Rural
Low-cost posts for farms and no landfill charges for vineyards
A start-up in Marlborough is busy repurposing damaged vineyard posts, that were used to hold up the canopy, into sustainable posts for farm fencing. Audio
A taste of the future of dairy
Justin Gregory tries Daisy Lab's prototype precision-fermented products, which aim to have the texture and mouthfeel of dairy product, but are made without input from a cow. Audio
A wrap of the week's rural news
A declaration of drought for Otago and Canterbury unlocking new funding support for struggling farmers. Audio
Country Life for Friday 22 March 2024
This week Country Life takes you to an Auckland lab making cheese without the need for a cow, and a start-up in Marlborough which is busy recycling damaged vineyard posts into low cost posts for farm… Audio
Kaimanawa horses adoptions threatened by cost of living
The cost of living could see fewer people take home horses from the Kaimanawa Horse Muster this year, an advocate says.
Interest in agriculture drives sharp rise in enrolments
"Lincoln's education and research programmes are leading positive and impactful change in the land-based sectors," its vice-chancellor says.
Rural NZers more likely to drink alcohol wastewater sampling finds
Wastewater sampling has found New Zealanders living in less populated areas are more likely to drink alcohol than those in bigger towns or cities.
South Islanders consumed more booze than the North… Audio
It might be a drought - but it's part of a 'perfect storm' facing farmers
Farmers are a resilient bunch, but the conditions they're facing are out of the ordinary, the Agriculture Minister says.
Farmers in top of South Island still facing extremely dry conditions
Many farmers across the top of the South Island are still facing extremely dry conditions, with no significant rain on the horizon. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay met with farmers in South… Audio
Live export ban petition passes 20,000 signatures
A lobby group is spending $1 million to make sure the ban is overturned, and animal rights campaigners are fighting back.
From woolshed to bed - two sisters spin their homeware dreams
How did two sisters design throws and blankets using lambs wool from the family farm? Kate Cullwick and Prue Watson share the secret to their Foxtrot Home business success and why it's essential to… Audio
Young fruit growers climb the hort ladder
Kaahu Birdling and Jordan Popata are supervisors at Thomas Brothers Orchard in Riwaka. They manage their own teams and are embracing every opportunity to learn about leadership and orchard management.
…Country Life for Friday 15 March 2024
From woolshed to bed - two sisters spin their homeware dreams, Young fruit growers climb the hort ladder, A blast from the past - Mustering in Marlborough and a wrap of the week's rural news Audio
A wrap of the week's rural news
More government support will be heading the way of farmers and growers in the Marlborough, Tasman and Nelson districts where an intense dry spell has been labelled a medium-scale adverse event. Audio
Farmer confidence 'still in the gutter'
Federated Farmers says it is good to see an improvement in confidence, but it is coming from the "lowest base we've ever had".
'No turning back' - horse-trekking from Bluff to Picton
Karolin van Onna had been talking about horse trekking the length of the South Island for years and last summer she finally did it. Audio
"Fresh ideas, younger muscles" - taking on the family farm
Sarah Maxwell switches from inseminating cows in the morning to shifting cows and sheep in the afternoon, working at the local sale yards and more besides. Audio
'No turning back' - From Bluff to Picton on horseback
Karolin van Onna and her friend had dreamt about horse trekking the length of the South Island for years - and last summer they finally did it. Video, Audio
Country Life for Friday 8 March 2024
'Give us a break!' say surfing farmers, a back country dream comes true on horseback, Sarah Maxwell's farming journey and a wrap of the week's rural news. Audio
A wrap of the week's rural news
A chat about the top stories this week from RNZ's rural news team with Susan Murray in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Audio