Stories by Alexa Cook

One asparagus grower has had to lay off nearly half of his staff after a wet and cold spring affected the quality and production of produce this season.

The Chinese have disappeared from the wool market, leaving producers and companies worried about sinking prices, a broker says.

Rural insurance company FMG has received about 700 insurance claims from 500 businesses.

Dairy farmers in Kaikōura have had their milk picked up this morning for the first time since the 7.8 earthquake three weeks weeks ago.

The first of 10 Landcorp farms for sale will probably go to New Zealanders, the real estate company handling the sale says.

A dairy farmer who supplies Westland Milk Products says Canterbury suppliers might jump ship because the co-operative is not paying enough.

New emergency earthquake legislation will allow farmers to get on with patching up their farms without worrying about red tape.

A new research project aims to condition ewes and lambs to have higher levels of omega-3 fat.

Kaikōura farmers whose land has widespread damage are having to rely on water delivery from local fire trucks.

A farming group is using planes and helicopters to drop supplies to remote farms cut off by road by last week's earthquake, saying authorities have been frustratingly slow.

Keeping communication channels open has been a real problem for rural areas hit by last week's quake, says Federated Farmers.

A group of young farmers are out in force to help rural communities cut-off by Monday's massive earthquake.

Farmers cut off by Monday's earthquake are frustrated that helicopters have been flying over them without stopping.

Monday's quake has hit the rural community hard, leaving farmers without power and affecting vineyards in the busy bottling period.

Alliance Group - the country's largest sheep meat processor and exporter - has annouced an annual pre-tax profit of $10.1 million, and will pay $9.8m in divdends to its farmer shareholders.

Shearing legend Sir David Fagan has teamed up with WorkSafe to get farmers and shearers looking out for risks on the job.

Rural areas will turn into the 'wild west' if people don't remain vigilant in reporting thefts, says a farmer who's had 50 lambs stolen.

A farming couple's wedding savings are gone after the theft of 55 Friesian bull calves worth $24,000 from a North Canterbury property.

Beef and Lamb New Zealand is predicting farmers' income will drop 13 percent to an average of $67,000 this season.

The dairy industry's value to the economy has nearly halved since milk prices boomed in the 2013/14 season, new figures show.

Public suspicion and red tape is discouraging Chinese investment in New Zealand, a Shanghai Pengxin boss says.

Outrage over hidden-camera footage of the treatment of bobby calves illustrates many people's disconnect with farming life, Federated Farmers says.

Agricultural training school Taratahi is in talks to partner with Chinese dairy firm, Mengniu Dairy Company.

Farm sales across the country are on the rise as farmers buy up their neighbours' properties, new figures show.

Fonterra is still struggling to provide calf milk powder and calf rearers are desperate, says a rural animal feed store.