The wet season currently affecting the southern part of the country is leaving many rural contractors and farmers under financial pressure, claims Rural Contractors NZ.

FOR THE countless cooks poring over the recipe books in search of the perfect menu this Christmas, here is a sobering thought - no soil, no sumptuous spread.

A JOINT study by rural insurer FMG and Lincoln University suggests three actions farmers and growers can take to help prevent storm damage to their irrigators: point, park and anchor. 

SHUTTLING ONE tractor between two dairy farms was a nuisance so the Singh family bought another – a Case IH Maxxum 115X Bronze.

WE DON’T often get to drive a Lexus at Rural News, and it’s always welcome. We know we are in for something special when Lexus calls. 

A 2.7M GLABER mulcher has halved the time needed to maintain pasture quality, says Kaitaia grower and drystock farmer David Foster. He raises bulls and grows kumara on his farm on the western edges of Kaitaia.

MENTION WATER quality and the topics that spring to mind are run-off, leaching and the state of our lakes and rivers, but for livestock farmers animal health should be up there too, says a Feilding nutritionist.

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.