Not all stakeholders involved in the proposed merger of honey industry groups - ApiNZ and Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) combining to form a larger organisation - think the deal is so sweet.

While many MPs have been busy taking holidays in maybe exotic places, for Andrew Hoggard it's back to his old job as a dairy farmer during the so-called 'summer break'.

A steep learning curve, a very busy year and thank heavens for tractor therapy. That's how Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard described his first year in Parliament to reporter Peter Burke at his dairy farm in the Manawatu during the holiday break.

Kiwifruit and fresh produce handler Seeka will be bouncing back strongly from a big financial loss in 2023.

French company KUHN has won a EIMA Technical Innovation Award for its Baler Automation Technology.

While most New Zealand farmers operate with animals at pasture all year round, unlike their European counterparts, several operations in the South Island have invested in cow barns to beat the often-inclement weather.

Summer challenges dairy farming in unique ways. Heat stress, paired with changes in pasture quality can affect milk composition and overall productivity.

"We couldn't do this without our team. They are integral to everything." That's the first thing that Te Awamutu dairy farmers Jayson and Stacey Thompson have to say about their team.

DairyNZ's Kirsty Verhoek ‘walks the talk’, balancing her interests in animal welfare, agricultural science and innovative dairy farming.

Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer Karen Williams is the new chief executive of Irrigation New Zealand.