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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

Brothers Matthew, left, and Luke McGilp at their dust-covered home while a cloud of dust swirls up from a loaded logging truck moving down Opouteke Rd behind them. Photo / Mike Barrington

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Dust slows sale of home

17 Dec, 2015 3:30pm
4 minutes to read

Former directors Greg Gent (front left) and Colin Armer (right) at the Fonterra annual meeting put their proposal to reduce the milk giant's board from 13 to nine directors so the new

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Most milkers vote for trim

10 Dec, 2015 7:00pm
4 minutes to read

Planting flax on a Wairau River oxbow are, from left, Fish & Game Whangarei officer Nathan Burkepile, Sam Job, master planter Buck Cullen, John Hampton from Landcare and Millan Ruka from Environment River Patrol Aotearoa. Photo / ERPA

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Fighting for fencing

26 Nov, 2015 12:30pm
4 minutes to read

Hugh Rose holds a reader for NAIT ear tags. He thinks RFID on stock crates is a better tracking solution. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Day in court approaches at last

12 Nov, 2015 5:00pm
4 minutes to read

Murray Lowe has put his Opouteke Rd home on the market because road dust stirred up by logging trucks and trailers is making life a misery for him and his family. Photot / Mike Barrington

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Human cost of log trucks

29 Oct, 2015 4:30pm
3 minutes to read

The Whangarei Summer Show, to be held at the Barge Showgrounds in Maunu on December 5-6, will demonstrate pride in the land and the produce generated from it. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Focus firmly on the farming

29 Oct, 2015 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Farm sales have quietened, due to a shortage of listings in Northland. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Farmers hold tight to capital

22 Oct, 2015 5:00pm
3 minutes to read

Rose Weatherall grafts Hass fruiting scions on to rootstock in the nursery's polyhouse extension. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Riding atop the avocado wave

22 Oct, 2015 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Silver Fern Farms operates 21 processing sites nationally, including this meat works at Dargaville. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

China head start for SFF

17 Sep, 2015 2:30pm
3 minutes to read

Jason van der Hulst was runner-up in the Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year competition for the second year in succession. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Topiary guru hedges bets for next time

16 Jul, 2015 5:00pm
2 minutes to read

Far North District Council have declared their intention to get the District Court to declare several plots of land as abandoned.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

D-Day looms for owners of 'abandoned' land

16 Jul, 2015 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Jared McLeod has tasted success in both the Alto and Competenz competitions in the past.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland trio miss making top cut at finals

9 Jul, 2015 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Northland grazing properties fetched a median price of $13,392 a hectare in the three months to May 30. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Low median dairy price

2 Jul, 2015 5:00pm
2 minutes to read

The $220 million Yashili dairy factory at Pokeno.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Farmers' leader warns dairying's in dire straits

18 Jun, 2015 3:00pm
2 minutes to read

Hemoata Kopa initially wanted to join the army but decided to pursue farming.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Hemoata pipped at the post

4 Jun, 2015 5:00pm
2 minutes to read

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Chinese buy-up of Northland farms

5 May, 2015 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Nationally, there were 455 farm sales to the end of January compared with 486 in the final quarter of 2014.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Strong market for farm sales

19 Mar, 2015 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Whangarei-based Farmland co-operative staff Nigel Parton, left, and Garry Parsons take a break from putting their display together at the Northland Field Days at Dargaville. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Omens good for field days

26 Feb, 2015 7:20pm
3 minutes to read

Terence Brocx (pictured) , Penny Smart and Tracey Bryan will be representing 1000 dairy farmers.

Trio give Northland dairy a voice

12 Dec, 2014 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The Golden Bay Cement works at Portland is in a proposed Strategic Rural Industry Environment zone. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Plan open for comment

30 Oct, 2014 3:30pm
4 minutes to read

People have until Dec 19 to comment on proposed Whangarei District Council changes that will control the district's future rural development.

Environment River Patrol Aotearoa kaitiaki Millan Ruka. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Pollution shocks water forum

30 Oct, 2014 2:00pm
3 minutes to read

Overseas visitors attending the Waitaha 2014 International Forum on Water earlier this month were dismayed to find the sea in which they were swimming was polluted with stock effluent.

Murray Jamieson alongside Brown Swiss dairy cows which Peruvian farmers tether by their noses to graze on lucerne grown without lime or fertiliser on the unfenced highlands.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Jamieson revs up campaign

9 Oct, 2014 3:30pm
3 minutes to read

Okaihau dairy farmer Murray Jamieson has returned from a 10-day agricultural advisory mission in Peru to renew his campaign for election to the Dairy NZ board of directors.

Murray Jamieson is in South America giving advice on improving agricultural productivity on 15 million hectares in the Peruvian highlands.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Peru seeks Northlander's help

25 Sep, 2014 4:00pm
2 minutes to read

Dairy farmer Murray Jamieson left on Saturday for South America, where he is now providing advice on improving the agricultural productivity of the 15m-ha Peruvian highlands.

John McGrath wearing WOWO - We Oughta Warn Others - at the White Ribbon Day event at the Town Basin PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Visit marked by sombre message

25 Nov, 2013 4:27pm
2 minutes to read

Dairy farming could help turn non-productive Maori land into profitable enterprises, to help grow the pie for the region in terms of output and jobs. Photo / Bevan Conley

Ministry targets Maori land to boost farming

15 Oct, 2013 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Converting land to productive use will create jobs, says report.

Northland power prices have increased significantly.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland power rises worst in North Island

5 Oct, 2013 6:00am
3 minutes to read