HALF THE human cases of leptospirosis recorded each year in New Zealand are farmers, a turnaround from 15 years ago when meat workers dominated disease statistics, one of a new series of videos from Massey University warns.

ONLY 10-20 years ago the idea of unmanned planes mapping crops was seen as science fiction or the domain of space agencies, but now it’s commercial reality for just $5/ha here in New Zealand.

WAIKITE STATION is set in the valley of the same name about 30 minutes drive south of Rotorua. It’s a beautiful area with commercial and lifestyle farms and is popular for its hot thermal pools.

WITH SPRING finally (hopefully) here and the grass starting to grow, farmers will be looking to rebuild their supplementary feed stocks by making hay and silage.

YOU KNOW there is something seriously wrong with the priorities in the country’s education system when we have only 100 agricultural science graduates – compared with 120 in acupuncture – in one year. If this wasn’t so serious it would be a joke. 

TO ACHIEVE our goal of doubling exports by 2025 we need to ensure industry has the right people with the right skills. Already there are 350,000 people in New Zealand employed in the primary sector. By 2025 there will be closer to 400,000. 

POLICY WORK on the $150m extension to the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) announced just before the election is now being carried out, says Communications Minister Amy Adams.

FARMING IS becoming ‘sexy’ again for young people overseas, but New Zealand has not caught up with this trend yet, says Southland dairy farmer Michael Horgan.

THE COUNTRY’S second-largest dairy company Westland has cut its payout for the coming season and it’s expected Fonterra will make a similar call this month.

FEDERATED FARMERS is undergoing a ‘strategy refresh’, as revealed to Rural News by president William Rolleston at the national council meeting in Wellington last month. It involves discussions with all provincial presidents, assisted by a management consultant.