Stories by Alexa Cook
News
Venison exporters hit by drop in British pound
Venison exporters have been hit in the pocket by a drop in the British pound.
Dairy industry changes risk harming farmers - consultant
"At the moment ... farmers [choose] Fonterra, but once we start to go down this track, it's Fonterra choosing farmers."
Lift in farmer mood at Central District Fieldays
Farmers' mood at the Central Districts Fieldays is much more optimistic than last year because of a more promising dairy outlook, International tractor company Case IH says.
Govt announces $2m funding for primary sector
The Ministry for Primary Industries has announced over $2 million worth of funding for the agricultural sector at the Central Districts Fieldays today.
Farm sales off to slow start
Thirty-eight fewer farms were sold in the past three months than the same period a year ago.
Dairy growth and emission reduction possible, farmers say
Farmers say growing the dairy industry and reducing agriculture's environmental footprint is achievable, despite the Ministry for the Environment saying otherwise.
East Coast deluge threatens grape harvest
Wet weather is jeopardising this year's grape crop, Gisborne winegrowers say.
Sheep milking progressing in 'heartland' farming
Interest in sheep milking is increasing, but farmers are wary of any sudden influx of new participants into the industry.
Rural Games kick off with the 'running of the wools'
The Hilux Rural Games have descended on Manawatu for the first time in the event's history, kicking off with 1000 sheep making a 500m dash down Feilding's main street. Video
More than 100 Waikato dairy farms found to be 'high risk' for effluent spills
It is disappointing some dairy farmers still don't have adequate effluent systems for their herd numbers, the Waikato Regional Council says.
Rural women 'backbone of the economy'
It's International Women's Day and New Zealanders should pay tribute to rural women because they are essentially the backbone of the economy, says the Rural Health Alliance.
Smith wins fourth Golden Shears Open title
Hawkes's Bay shearer Rowland Smith had a clean sweep of wins at this year's Golden Shears competition in Masterton.
Wool export value drops 25% coming into 2017
A new report shows that the export value of wool from December to January dropped by 25 percent, and in the past six months it has fallen 10 percent.
NZ meat to return to Iran under new agreement
Sheep and beef meat could be shipped to Iran in the next month under a new agreement, says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.
Alcohol as big an issue as drugs among workers, dairy industry says
Drug use among dairy farm workers is a problem, but alcohol abuse is just as big an issue, Federated Farmers says.
Health and safety strangling trucking industry - drivers
Work safety rules are strangling the trucking industry and contributing to a huge shortage of drivers, veteran truckers say.
Young NZers chase endless shearing season
NZ's declining number of sheep and changes in weather patterns are driving more shearers to chase work around the globe.
Maize crops 'worst in 30 years'
Farmers in drought-hit Northland battling with a shortage of stock feed are also experiencing the worst maize harvest in 30 years.
Hawke's Bay farmers make most of appetite for organics
Step aside kale, make way salted caramel - a Hawke's Bay cheesemaker is pushing organic sheep-milk cheese as the next big thing for upmarket diners. Audio
Dairy sector contributes 3.5% to GDP - report
A new report into the economic contribution from dairy trade shows that the dairy sector contributes $7.8 billion, or 3.5 percent, to New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product.
Comvita blames bad honey crop for $7.1m half year loss
The country's largest honey products maker is blaming the loss on a drop in sales to China and a bad honey crop.
AgResearch and China plan joint research centre
AgResearch is planning to form a joint research centre with China's largest state-owned food company, and says it will protect New Zealand's intellectual property.
He's goat your back
A new study has found that goats can link visual and audio cues to identify if another goat is a friend or not.
Pest problems continue to plague native ecosystems - study
There are almost two new pest invasions every day somewhere around the world, a new study reveals.
National Lamb Day celebrates NZ exports
It is National Lamb Day in New Zealand, marking 135 years since the first export of sheep meat.