A NEW 'hands on' initiative, which brings the classroom into the orchard, is helping combat the labour shortage in the horticulture industry.

INVESTIGATIONS INTO how a single fruit fly arrived in Whangarei must continue after the local port ruled out being the source, Labour's Primary Industries spokesman Damien O'Connor says.

A HAWKE'S Bay farmer is lucky to be alive, unaware his truck made contact with live lines while preparing to tip a load of soil on his rural property.

THE FIRST OF seven Grand Finalists will be determined next weekend, Saturday, February 15 as Tasman starts the 2014 Regional Finals for the ANZ Young Farmer Contest in Murchison.

A WARNING on heavy reliance on the one market of China has been sounded by Beef + Lamb NZ chief economist Andrew Burtt.

ONE CHILD a year on average is killed outside a school gate.

WOOL WAS on a downward spiral four or five years ago but that has been reversed, says a visiting UK head of two major wool organisations, Peter Ackroyd.

YOUR OLD mate is well aware of the struggles the ag sector has in attracting young people.

THE GREAT Dairy War for the hearts -- and milk supply – of western Victoria’s farmers has been waged and won, with the Canadian giant Saputo claiming the prize of local processor Warrnambool Cheese and Butter. 

CANADIAN DAIRY processor Saputo has finally won control of Australia’s oldest dairy processor, Warrnambool Cheese and Butter.