TRACTOR FIRES caused by nesting birds take a regular toll of farmers’ gear. Birds want somewhere warm and dry to nest, and since many modern tractors are turbocharged there can be intense heat under a bonnet, therefore attractive for nesting but a greater fire risk.

DairyNZ board member Barbara Kuriger has been announced as the winner of the first annual Dairy Woman of the Year award.

Zespri this week released the start of a recovery pathway from the devastating vine-killing disease Psa involving the wide-scale release of a newly commercialised gold kiwifruit variety, known as Gold3.

WESTLAND MILK Products has bagged a top R&D award, winning the 'Best use of Research and Development in International Business' award, 2012.

The market held up fairly well for the last of the larger offerings of this season with 22,700 bales on offer and an 84% clearance, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.

NEW ZEALAND’S agricultural technology transfer system is complex and fragmented, and the consequences could blemish our image overseas, a Government commissioned report warns.

NEXT SEASON'S milk payouts face a greater threat from the surging Kiwi dollar than supply/demand issues around the world, says BNZ economist Doug Steel.

INSURANCE CLAIMS arising from the hurricane-force winds that hit Taranaki a fortnight ago reached $5 million last week and were still rising.

FOUR OF six prestigious new awards recognising outstanding commitment to sustainable land management and local communities have gone to farmers.

TWO MAJOR horticultural industry organisations believe the takeover of Turners and Growers by German company BayWa will be good for growers.