News
Lambs on the ground but no grass to feed them
North Canterbury is still parched and, while there has been a good lambing season, there isn't enough feed, says a local farmer.
Cracker potential for NZ cheese exports
It's time for New Zealand to realise the export potential of its cheese market, a British industry veteran says.
Exports could be affected by horticulture worker shortage
New Zealand's exports could suffer if demand for horticulture workers isn't met, a primary industries training organisation says.
UMF defends manuka fraud reports
The UMF Honey Association says they have confidence in exporting manuka despite reports from the UK that the industry is riddled with fraud.
Kiwifruit windfall nearly doubles Seeka profit
Produce company Seeka has reported a whopping 92 percent lift in profit of $7.1 million for the first half of the year.
'You've still got the reservoir of bugs living in the pipes'
The chlorine used by the Hastings District Council to clear the town's water supply is useless, says a rural water expert.
Govt ponies up $12m for sheep milk
Growing demand for sheep milk products has prompted the government to invest $12 million into a new partnership with a Taupō-based company.
E coli test 'not thorough enough' for health
E coli water tests don't pick up all the bugs from animals and some could be slipping through the cracks, a Waikato veterinarian and ecologist says.
Lack of effluent monitoring threatens health - Fish and Game
The government is failing to manage the risk of farming to human health because there is no tool to manage effluent run-off from farms, Fish and Game says.
Monitoring tool gives false sense of security - ecologist
The government's nutrient-loss monitoring tool for farms needs to account for runoff that could contaminate waterways, a veterinarian says.
Thousands needed to fill primary industry jobs
The primary sector is turning to cities to promote jobs in the industry in an effort to create a more qualified workforce.
Police, beekeepers in anti-theft drive
New Zealand police have officially joined ranks with beekeepers to tackle beehive crime, as the soaring price of manuka honey leads to more thefts.
'Biggest ever' avocado crop predicted
Good news for avocado lovers: the season is under way, and volumes are expected to hit a record high.
Round Up report 'not thorough enough'
A common herbicide should not be cleared for use because the recent safety review by the government was fundamentally flawed, says GE Free NZ.
Glass half full for dairy after price lift
Farmers could finally have break-even milk prices this season, a dairy analyst says. Audio
Supermarket launches free range egg programme
A new programme to support free range and barn eggs has been launched at Countdown supermarkets after a call for it to go completely free range.
Moth move could curb stinking horehound
A high country sheep farmer wants the government to introduce two types of moth to help control a putrid-smelling lucerne crop weed.
Top risks for world's pollinators named
An international study has narrowed down the biggest risks for pollinators, with the hope of preventing further threats to global food production.
Banks should pass on OCR cuts - farmers
Federated Farmers says banks should pass on the Reserve Bank's cuts, because it is not in their best interests to have farms topple over and impact negatively on their books.
NZ's bee population is buzzing - industry
New Zealand's honey bee population is growing rapidly, says Apiculture NZ - despite a study which says it's declining.
Association backs 'thorough' manuka honey classification
The UMF Honey Association says it can now classify what is genuine manuka honey, which it believes is a world first.
Dairy downturn, plant repairs hit Ballance payout
Fertiliser company Ballance has more than halved its farmer rebate and is distributing $46 million less than last year.
Pea growers may be compensated for ban
Pea growers could be compensated for the government's ban on pea growing and distribution after a pea weevil was found in the Wairarapa.
Celebrating home-grown porky perfection
The New Zealand Pork Awards in Christchurch last night celebrated turning 100 percent New Zealand grown pork into bacon, ham and pork products.
UK milk production drops 10% in a year
Low milk prices and plummeting milk production are forcing many UK dairy farmers out of the industry, an analyst says.