Farming
Weathering the 'worst drought in 50 years' as an organic dairy farmer
Moving to once-a-day milking has helped Janet Fleming through Taranaki's recent drought.
Country Life for 11 April 2025
This week on Country Life the team take a walk on the wild side with a herd of water buffalo in Clevedon, check out a botanical growing trial in Taranaki and visit a Runaka-owned and operated native… Audio
Rural News Wrap for 11 April 2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Audio
Clevedon - where the water buffalo roam
Clevedon couple Richard and Helen Dorresteyn were the first to farm water buffalo in New Zealand.
'We've become a $10 million business and it doesn't feel like we're overrun'
Phil Moeke is the manager of Te Kōhaka o Tāne (The Nest of Tānemahuta), a commercial nursery in Invercargill that has grown over 800,000 native trees and plants since it opened in 2022.
Wood, hemp sectors want to join wool in new government construction rules
Other sectors are disappointed they have so far missed out on the government's boost for the wool sector.
Mr Plough
Last weekend, Southland crop farmer Mark Dillon won his fourth New Zealand conventional ploughing title at the NZ Ploughing Championships. Audio
A win for farmers: Wool to be used in new government builds and renovations
Today's government announcement mandating the use of woolen fibres in some new government builds and renovations is cause for celebration in an embattled industry. Audio
NZ's largest farm clear of bovine tuberculosis
New Zealand's largest working farm, Molesworth Station, has declared its cattle free of bovine tuberculosis for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Farmer sentenced to ban, community detention for neglecting sheep
Inspectors found 25 sheep and several newborn lambs recently dead on the Tararua property.
Farmers warned taxes for greenhouse gas emissions likely
Experts are warning farmers that taxes on greenhouse gas emissions are likely to be coming for agricultural exports. Climate change correspondent Eloise Gibson explains. Audio
Call for PM to step in over minister’s carbon trading conflict of interest
Minister Mark Patterson was the director of a farming and forestry company, while participating in decisions about carbon market settings.
Our Environment report gives update on NZ environment
The latest update on New Zealand's environment shows people can breathe a little easier, but a substantial proportion of groundwater is failing drinking standards. Eloise Gibson spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio
