Rural and farming news

Summer questions: A year of change for dairy - Fonterra's Matt Bolger reflects

MD of co-operative affairs says the sale of Mainland will deliver value back to farmers.

Dairy expo returns to Bedford Park in February

The two-day expo runs at Bedford Park, Matamata, on February 18 and 19.

'Our cows really surprised us': Why less is more on this dairy farm

The Burgesses' 320-cow Friesian herd now averages 700kgMS from 550kg cows.

An epic, wild 218 days: Meet the family of six who walked the length of NZ

An astonishing adventure, including being mistaken for the then-missing Marokopa family.

The Country: Who is Jamie Mackay's Ag Person of the Year?

On air today: Carson, Wyn-Harris, Rookes, Guy, Duncum, Wiggins, Brandolino, McKay.

The Country: Shane Jones' Ag People of the Year

Shane Jones, Alison Shanks, Todd Charteris, John McOviney, and Chris Russell are on air.

The Country: Who is the PM's Ag Person of the Year

Christopher Luxon, Miles Hurrell, Jane Smith, Hunter McGregor, and Jim Hopkins.

Fonterra spreads festive cheer with food bank support, giving trees and gifts

Sponsored content: Co-op's farmers, tanker drivers and staff are busy helping communities.

Farming with AI: Waipukurau farmer moves his stock while on holiday in Colombia

'It was just one of those light bulb moments like ‘holy s*** I need this.'

Chris Bray: 3 tech megatrends driving NZ's post-harvest revolution

OPINION: We need machine-driven agriculture, but with human oversight and innovation.

The newest farmhands are tiny and pink and love devouring a potent pollutant

Microbes at a California dairy farm cut effluent storage pond methane by more than 85%.

Scientist honoured for groundbreaking work in plant genetics

Dr Tony Conner led Southern Hemisphere's first field trials of genetically modified crops.

Summer questions: A year of change for dairy - Fonterra's Matt Bolger reflects

MD of co-operative affairs says the sale of Mainland will deliver value back to farmers.

Teacher turns lockdown hobby into new distillery business

'The environment has played a key role in what we’re about.'

Search our map: Swathes of NZ land bought by Ikea for forestry

Ikea's NZ land holdings will soon be the size of the entire Nelson region. See it mapped.

Fran O'Sullivan: Bipartisanship support for trade deals is crucial

OPINION: Why political parties need to prioritise the national interest on trade.

Farmer’s rare 1939 Ford truck finds new life in 'man shed'

The 3-tonne 1939 Ford flathead V8 was imported from the United States.

Pastures Past: How donkeys and mules carried kids, cargo and Kiwi troops

Six Ponui-bred donkeys were brought to Auckland Zoo in 1937 to give children rides.

Shade: The best ways to chill out in your garden this summer

OPINION: Whatever you choose, remember that summer is for relaxing, not baking.

Avocado growers brace for $150b shift

More than half of New Zealand farm owners will be 65 or older within a decade.

‘What the?’ Fisherman’s 96kg marlin turns heads on drive home

He hauled in the 96.1kg marlin after a 40-minute fight off the Hokianga coast.

Pakipaki vegetation fire prompts evacuations as Hawke’s Bay heat rises

Napier and Hastings remain on Level 3 water restrictions as heat and demand intensify.

Warm, wet summer: Climate outlook warns of hotter, muggier months ahead

An Earth Sciences meteorologist said there may be 'a lack of relief from the heat'.

Taste of the future: Teen chefs join Chelsea Winter at Avo Fest kitchen

The teens will cater for corporate guests and prep dish samples for crowds.