Rural and farming news
Gap between people and sheep rapidly closing in NZ
There are now about 4.5 sheep to every person in New Zealand; there used to be 22.
'Intense rainfall': North Island's thunderstorm threat; heavy rain, winds battering south
A bunch of new alerts have been issued as wild weather hits the north tomorrow.
Farmers gather for insights on land use and emissions trading
About 140 people attended the field day at Tutumatai Station near Ruatōria.
'Exceptional': March a record month for NZ red meat exports
'We saw some increase in volumes, year on year, but a much larger increase in value.'
Persistency pays off on opening weekend of duck shooting season
Three shotguns seized for gun magazine and lead shot offences.
Oldest living All Black Bill McCaw dies
Bill McCaw played five tests and 27 games for the All Blacks.
Dairy farming
Spilled milk: Fonterra tanker rolls in Arapuni
The road is blocked. One person received minor injuries.
Gap between people and sheep rapidly closing in NZ
There are now about 4.5 sheep to every person in New Zealand; there used to be 22.
Fonterra powers ahead with new electrode boiler at Edendale site
The upgrades will cut emissions by 72,800 tonnes, the equivalent of removing 30,000 cars.
The Country Radio Show
The Country: Feds update with Wayne Langford
Wayne Langford, Hayden Dillon, Karen Morrish, Chris Russell, and Pete Barnes.
The Country: Fonterra’s Matt Bolger on an impressive GDT result
Christopher Luxon, Matt Bolger, Kate Acland, Wayne McNee, and Jen Corkran.
Moon cakes and milk tea: How Fonterra adapts cream cheese for the Asian market
Sponsored content: Demand for cream cheese has increased in Fonterra's Asian markets.
Premium
Up in Smoke: Why NZ's medical cannabis industry is struggling to make ends meet
After tragic cases, a new industry touted as a potential saviour has run into roadblocks.
Two more Hawke’s Bay farms sold to overseas buyers for forestry
Three CHB farms have sold in quick succession to overseas buyers for forestry conversion.
Bega Group claims to be left out of Fonterra consumer business sale
Billionaire Twiggy Forrest is the largest shareholder of the Aussie dairy company.
Stock Takes: Rain not enough to stop dry weather from hurting NZ power company earnings
Mercury, Meridian and Manawa are likely to be hit hardest by the earlier drought.
Paddock to Pantry to triple range with new warehouse, second store
The online supermarket is pitching itself as a real alternative to the big players.
'Opens the river': 1889 rabbit weir removed for fish passage
Built to slow a rabbit plague, the weir was removed but a 3D digital version will remain.
Horticulture
Haumako's innovation transforms Wairoa into horticultural hub
Haumako is leading Wairoa's shift to high-tech horticulture with Envy apples.
Up in Smoke: Why NZ's medical cannabis industry is struggling to make ends meet
After tragic cases, a new industry touted as a potential saviour has run into roadblocks.
Sheep and beef
Gap between people and sheep rapidly closing in NZ
There are now about 4.5 sheep to every person in New Zealand; there used to be 22.
Farmers gather for insights on land use and emissions trading
About 140 people attended the field day at Tutumatai Station near Ruatōria.
'Exceptional': March a record month for NZ red meat exports
'We saw some increase in volumes, year on year, but a much larger increase in value.'
Technology
Solar panels slash farmer's power bills
Malcolm Jones' milking shed is entirely solar-powered, comprising 380 panels.
Methane emissions: Promising results in GM ryegrass trial
Scientists working on HME ryegrass programme encouraged by the results from the trial.
Rural business
Fonterra powers ahead with new electrode boiler at Edendale site
The upgrades will cut emissions by 72,800 tonnes, the equivalent of removing 30,000 cars.
'Exceptional': March a record month for NZ red meat exports
'We saw some increase in volumes, year on year, but a much larger increase in value.'
Strong dairy demand, fierce bidding push up GDT prices
Whole milk powder is up 4.6%, the highest since April 2022.
Rural life
'Patience, patience, patience': Farrier's secret to mastering the trade
John Hawthorne has been a farrier for nearly three decades in Gisborne.
'Confronting': Contract milkers' survey reveals financial, mental health issues
Sharefarming Consultants, which took the survey, said the results were “disappointing".
'Very sad': Why boutique dairy company is closing its doors after 15 years
'I feel it's a tragedy because the brand is about improving the outcome for the planet.'