- Government allows butchers to process pork for wholesale only
The government is loosening some restrictions on independent butchers.
- 2 days ago, 2 Apr 20, 7:23am - - Pork industry warns of animal welfare issues during lockdown
The pork industry is worried the closure of independent butchers during the Covid-19 lockdown will cause an animal welfare crisis for the sector.
- 3 days ago, 1 Apr 20, 2:48am - - Berry grower fined over employment breaches
A Waikato berry grower has been ordered to pay over $76,000 for employment law breaches.
- 5 days ago, 29 Mar 20, 11:33pm - - Covid-19: Fruit industry facing hurdles with harvest due to restrictions
The kiwifruit industry is fighting for survival as it tries to pick and pack the season's crop while enforcing Covid-19 restrictions.
- 6 days ago, 29 Mar 20, 5:45pm - - Wine industry faces worker accommodation woes during lockdown
The wine industry is facing criticism for continuing harvest during the Covid-19 lockdown, and is facing problems with worker accommodation.
- 9 days ago, 26 Mar 20, 12:37am - - Coronavirus: Panic buying of vegetable seedlings at garden centres
Garden supplies and vegetable seedlings are the latest target for panic buying and people in isolation keeping busy, as concerns about the Covid-19 coronavirus grow.
- 15 days ago, 20 Mar 20, 12:46am - - Dairy farm sales low but recovering
New figures from the Real Estate Institute show dairy farm sales remain slow, with only one dairy farm changing hands in Canterbury in the last nine months.
- 15 days ago, 19 Mar 20, 10:05pm - - Synlait Milk's first half profit drops 30 percent
The dairy company's net profit for the six months ended January was $26.2 million, compared with $37.3 million the year before.
- 16 days ago, 18 Mar 20, 9:30pm - - Global dairy prices drop amid coronavirus disruption
Prices fell to their lowest level in more than a year in the global dairy auction as the Covid-19 pandemic seemed to disrupt buying.
- 17 days ago, 17 Mar 20, 7:05pm - - Fieldays postponed, other options being considered
This year's National Agricultral Fieldays has been postponed, due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
- 18 days ago, 17 Mar 20, 1:17am - - 'Mystical product' casts a spell on Marlborough wine student
A Marlborough wine maker is close to gaining one of the world's highest qualifications in wine.
- 19 days ago, 16 Mar 20, 2:50am - - Coronavirus: Further strain on fruit picking labour shortages
The kiwifruit and apple industries are looking for New Zealanders to help fill labour shortages for this season's harvest, caused in part by the Covid-19 outbreak.
- 19 days ago, 15 Mar 20, 11:38pm - - Cowpats, cabers and clouds of soot in showcase of country life
Thousands descended on Palmerston North over the weekend to witness cowpat throwing, hay bale stacking and sheep shearing.
- 19 days ago, 15 Mar 20, 9:41pm - - Shortcomings in New Zealand's plant-based protein strategy, report says
A new report has found New Zealand needs to speed up its response to growing consumer demand for alternative plant-based proteins.
- 21 days ago, 14 Mar 20, 7:35am - - Drought, Covid-19 expected to slow primary sector export revenue
MPI's latest outlook report forecasts is $1.3 billion lower than the previous and further downaward revisions are likely.
- 23 days ago, 12 Mar 20, 3:26am - - Drought for North Island, Chatham Islands, part of South unlocks $2m relief funding
The entire North Island, parts of the South Island and the Chatham Islands have been declared as being in drought by Agriculture Minister.
- 23 days ago, 11 Mar 20, 8:35pm - - Million-dollar food and fiber project aims to boost Taranaki economy
A new project aimed at boosting Taranaki's food and fibre industry has been launched today by Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor.
- 24 days ago, 11 Mar 20, 5:23am - - Parched conditions in Hawke's Bay hitting hard amid calls for drought declaration
The region's farmers and leaders are urging the government to declare a drought as parts of the region experience the driest period on record.
- 24 days ago, 11 Mar 20, 5:22am - - Wider North Island drought declarations expected as Monday's rainfall not enough
Despite rain today, farmers continue to struggle with water shortages, and the agriculture minister says it's likely further drought conditions will be declared.
- 26 days ago, 9 Mar 20, 6:53am - - Drought conditions in several North Island regions amount to 'medium-scale adverse event'
The Agriculture Minister has declared the drought conditions in the Gisborne, Manawatū, Rangitikei, and Tararua districts as a medium-scale adverse event.
- 29 days ago, 6 Mar 20, 2:31am -
- The Golden Shears: Woolly sheep bring sheer excitement to competitors
The country's best shearers are gearing up for a busy day of finals today at The Golden Shears in Masterton.
- 29 days ago, 5 Mar 20, 6:35pm - - Drought-hit Northland farmers ask for financial support
Some farmers in Northland are starting to come forward for financial assistance as a drought in the region continues.
- 30 days ago, 5 Mar 20, 3:36am - - M bovis research to look at milk yield impact
The Ministry for Primary Industries is commissioning new research into the impacts of Mycoplasma bovis on cattle in New Zealand.
- 30 days ago, 5 Mar 20, 1:15am - - Analysts surprised by size of drop in dairy price
The 1.2 percent drop in prices at last night's Global Dairy Trade auction was less than what many analysts thought it would be.
- 31 days ago, 4 Mar 20, 12:24am - - South Canterbury hailstorm cost passes $83m
Last November's hailstorm in and around Timaru was the third most costly this century, initial figures from the Insurance Council show.
- 32 days ago, 3 Mar 20, 12:46am - - Proposed conservation law will penalise those most progressive, say farmers
A group of farmers say proposed laws around preserving native flora and fauna on their land will penalise those that have already done the most to look after it.
- 32 days ago, 2 Mar 20, 8:07pm - - Dairy farmers dealing with drought: Animals and people doing it tough
Clevedon dairy farmers say the drought currently gripping the upper North Island is the worst they have ever seen.
- 35 days ago, 28 Feb 20, 8:08pm - - Cyber attack hits wool industry, affecting internationally used software
Cyber attack hits wool industry, affecting software used widely across NZ, Australia and South Africa
- 36 days ago, 28 Feb 20, 1:42am - - Fonterra reaffirms farmgate milk price forecast
The dairy co-op said it decided to maintain its current forecast range of $7-$7.60 per kilogram of milk solids, despite the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
- 37 days ago, 26 Feb 20, 11:55pm - - Comvita posts $13m half year loss
The honey producer's chairperson Brett Hewlett said its half year loss of $13 million was disappointing, but is optimistic the results would rebound in 2021.
- 37 days ago, 26 Feb 20, 11:02pm - - New fund for farmers struggling financially now running
Farmers who qualify for the fund will receive up to $3000 that will go towards business advice to help relieve financial pressure.
- 38 days ago, 25 Feb 20, 10:19pm - - Covid-19: NZX falls on open amid virus fears
The New Zealand stock exchange has fallen more than 2 percent on the opening, following drops in global stock markets amid coronavirus fears.
- 39 days ago, 24 Feb 20, 9:50pm - - Extra $25 million cost for dam construction not stopping Tasman council going ahead
The Tasman District mayor is vowing to press on with a large irrigation project, despite a 25 percent jump in its cost.
- 39 days ago, 24 Feb 20, 6:33pm - - Dry conditions test North Canterbury farmers
Extremely dry conditions across coastal Hurunui and southern Kaik�ura are challenging farmers.
- 40 days ago, 24 Feb 20, 12:23am - - Southland whitebaiter not happy with 'chick scientists'
Plans to regulate whitebaiting have been influenced by "chick scientists" who seem to think whitebaiters should fish in their jandals, a Southland Fish & Game councillor and whitebaiter says.
- 40 days ago, 23 Feb 20, 11:21pm - - Marlborough winemaker creates alcohol-free Sauvignon Blanc
Giesen wines says its the world's first alcohol-removed Sauvignon Blanc.
- 43 days ago, 21 Feb 20, 3:20am - - Fonterra helps transport water to drought-hit Far North towns
The dairy co-operative's tankers are heading to Far North towns with water and returning with milk collected from nearby farms.
- 43 days ago, 20 Feb 20, 11:13pm - - Heat and coronavirus putting pressure on meat industry
Meat processor Silver Fern Farms says trade disruptions in China, combined with dry conditions across New Zealand, have created a perfect storm for the sector.
- 44 days ago, 20 Feb 20, 3:56am - - Dairy farm sales slump and median farm price drops
Compliance costs, labour shortages and tightening credit contributed to a fall in dairy farm sales, a Real Estate Institute spokesperson said.
- 44 days ago, 19 Feb 20, 9:48pm - - LIC makes $109m bid for similar agri tech business in Israel
A cutting-edge agri tech company in New Zealand wants to buy global brand Afimilk.
- 45 days ago, 18 Feb 20, 11:39pm - - Wild rabbit sellers say cost of audits driving them out of business
Those trying to make a living from selling wild rabbits to restaurants and for pet food say they are being driven out of business by high compliance costs.
- 45 days ago, 18 Feb 20, 11:16pm - - Dairy prices fall as coronavirus outbreak takes toll on trade
The average price at the overnight auction fell by almost 3 percent to $US3176 a tonne, after a 4.7 percent fall two weeks ago.
- 45 days ago, 18 Feb 20, 10:46pm - - Pea weevil eradication believed to be world first
The pea weevil has been declared eradicated four years after it was first discovered in the Wairarapa, in what is thought to be a world first.
- 46 days ago, 17 Feb 20, 10:28pm - - Ministry for Primary Industry's raw milk raids still rub farmer the wrong way
It's a familiar tale of small town New Zealand versus a government rulebook, and both of them refusing to blink. And all for a bit of raw milk.
- 46 days ago, 17 Feb 20, 10:14pm - - Vineyard trialling native plants as herbicide alternative
A commercial vineyard is investigating planting native plants and cover crops under vines as an alternative to spraying herbicides on the area.
- 47 days ago, 17 Feb 20, 2:22am - - The Garden of Eatin
Country Life: Ross Nolly is a former butcher turned writer and photographer who, among other things, farms maggots on his property near Stratford in Taranaki.
- 49 days ago, 14 Feb 20, 7:30pm - - Farmers in Waikato hope for rain as extreme dry takes hold
Farmers in parts of Waikato are looking skyward hoping at least 100 millimetres of rain will fall within the next fortnight as an extreme dry takes hold in the region.
- 51 days ago, 12 Feb 20, 10:17pm - - Southern Field Days expected to draw 40,000 despite floods
Despite recent flooding, farmers are expected to flock to Southern Field Days starting at Waimumu near Gore today.
- 52 days ago, 12 Feb 20, 6:21am - - China bound: Forestry companies restart log harvesting
The Forest Owners Association says despite a significant slump in prices, logs bound for China are starting to be harvested again by many large forestry companies.
- 52 days ago, 12 Feb 20, 5:33am - - Some weather events 'impossible to plan for' - Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor
Damien O'Connor is confident Northland farmers and growers will survive a record-breaking drought.
- 52 days ago, 11 Feb 20, 11:27pm - - Northland drought conditions classified 'adverse event' by government
The drought conditions in Northland have been classified as an "adverse event" for the primary sector, meaning government funding can be accessed to help out farmers.
- 53 days ago, 11 Feb 20, 4:21am - - 'Help these Southland people out': Food drive organised for flood-hit farmers
It's estimated hundreds of farms in Southland have been affected by recent flooding. It's expected to take months to recover and a food drive's being organised to help out.
- 53 days ago, 11 Feb 20, 3:56am - - Southland floods: Call for 'farmy army' to help clean-up farms
Volunteers are being called upon to join a 'farmy army' to help desperate farmers in their clean-up efforts in the flood-stricken Gore and Mataura.
- 56 days ago, 7 Feb 20, 10:41pm - - Dairy NZ says flooding causing a dire situation for farmers
More than 100 Southland farms have been seriously impacted by flooding.
- 59 days ago, 5 Feb 20, 2:46am - - Crayfish to be returned to ocean after China cancels orders
A huge haul of crayfish could be released back into the ocean because China cancelled orders amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
- 59 days ago, 5 Feb 20, 1:55am - - Fonterra to stop using coal at Te Awamutu dairy plant
Fonterra will stop using coal to fuel the milk processing boiler at its Te Awamutu dairy plant next season.
- 65 days ago, 29 Jan 20, 8:59pm - - Waikato farmers 'prepared' for dry spell but some crops suffering
Farmers in Waikato and South Auckland are increasingly worried by the drought-like conditions.
- 66 days ago, 29 Jan 20, 5:42am - - Cherry growers hit by second tough season in a row
Central Otago cherry growers' yields were about half the normal size this season due to poor weather conditions.
- 67 days ago, 28 Jan 20, 2:55am - - 'Corporate farms are almost as bad as Communism' - veteran farmer
The times are a-changing for a Southland farming family after more than a century of owning the same sheep farm.
- 67 days ago, 28 Jan 20, 1:40am - - Synlait increases forecast milk payout
The dairy company has increased its forecast payout for the current production of milk solids to $7.25 a kilogram, up from $7.
- 68 days ago, 26 Jan 20, 10:02pm -
