BusinessSevere El Nino on the cardsThis year's El Nino weather pattern is shaping up to be one of the strongest, if not the strongest, on record - bringing with it an elevated risk of drought.07 Sep 05:00 PM
New ZealandMore financial help for drought-affected farmersSupport for the drought-affected eastern South Island has been extended, and an extra $100,000 has been granted to help struggling farmers.14 Aug 01:29 AM
AgribusinessDays of easy water overThe controversial $275 million Ruataniwha water storage scheme in Hawkes Bay is a step closer after the High Court said no appeals had been lodged in the consent process.20 Jul 05:00 PM
BusinessAlmond prices start to look nuttyPeople have embraced the taste of almond products. The question now is whether they can stomach higher costs.11 Jul 02:00 AM
New ZealandAnother big, bad El Nino?Weather patterns suggest NZ could be in for another horror El Nino like that of 1997 and 1998, which resulted in a severe drought costing the country millions.01 Jul 01:36 AM
WorldFarmers forced to turn off tapsFarmers with rights to California water dating back more than a century face sharp cutbacks, the first reduction in their water use since 1977.13 Jun 05:00 PM
ManufacturingNestle bottled-water plan draws fight in drought-stricken OregonLawmakers and activists say a company shouldn't be allowed to profit from water as drought spreads across Oregon.29 May 11:55 PM
BDBDEconomyEl Ninos hit economic growth: IMF paperMajor El Nino events, which typically create extreme weather conditions, immediately sap New Zealand's economic growth and put downward pressure on inflation.08 May 05:00 PM
AgribusinessUS dry could support dairy pricesDrought conditions are biting into California's dairy production, which could end up being supportive for international dairy prices, say analysts.27 Apr 05:00 PM
BusinessCalifornia seeks salvation in desalinationDesalination projects are gaining resonance as drought-proof hydration solutions in parched California.11 Apr 02:00 AM
AgribusinessTrendy nut a hard one to crackIt takes a gallon (3.785 litres) of water to produce an almond, and almond growers use about 10 per cent of California's water supply every year.10 Apr 05:00 PM
WorldFlood of anger over dry tapsIn LA, where residents use an average of 265 litres of water a day, an academic study found that the most affluent neighbourhoods used up to three times more than others.10 Apr 05:00 PM
WorldCalifornians face up to water woesCalifornia is faced with a double whammy of high temperatures and low rainfall exacerbated by an atmospheric pattern that for three years straight has diverted winter storms away.05 Apr 05:00 PM
AgribusinessCyclone Pam brings relief for farmersCyclone Pam has come with a silver lining for many farmers, bringing much-needed rain to most parts of the North Island.17 Mar 04:00 PM
AgribusinessCo-ops need growth cashGrowing global market opportunities and the need to strengthen supply chains are creating a thirst for capital among agricultural co-operatives around the world, rural lending specialist Rabobank said.01 Mar 04:00 PM
CompaniesMeat prices drop on drought cullDrought in much of the country is helping to drive dairy prices higher, but farmgate prices for beef and sheepmeat are weakening.25 Feb 03:30 AM
AgribusinessDrought adds urgency to irrigation plansDrought throughout much of the South Island and dry conditions in parts of the North look set to add urgency to water storage and irrigation schemes.16 Feb 04:00 PM
New ZealandBig drought - whole nation at riskRain forecast for this week is unlikely to offset a soil-parching big dry that has put much of the country at serious fire risk and begun to hurt farmers in hot-spot areas.01 Feb 04:00 PM
New ZealandNo drought, but keeping a close eyeThe Government has no immediate plans to declare drought in areas of the country suffering from extremely dry conditions.20 Jan 05:52 AM
New ZealandTown runs out of water after alarm failsTaps ran dry in Martinborough last Friday after water reservoirs ran out and an alarm supposed to alert the council when supply is low, failed to go off.13 Jan 06:44 PM
WorldIs climate change destabilising Iraq?This winter was not a good one for farmers in the Fertile Crescent.29 Jun 02:48 AM
New ZealandDry-as, but it's not a droughtFarmers in the Waikato and parts of Northland say they are battling one of the driest summers in memory.01 Apr 03:15 PM
New ZealandDrought-stricken areas likely to get drier, climate scientist tells farmersFarmers living in areas that are increasingly becoming drought hot spots will have to prepare for drier times ahead, a climate scientist says.28 Mar 03:15 PM
AgribusinessWaikato struggles with dry conditionsParts of the Waikato are as dry or drier than during last year's severe drought.10 Mar 04:30 PM
WorldAustralia a 'burning, drying' continentAustralia continues to be the "burning, drying" continent, with a new report showing temperatures across the country are 1C warmer than they were a century ago.04 Mar 12:49 AM
Business2013 drought was worst since 1945This year's drought was one of New Zealand's most extreme and the worst in nearly 70 years, a study has revealed.25 Jul 06:48 AM
BusinessDrought takes toll on trade balanceDrought took its toll on the trade balance last month. Exports exceeded imports by $157 million, equivalent to 4 per cent of exports.24 May 05:30 PM
New ZealandLush autumn pastures bring smiles all roundThe rain is here and the grass is growing but some farmers will still be battling the effects of the worst drought in 30 years over the winter months.23 May 09:22 AM
WorldCruelty footage blow to Oz beef industryThe tiny Outback town of Richmond, 400km east of Mt Isa in northwest Queensland, celebrated its annual fossil festival last week.07 May 05:30 PM
