OPINION: Each week I receive a newsletter called Areopagus, with ‘seven short lessons’ on various historical figures, classical music, paintings, architecture, rhetoric and writing, finishing with a philosophical question. It’s fascinating.

The agency charged with controlling the serious bee disease American Foul Brood (AFB) has defended itself against criticism from a North Canterbury beekeeper who was recently ordered to destroy equipment following a find of AFB spores in his storage shed.

Marie Fitzpatrick, who will take over as chief executive of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) on 1 July, says it’s important to keep people front and centre as the world evolves and changes.

A company extracting keratin-based ingredients from strong New Zealand wool believes its expansion into new factory premises in Christchurch will help it to a bigger slice of a US$2 billion international market.

Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton says farming is becoming an increasingly digital and data-driven business.

The Government's decision to keep agriculture out of the New Zealand emissions trading scheme (ETS) has been roundly applauded by farmers.

A record 13 dairy farms supplying milk to low-carbon dairy processor, Miraka qualified for an extra premium of 20c/kgMS this season.

A sustainable merino wool replacement for rockwool and peat used in greenhouse growing won the Prototype Award at the National Fieldays innovation awards last night.

Except for horticulture, New Zealand’s main primary exports – namely dairy, meat and wool and forestry - are in for a bumpy ride in the coming 12 months.

Farmers are cautiously welcoming the Government’s decision to hold an inquiry into rural banking.