New Zealand's Latest Breaking News, Business, Sport, Weather, Entertainment, Politics

Latest FromMike Barrington

ANZ Northland Shearing Competition veteran Neil Sidwell.

THE COUNTRY | Shearing

Stalwart of the Northland shearing circuit makes final cut for Norwood awards

28 Feb, 2019 2:00pm
3 minutes to read

Neil Sidwell, of Waiwera is a finalist in the 2019 Norwood NZ Rural Sports Awards.

A fungus disease is attacking feijoa trees at Kerikeri, and it takes just three days for fruit to look like this. Photo / Supplied

BUSINESS

Funding to stave off feijoa crash

14 Feb, 2019 4:58pm
3 minutes to read

A fungus disease attacking feijoa trees is at risk of spreading.

A tractor tows a ute and horse float through mud at the showgrounds entrance last year.

THE COUNTRY

Fun guaranteed at the Wairoa A&P Show

7 Feb, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

127th annual Northern Wairoa A&P Show has something for everyone.

Grazing and finishing farms topped Northland rural land sales for the three months to December last year.

THE COUNTRY

Northland's rural production sector bucks trends

31 Jan, 2019 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

Lack of labour major constraint in a generally optimistic rural sector, says REINZ

Aucklanders have been driving up the price of Northland lifestyle properties.

THE COUNTRY

Rural city-fringe values soar in Northland

17 Jan, 2019 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Auckland buyers drive up lifestyle prices in Northland but dairy has lost ground.

Forestry looks promising, with four Northland forestry blocks selling at more than double the median price a year ago.

THE COUNTRY

Orchard sales in Northland hint at land-use trend

10 Jan, 2019 5:00pm
4 minutes to read

The Bay of Islands is showing strong growth in orchard land sales.

Grants for planting manuka and other trees that support bee health will provide farmers with environmental and economic benefits.

THE COUNTRY

Funds for mānuka plantings

6 Dec, 2018 5:00pm
3 minutes to read

Funding for manuka plants will help beekeeping cultivars progress.

Spring this year had been one of the best for some time with relatively mild conditions in most regions stimulating good growth and production in the pastoral, horticultural and vegetable growing sectors, according to REINZ rural spokesman Brian Peacocke. Photo / NZME

THE COUNTRY

Northland vendors hope mild spring will help with farm sale

6 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

At least 34 farms have sold in Northland in three months ending in October.

Cocavo director Chris Nathan holds a container of his company's blended extra virgin cold pressed coconut and avocado oils flavoured with turmeric and lemon zest. Alongside him staff prepare to start the automated processing equipment which blends and packs the product at Cocavo's Whangarei premises. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Cocavo spreads the good oil further

29 Nov, 2018 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

Entrepreneur hopes his blend of coconut and avocado oil will boost the Pacific Islands.

Living Water aims to restore two oxbow 'lakes' on the Hikurangi floodplain. Photo / Lance Lawson Photography

THE COUNTRY

Fonterra: Collaboration key to clean-up NZ waterways

22 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Fonterra counts the milestones a year after the launch of an ambitious river programme.

THE COUNTRY

Northern finalists line up for FMG Young Farmer of the Year

8 Nov, 2018 4:00am
3 minutes to read

Four farming hopefuls qualify for Northern Regional Final of Young Farmer of the Year.

Extension 350 project leader Luke Beehre (left) was presented with the EDNZ Best Practice in Sustainable Development Award by Parliamentary Under-secretary for Regional Development Fletcher Tabuteau (centre). At right is Northland Inc CEO Dr David Wilson, who is chairman of Economic Development NZ. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Farmer-led project Extension 350 wins award

1 Nov, 2018 4:30pm
2 minutes to read

A farmer-led project has received top honour at the 2018 Economic Development NZ Awards.

While Northland finishing farm sales failed to follow a national increase, the region's dairy farm sales reflected the 18.3 per cent national price plunge over the past 12 months. Photos / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Farm sales ease in Northland

1 Nov, 2018 3:30pm
4 minutes to read

Farm sale volumes in Northland in the period ending September 2018 continue to ease.

NZ Life Science Hikurangi owner Scott Massey in the abattoir being converted so it can produce collagen from cattle hides for human burn victims and other medical uses. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Finance hurdle stalls conversion of Northland abattoir

25 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

US rules hold up ambitious Hikurangi abattoir conversion project.

Lifestyle blocks appeal to people wanting to grow vegetables and raise alpacas, chooks and horses. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Lifestyle blocks leap in price

27 Sep, 2018 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Median prices have risen nearly $150,000 in two years.

Animals such as cows and sheep are said to be causing a huge percentage of New Zealand's greenhouse emissions through belching and, to a lesser extent, farting.

THE COUNTRY

Robin Grieve dismisses Upton report on Greenhouse emissions

6 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

New calls for politicians to rethink how methane is treated

Lined up to start planting 55,000 manuka seedlings at Waikara south of Waipoua Forest are, from left, Elliot Pike and Andrew Wearmouth of Kauri Park Nurseries, Te Roroa honey manager Erana Clarkson, Manuka Health's Dave Campbell, Te Roroa chairman Sonny Nesbit, Te Roroa general manager Snow Tane, and Rob Shemmings of Manuka Health.

THE COUNTRY

Loathed manuka now loved in Waipoua Forest

6 Sep, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Where once it was despised, manuka is now being planted with a golden future

Rural land sales are down with dairy and beef farmers dealing with calving and sheep farmers preparing for lambing. Photo / DairyNZ

THE COUNTRY

Spring brings glimmer of hope for Northland property vendors

30 Aug, 2018 11:28am
4 minutes to read

Farm sales are down but the Real Estate Institute senses an air of cautious optimism

Over 32000 cows have been culled because of mycoplasma bovis.

THE COUNTRY

Mycoplasma bovis cattle cull hits 32,000 mark

2 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

We look at progress a year after the response to Mycoplasma bovis began in earnest.

Mycoplasma bovis remains the dominant biosecurity fear on New Zealand cattle farms, with outbreaks continuing to have a devastating impact on those farming and rural businesses affected. Photo / DairyNZ

THE COUNTRY

Northland rural resilience in face of M. bovis

26 Jul, 2018 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Sales figures in Northland are encouraging for winter, says Real Estate Institute

Alex Macmillan with the Lomacs electric fence gate spring. Photo / Michael Cunningham

THE COUNTRY

Pipiwai beef farmer has high hopes for new gate spring

19 Jul, 2018 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Innovations: Metal spring invention hopes to replace plastic one in farm fences.

The median price for Northland dairy farms sold for the three months to May 31 was $19,258/ha, up from $18,553/ha in April 2018 and $10,587/ha for sales in May last year. The median price per hectare for dairy farms has increased 3.2 per cent over the past 12 months. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Mycoplasma bovis blamed for falling farm sales

5 Jul, 2018 1:14pm
4 minutes to read

Northland farm sale decline most severe of sales slumps throughout NZ.

Northland Regional Council is now exploring irrigation options for the region under the Provincial Growth Fund. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Northland water storage plans back on boil

28 Jun, 2018 9:00am
4 minutes to read

Council exploring possibility of Provincial Growth Fund financing for water project.

THE COUNTRY

M. bovis concerns over origin of calves

21 Jun, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Hundreds of farmers attend MPI/DairyNZ Mycoplasma bovis update meetings.

Seven Northland dairy farms sold for three months to April 2018 had a median sales price of $18,553/ha, well up on $15,286/ha for March sales and the $16,802/ha median in April last year.

THE COUNTRY

Despite great autumn, North leads slump in sales

24 May, 2018 8:30am
5 minutes to read

Figures have shown 55 fewer farm sales nationally than this time last year.

The 12 Northland grazing farms sold for the three months ended March 31 fetched a median price of $9462/ha

THE COUNTRY

REINZ: Solid upturn in Northland farm property

10 May, 2018 5:30pm
4 minutes to read

Despite fewer farms selling this year, the institute detects a rise in confidence.

Kathryn de Bruin would provide a second voice for the North on the Horticulture New Zealand board of directors.

THE COUNTRY

Horticulture NZ candidate hopes to amplify North voice

3 May, 2018 3:00pm
2 minutes to read

A Dargaville farmer seeks election on to the Horticulture NZ national board.

A shortage of available seedlings is expected to limit planting this year.

THE COUNTRY

Farmers put heft behind billion trees policy

3 May, 2018 10:29am
3 minutes to read

Northland farmers are involved in planting for the billion-tree planting programme.

There was standing room only in the woolshed when the field day got under way at James Parsons' farm in the Tangowahine Valley.

THE COUNTRY

Ashgrove Coopworth Field Day draws big crowds

26 Apr, 2018 3:30pm
4 minutes to read

James Parsons drew big crowds to a field day on his Ashgrove Coopworth stud.

All 16 Young Parader prize winners at the ASB Stadium on Sunday with youth representative Courtney Davis, right, alongside Royal Agricultural Society national president Geoff Smith, who presented the awards.

THE COUNTRY

Crowds come out to toast Young Paraders

19 Apr, 2018 6:30am
3 minutes to read

Prizegiving ceremony celebrates northern winners of Young Paraders competition.

Harvested logs ready to be trucked away from the Ross farm. Trees in the background awaiting felling were planted 400/ha, fertilised and pruned to 6m.

THE COUNTRY

Forestry provides financial freedom for immobilised farmer

5 Apr, 2018 5:30pm
4 minutes to read

The long-term benefits of growing pines give Murdoch Ross some financial freedom.

Maria and Diego Fathollahi with their son Esmaeel, now 3.

THE COUNTRY

Farm built on vision and hard work

5 Apr, 2018 2:30pm
3 minutes to read

Couple introduce blueberries grown in tunnel houses to make old avocado venture profitable

Northland dairy farm sale prices have crept up to $13,703/ha, far below the national dairy farm sales medium of $34,328/ha. But Northland finishing farms, fetching $27,201/ha, are close to the national median sales price of $30,656/ha.

THE COUNTRY

Dairy farm sales in Northland edge up

29 Mar, 2018 9:27am
4 minutes to read

Farm sales in Northland are edging up slowly.

The $13,304/ha median price for 13 Northland grazing farms sold for the three months ended January 31 exceeded the $11,828/ha median for the 113 grazing farms sold nationally in that period.

THE COUNTRY

Northland farm sales drop over summer

15 Mar, 2018 3:00pm
4 minutes to read

Fewer farms are selling in the Northland region.

THE COUNTRY

Wet season leaves Northland farmers smiling

1 Mar, 2018 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

The weather over summer brought favourable conditions for most Northland farms.

Northland has had an incredibly wet January this year. Photo / 123RF

THE COUNTRY

Second wettest January on record for Northland

1 Mar, 2018 3:00pm
2 minutes to read

January rainfall has been way above normal this year in Northland.

Tim Dangen, who is competing in the Northern regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest at Kerikeri, and his sister Emma, who is in the contest's Taranaki/Manawatu regional final.

THE COUNTRY

Eight vie for coveted Northern regional final of Young Farmer of the Year title

22 Feb, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

Eight contestants will vie for Northern regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year

Ross Mutton urges avocado growers not to neglect copper spraying to prevent fungal rot which infects growing fruit, causing damage which usually emerges after harvest.

THE COUNTRY

Copper spray key to high quality avocados

15 Feb, 2018 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

A trip to Australia persuades grower of benefits of using copper spray on avocados.

The $37,361/ha median price paid for three Northland finishing farms sold in the final quarter last year exceeded the $32,000/ha median for the 97 finishing farms averaging 42ha sold nationally over the same three months. The median price per hectare for finishing farms has risen 10.1 per cent over the past 12 months.

THE COUNTRY

Northland farm sales down

8 Feb, 2018 12:30pm
4 minutes to read

Northland is down 25 on its sales tally for the same time a year earlier.

Each chapter in The Intuitive Farmer addresses a different issue affecting farmers so, by the end of the novel, the reader will have absorbed important farm management principles and practices.

NEW ZEALAND

There is such a thing as farmer's intuition

1 Feb, 2018 7:52pm
3 minutes to read

Two Lincoln University researchers have been examining how Kiwi farmers make decisions.

Large bunches of bananas drew attention to the Tropical Fruit Growers of New Zealand stands at the Bay of Islands and Whangarei A&P Shows.

THE COUNTRY

Tropical Fruit Growers NZ membership soars

25 Jan, 2018 5:00pm
4 minutes to read

Tropical Fruit Growers of New Zealand membership has soared over the last year.

Leptospirosis is usually associated with cattle in New Zealand, but the disease can also be spread by pigs, possums, rats, mice and hedgehogs.

THE COUNTRY

Concern over leptospirosis spike in Northland

18 Jan, 2018 5:30pm
4 minutes to read

Northland cases of leptospirosis jump to highest number in 20 years.

Dane Trebilco, 8, of Matapouri, left, gets close to friendly cow Chardonney, raised by Courtney McLean (crouching) for school calf club showdays, with Ella Beehre (behind) and 3-year-old Patariki Job, held by his mother Juanita. Photo / Mike Barrington

THE COUNTRY

Northland farm gates open to good vibes

14 Dec, 2017 12:00pm
2 minutes to read

Fonterra Open Gates events in Northland receive perceptive questions and positive feedback

Luke and Lyna have three children - Georgia, Josh and Ella - and run a dairy and genetics business milking 250 cows and supplying bulls to both farmers and the genetics industry.

THE COUNTRY

Northland farms to open gates for water inspection

30 Nov, 2017 3:30pm
3 minutes to read

Two Northland dairy farms will open their gates on December 10 to show water protection.

James and Janine Parsons with dogs on their 478ha Ashgrove Coopworths stud in the Tangowahine Valley about 20km north-east of Dargaville.

THE COUNTRY

Chairman steps down from the Beef + Lamb board

23 Nov, 2017 6:00pm
2 minutes to read

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) chairman James Parsons will not seek re-election

Some dairy farmers have turned their backs on sharemilkers, preferring contract milking, equity partnerships and leasing agreements since low milk payouts put pressure on farm finances.

THE COUNTRY

Milk price volatility spurs flexibility

16 Nov, 2017 4:30pm
3 minutes to read

Traditions are changing for dairy farmers wanting to slow down

Brad and Lesley Roberts, who took the Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year title in the 2015 Northland Dairy Industry Awards, are regional managers for the 2018 Northland awards.

THE COUNTRY

Awards for dairy industry on offer

19 Oct, 2017 5:00pm
2 minutes to read

Entries in Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager, Dairy Tranee of the Year now open

Streams wider than a metre and deeper than 30cm must be fenced, but smaller unfenced streams have been found to cause most stock contamination of waterways. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Study: Small streams have huge impact

12 Oct, 2017 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Rethink on rules over smaller streams needed says research

Beef + Lamb will establish a Future Farm in Northland.

THE COUNTRY

Future Farm may be set up in North

12 Oct, 2017 2:00pm
2 minutes to read

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is to establish a "Future Farm" in Northland

The Rural Delivery television programme faces an uncertain future after losing NZ On Air funding. Photo / TVNZ

THE COUNTRY

TV show loses funding at bad time, says Milne

12 Oct, 2017 1:00pm

A call has gone out to get Rural Delivery back on our screens next year.

Federated Farmers dairy industry group chairman Chris Lewis

THE COUNTRY

New pathway to dairy industry

5 Oct, 2017 12:30pm
3 minutes to read

Dairy apprenticeships launched to get more workers on farms

The Mangakahia Rd entrance provides access to the Mangakahia River, over which Hancock Forest Management want to build a crossing for machinery to harvest pines on the other side. Photo / Michael Cunningham

BUSINESS

River log jams prompt rethink

28 Sep, 2017 5:00pm
5 minutes to read

Hapu fear proposed crossing will damage a shared resource and scuttle their own plans

Okaihau Pastoral Ltd managers Joe and Jenima Foster.

THE COUNTRY

Top farm to open its gates

14 Sep, 2017 4:30pm
4 minutes to read

Farm managers win Best Northland Farm Performance Award for the second year running

Chris Mason has taken over as Whangarei A&P Society chief executive officer.

THE COUNTRY

McKerrow passes on show baton

10 Aug, 2017 5:00pm
3 minutes to read

Committee had 'compelling' reasons to select new chief executive

A DairyNZ and Northland Dairy Development Trust survey aims to identify what farmers need to know to consider switching to once-a-day milking.

THE COUNTRY

Northern region's farmers surveyed

27 Jul, 2017 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Questions intended to make once-a-day milking switch easier

Associate Primary Industries Minister Louise Upston awards the 2017 Northland Forestry Skilled Professional of the Year trophy to Shayne Maxwell, health and safety manager and company trainer for Kohurau Contracting at Kaikohe.

THE COUNTRY

Winner of Northland forestry prize leads by example

13 Jul, 2017 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Top forestry industry prize winner can truly walk in the shoes of others he works with

Lachie McLean (left), nephew Harris and cousin Jack on the Waipu farm. Consultants' advice has helped more than double milk production. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Consultants talk, money sings

6 Jul, 2017 5:30pm
4 minutes to read

Rural consultants help boost farm incomes through improved farm management

Grazing, finishing and forestry feature strongly among the 67 Northland farm sales in the three months ended May 31.

THE COUNTRY

Quality lifestyle lots in demand in Northland

29 Jun, 2017 10:41am
4 minutes to read

Forestry block sales show good returns in Northland

Farmers learn the financial results of the dairying feed research during the NARF field day earlier this month.

THE COUNTRY

Study pits grass against PKE

22 Jun, 2017 1:48pm
4 minutes to read

Project at Dargaville may spur many farmers into re-evaluating their feed systems.

From left, Taoko Wihongi (trustee), Rachel Witana (trustee), Raniera Tau (chairman), Lloyd Brennan (farm manager), Bruce Cutforth (trustee) and Dr Te Tuhi Robust (trustee). Mr Tau and Mr Cutforth are holding the Ahuwhenua Trophy and the other cup is a smaller replica the trust will keep when the big trophy is returned. Photo / Alphapix

THE COUNTRY

Tino pai! Trust takes top award

1 Jun, 2017 10:11am
3 minutes to read

A Trust farm near Kaikohe has won the Ahuwhenua Trophy Maori Excellence in Farming Award.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Hui at Kaitaia to discuss Maori land reform bill

10 Mar, 2016 3:00pm
2 minutes to read

NZTA visits Poroti marae to engage over a proposed highway: communications adviser Kelli Sullivan (left), senior network manager Ed Varley, safety and network performance manager Tim Crow and bridge maintenance contract manager Nick Coxhill. Photo / Michael Barrington

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Maori raise road issue

21 Jan, 2016 2:30pm
3 minutes to read