
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
National
Pāmu launches equity partnership at Mahiwi Farm
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock…
Rural contractors call for overhaul of ag vehicle rules
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling…NZ seeks certainty on US tariff, says McClay
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better…Trial shows benefits of spring nitrogen use
A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not…Eric Roy: Championing the pork industry
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after…Machinery & Products
Tech might take time
Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…
John Deere acquires GUSS Automation
John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…Fencing excellence celebrated
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…Lemken sub-soiler helps mix soil, lift structure
Complementing its existing range of tillage implements, German manufacturer Lemken has introduced the new Onyx subsoiler said to offer working…Golden Fendt tractor shines at US Capitol
ACGO showcased a one-of-a-kind golden Fendt tractor at the US Capitol in early August, commemorating the Great American Farmers Market,…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
A step too far
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
Save us from SAFE
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.
» Connect with Rural News
» eNewsletter
