Rural
Wool, sweat and shears - Golden Shears underway in Masterton
The Golden Shears is underway in Masterton, and from early Thursday the War Memorial Stadium has been buzzing to the sound of shears, woolhandlers' brooms and the cranking of wool presses. Video, Audio
Australian winegrowers protest over plummeting returns
Many wine growers in Australia's largest wine region are in crisis mode due to plummeting prices for their grapes. Chris Archer works in the Australian and New Zealand wine industries and has been… Audio
On the Farm - a wrap of conditions on farms around the country
Kiwifruit are looking good in Hawkes Bay. Some flooded vines have died but generally recovery is better than expected. Conditions are very dry in Marlborough so many farmers are offloading stock due… Audio
Country Life For Friday 1 March 2024
Behind the scenes at the Golden Shears, a conservation project in the Marlborough Sounds, crisis among Australia's winegrowers and On the Farm Audio
20 year anniversary of Manawatu floods
Time now to head to the regions and today it's the turn of RNZ's Jimmy Ellingham (and occasional First Up host) from Palmerston North. Audio
Young farmer ready to challenge for top award
To Christchurch now where this Friday it's the Tasman Regional Final in the competition to find New Zealand's Young Farmer of the Year. And one of the young farmers having a crack at the contest is 21… Audio
Kiwifruit growers fight to retain use of chemical spray
The Environmental Protection Authority is holding public hearings this week in regards to its re-assessment of the use of hydrogen cyanamide.
Ireland, NZ zero-in on source of methane emissions
Both countries face national and market targets to reduce methane emissions - and aim to refine how they are calculated.
Close to 'record dry' conditions start to hit farmers
Conditions across Marlborough, Tasman and Nelson are the 'driest in years' say farmers - and are likely to get worse.
'He's a very good looking pig, that one!'
Rick Martin and Nairn Illingworth farm a drove of happy heritage pigs, and their bacon and porchetta butties have punters lining up at the farmers' market. Audio
Government gives $20,000 for Top of the South drought events
Farmers and growers across Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman are being encouraged to speak to their peers about how to manage drought-like conditions.
Sheafs, cabers and tartan on show at Turakina Highland Games
Tartan, bagpipes, sheafs and cabers were out in force at the Turakina Highland Games, billed as New Zealand's longest-running such event. They're into their 160th year. Video, Audio
'He's a very good looking pig, that one!'
Rick Martin and Nairn Illingworth farm a drove of happy heritage pigs on their small farm in Marlborough's Onamalutu Valley Audio
Truck driver takes to the water to reach farms
A large blue truck and trailer unit has become a common sight in the Marlborough Sounds as it's barged to farms to pick up and drop off livestock. Audio
Rural News Wrap
A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Sally Murphy. Audio
Country Life for Friday 23 February 2024
This week on Country Life, how stock are barged in and out by sea after roadways are blocked, a visit to the Turakina Highland Games, and a chat with heritage pig farmers in Marlborough. Audio
State-owned farming company drops quad bikes after deaths
State-owned farming company Pāmu has replaced quad bikes on all its farms across the country.
Remembering Cow 569, a hero of the 2004 floods
When major floods swept the lower North Island, Kim Riley didn't have the strength to swim to safety. Twenty years on, she still remembers Cow 569. Audio
Dairy prices hit 18-month high
International average dairy prices have reached their highest level since October 2022.