Much of New Zealand’s best vegetable growing soils are being eaten away by housing and lifestyle blocks, which will increase people’s food bills, a new report warns.

Robbie Ellison describes himself as a fisherman with a kiwifruit orcharding habit.

More than 400 farmers attended a recent series of Groundswell NZ meetings around Canterbury and the West Coast to discuss new freshwater and biodiversity rules being imposed on the farming sector.

New Zealand Forest Service (formerly Forestry New Zealand) says it is laying the foundations for a new biofuels industry, to turn forestry waste into a potential billion-dollar industry.

After more than a decade of at times acrimonious wrangling, it seems that peace is breaking out on how to manage the environment in the Manawatu, Whanganui and Rangitikei districts.

New Zealand Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular has overseen the industry almost treble in value during the past 10 years.

Environmentalist and North Otago farmer Jane Smith says her alliance with Groundswell NZ and the Rural Advocacy Network during a recent South Island tour is not some type of underground gangster movement.

At least one bank is forecasting an $8 opening forecast farmgate milk price for the next season.

Verne Atmore has been announced as the new independent director to the board of PBBnz in Feilding.

Autumn calving farmers from around New Zealand are expected to attend a service bull sale on the outskirts of Huntly in early May - some in person, but most online.