AgResearch Principal Scientist Dr Alec Mackay believes there is real value in farmers engaging subject specialists outside the current suite of advisors such as water quality, biodiversity, climate change and carbon sequestering. Peter Burke reports.

OPINION: A recent Rural News editorial raised issues about work to reduce agricultural emission and the approval of methane inhibitors.

Dairy Farmgate milk prices have followed commodity prices higher worldwide, with some potential upside in some regions.

Here's a small snapshot of some of the high rainfall totals across much of New Zealand during February - 140mm at Fairhall, 375mm at Masterton, 248mm at Napier.

For the third consecutive time, a viticulturist has won the Young Horticulturist (Kaiahuone rangatahi o te tau) competition.

DairyNZ says the decision to allow an extra 500 international workers to help on dairy farms will help with the present shortage - estimated to be 4,000 workers.

The three f's - namely fuel, fertiliser and feed prices - led the pack in double digit on-farm cost increases over the last year.

Former Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills has been elected as the new chair of fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown.

Industry levy organisations Beef+Lamb NZ (BLNZ) and DairyNZ claim they've got a strong steer from the recently completed farmer consultation for a farm levy for pricing agricutural emissions.

Central Otago’s subregional story is globally recognised and locally cherished, says Felton Road Winemaker Blair Walter, welcoming the registration of Bannockburn as a Geographical Indication.