Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.

Ploughing champions Mark Dillon and Malcolm Taylor earned the right to represent the country at the World Ploughing Championships in Osijek, Croatia, on 5 and 6 September, after winning their titles at the New Zealand Ploughing Championships in Middlemarch in 2025.

OPINION: It's no surprise that "world-class biosecurity" continues to dominate as the top priority for agribusiness leaders, holding the number one spot for the 16th consecutive year in KPMG's latest agribusiness report.

{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Queenstown to Host Sold-Out New Zealand Apple and Pear Conference", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Staff Reporters" }, "datePublished": "2026-07-08T08:55", "image": "https://www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/media/k2/items/cache/d0a1138ab02abf94dce1d09127c41869_L.jpg", "articleBody": "More than 300 growers, exporters, researchers, service providers and industry leaders will descend on Queenstown later this month for EXPO 2026, the annual conference for New Zealand’s apple and pear sector.\n\t \n\t \t \t \n\t \n\t \t\nThe sold-out event at QT Hotel on July 22–23, brings together the people, businesses and organisations that drive New Zealand's $1.26 billion dollar apple and pear industry.\nThe conference provides a valuable opportunity to connect, share knowledge and discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry's future.\nThis year's event features an expanded EXPO format, with a strong focus on networking, technology, innovation and practical business insights. Growers will be able to engage directly with suppliers, explore the latest technologies, products and services, and view machinery demonstrations in one convenient location.\nComplementing the exhibition are specialist and technical sessions delivered across the two days, covering topics ranging from orchard profitability and productivity to trade agreements, the future of market access, policy, politics, domestic and international research experts and the sectors long-term growth ambitions.\n \n\n\n \nSpeaker highlights include Minister…

Signs for the 2026-27 kiwifruit crop look good, but there are still some challenges for growers – especially those who produce green kiwifruit.

A warning to all those in the primary sector to prepare for an unpredictable El Niño weather pattern in the coming season.

Dairy continues to be the mainstay of the country's primary export earnings.

Environment Southland is calling on residents to be vigilant and check their properties after a new Old Man's Beard site was discovered near Dipton.

The country's second largest milk processor, Open Country Dairy, is building a butter plant at its Awarua site in Invercargill.

Wilding pines are the wrong tree in the wrong place, and they need to go, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.