Westpac says developing El Niño conditions could hit pasture-based farming hard, especially dairy, sheep and beef.
New Zealand
Mon, Sep 14
The current El Niño is expected to bring a warm, dry and windy spring for many parts of the country – putting pressure on crops, pasture and water supplies.
Thu, Sep 3
David Church was convicted on five animal welfare charges after inspectors found cattle in severe pain, with four needing to be put down.
Crime and Justice
Wed, Sep 2
Up until now rural New Zealanders have often been unable to use the first-home withdrawal because of a typical housing arrangement on the farm where they are working.
NZ First deputy leader takes aim at the horticultural sector as well as the India Free Trade Agreement and council mergers at a Wellington meeting.
Politics
Mon, Aug 31
Global wine sales are down but there is some hope NZ's industry can soon benefit from the newly signed Indian free trade agreement.
Business
Thu, Aug 27
Alison White delivered five lambs on a freezing night in Pigeon Valley, pulling the final lamb from deep inside the ewe after thinking she had already delivered four.
Fri, Aug 21
Energy giant Meridian has consent to build 230,000 solar panels in Morrinsville, and sheep will be grazing under and between panels to maximise land productivity.
Environment
Wed, Aug 5
At 180,787 hectares, Molesworth is slightly larger than Rakiura/Stewart Island and bigger than 10 of New Zealand’s national parks.
Fri, Jul 31
Mark Dillon and teammate Malcolm Taylor were due to travel to Croatia for the top competition in September — but now face uncertainty with their gear stuck at sea.
Fri, Jul 10
Bird flu will be on the agenda when Andrew Hoggard meets with Australia’s Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Anthony Chisolm, on Wednesday,
Mon, Jun 29
A Gisborne bull has become the most expensive ever sold in Australasia, eclipsing a benchmark set days earlier as breeders continue to pay top dollar for elite genetics.
Mon, Jun 22
Wool auction manager says the demand for East Coast wool is "defying gravity" due to global shortages combined with increased demand.
Wed, Jun 17
As temperatures rise, New Zealand’s dairy farmers face a growing challenge: keeping cows cool enough to remain productive.
Life
Mon, Jun 15
"When they told me my dog had been reported for sheep worrying, I couldn’t believe it."
World
Fri, Jun 12
The re-emergence of screwworm, thought to be eradicated, has struck fear into the United States' cattle industry.
Health
Wed, Jun 10
The proposed new visa would supply year-round farm labour, restrict workers to rural jobs, and offer a residence pathway after six years.
Tue, Jun 9
The organisation has released a new 25-point election policy priority manifesto, titled Backing Kiwi Farmers, which it said was for any party.
Sun, Jun 7
Mark Warren reckons it’s time for a conversation about allowing skilled and properly equipped locals to help clear debris and reopen roads after severe weather events.
Thu, Jun 4
A dairy farm owner and contract milker have been found guilty of unlawfully discharging dairy shed effluent and stock feed leachate into the environment.
Fri, May 22
One Canterbury farming advocate warns there may be no future in crop farming, as more arable farmers leave the sector.
Thu, May 21
McCain has announced closing the Hastings operation but local farmers believe something can be salvaged.
The flood-damaged Great Taste Trail is proposed to be reinstated along a paper road that runs through several Tasman farms – to the dismay of farmers.
Tue, May 19
Disturbing footage shared by farmers in several parts of Australia showed swarms of the vermin scurrying around silos and across crops.
Tue, Apr 28
A Hawke's Bay farmer has been sentenced to home detention after hundreds of his sheep were starved or had severe flystrike and parasite problems.
Thu, Apr 23
