Stories by Alexa Cook
News
Keep kids away from sick calves - medical officer
Parents need to keep children away from sick calves, health authorities warn.
Gore milk plant attracts strong interest
A new infant formula plant near Gore has five times as many farmers trying to sign up than it needs.
Kiwifruit growers' PSA case against MPI begins
A group of growers is suing the Ministry for Primary Industries for negligence over the vine-killing disease's entry to the country in 2010.
Deer velvet price down 25 percent
Deer velvet prices dropped by up to 25 percent for the season just ended.
Mid-range option considered for Manuherikia water
A new option is on the table for a water scheme in central Otago.
Cow disease outbreak: Farmers push for answers
Farmers in a meeting about the cattle disease outbreak are pushing for answers from the government for what some say is a slow response to a serious disease.
Milk testing for tankers to stop cattle disease spread
Bulk milk tests will be done on tankers across the country to see if the cattle disease outbreak has spread any further than South Canterbury.
Test results due from infected cattle in Canterbury
Farmers in South Canterbury are nervously awaiting test results after a cattle disease outbreak was detected last week.
New cow disease: What we know about the outbreak
Mycoplasma bovis is on many farmers' minds and has the potential to hit dairy and beef sectors in the pocket, but what actually is this disease?
Call to kill all cows infected by new disease
MPI should immediately kill all the cows infected by a disease previously unseen in New Zealand, says a farmer from the district where the disease has put a farm in lockdown.
City doctors warned to be vigilant of leptospirosis
City doctors are being told they need to watch out for cases of the stock animal-related disease leptospirosis because it is becoming more common in urban areas.
Big spike in potentially deadly disease leptospirosis
Cases of the potentially deadly disease for the first six months of this year are triple those of last year, and may be linked to the flooding clean-up.
Genetic centre to boost agriculture
A new genetic centre in Waikato hopes to overcome what scientists say is a lack of research in quantitative genetics in New Zealand.
Taieri farmers face calving in floodwaters
A week out from calving, Taieri Plain farmers are having to contend with floodwaters that are continuing to rise and likely to remain for at least that long, a farmer and city councillor says. Audio
Kiwifruit contractors 'cashing in on labour shortage'
A Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower is angry at the industry and says not enough is being done to stop contractors capitalising on the shortage of workers.
Meat substitutes' rise a danger to NZ farmers - KPMG
New Zealand farmers could be under threat from a rise in plant-based products that mimic animal products such as burger patties, KPMG says.
New animal welfare regulations to be introduced
The Ministry for Primary Industries is developing nearly 50 new animal welfare regulations this year.
Half of audited kiwifruit companies underpaid workers
At least half of the kiwifruit contractors who have been audited in the Bay of Plenty have failed to provide employment contracts or pay the minimum wage, an MBIE investigation has found.
'Quietening off' in farm sales continues
Lower income levels are affecting farm sales, but the kiwifruit sector remains strong, a rural analyst says.
Southern dairy research centre opens
The $20 million Southern Dairy Hub near Invercargill has officially opened today.
Lambs and cows rescued from floodwaters
A Martinborough farmer with widespread flooding and land slips has spent the past 24 hours rescuing stock and has lost at least a handful of last season's lambs.
Russia warns dairy restrictions possible after butter tests
Russia is warning of a potential restriction on New Zealand dairy products after finding butter from this country tested positive twice for the antibiotic tetracycline.
Snow hits North Island farms: 'This is a really good dump'
An Ohakune farmer says this week's snow storm is the worst he's seen in at least ten years.
South Island farmers well prepared for snow
While the wintry blast is closing roads and causing delays across the country - farmers say they are well prepared for the first storm of winter.
Country-of-origin test for blood products launched
A Dunedin forensics company has launched a scientific test to verify the country of origin of high-value Fetal Bovine Serum.