Southland's normally wet climate is counting against it as the region struggles under what is thought to be its worst drought in 80 years.

Farmers are being warned that they need to adapt to consumer-led change or risk going out of business.

Rachael is with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in Dubai, Mike's a technology entrepreneur based in the United States, and Garry is an administrator in Nelson.

The Covid-19 vintage of 2020 and labour-tight chaser of 2021 were merely a warm-up for 2022, with Omicron's peak running in painful parallel to harvest.

Those who don’t know Southland could be excused for not understanding that the province is in the midst of a drought, according local farmer Dean Rabbidge who is also Federated Farmers local Meat and Wool chair.

The health of agricultural workers exposed to harmful airborne chemicals is in the spotlight, with one company introducing New Zealand-first technology to limit exposure and help meet the need for increased protection.

Now into its seventh year, the Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics Dairy Beef Progeny Test (DBPT) continues to create value for both the beef industry and the dairy industry, by identifying and enabling the widespread use of superior bulls for use over dairy cows.

Using DNA to identify the unique make-up of a dairy cow will become an increasingly powerful tool for dairy farmers as they look to fast-track the genetic gain of their herds, says new CRV myDNA product manager Anna Morrow.

A Fonterra directive that non-replacement calves from supplying farms enter a value stream from next year is a bold move, says William Morrison, Morrison Farming.

OPINION: Next year will be the most important decision that we will have ever faced. You will need to think about what we have had, what we have now and what you want for the future.