Dr Richard Smart began shining a light on grape growing in the late 1960s, increasingly fascinated by how sunlight interception by vineyards impacted yields and fruit quality.

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.

Dairy

Just on two years ago Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc in Hawke's Bay causing massive damage to NZ's largest apple growing region.

Following several years of pain, farmers and growers are facing a decent upswing in commodity prices, say economists.

OPINION: The New Year is well underway, and in January the first grapes of the new vintage were harvested in Northland. So, another year begins.

Alliance Group says it has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following the approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.

OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.

OPINION: Some commentators across the ditch reckon the second Trump administration's anticipated trade protectionism, coupled with China's economic fragility, poses a significant risk for Australia's agricultural export industries.

The Australian goatmeat industry set a new record for production and exports last year.