Stories by Alexa Cook
News
Rural midwife crisis 'unfair' for pregnant women
The number of rural birthing units being closed or downgraded has reached crisis point, Rural Women New Zealand says.
Mānuka battle: Federal funding for Australian campaign
The NZ mānuka honey industry is baffled that the Australian government is funding a new international mānuka marketing campaign.
Alarming rise in potentially fatal disease leptospirosis
New figures reveal that cases of the potentially deadly disease leptospirosis are two-and-a-half times higher than the four-year average.
Kumara worries: Growers battle wet weather
Northland kumara growers are battling with an extremely wet summer and say there could soon be crop losses if it doesn't dry up.
Dairy farmers struggle to find workers
Dairy farmers are struggling to find workers for lower skilled jobs because of changes with immigration laws and farm ownership, says a rural business advisor.
Warm summer causes food shortages, eczema
The warm and lingering summer weather has left some Rangitikei farmers struggling with feed shortages and stock suffering from facial eczema.
Female jockeys: 'There is no room to be soft'
The number of female jockeys in New Zealand is steadily rising, and expected to overtake the number of male jockeys.
TPP will have immediate benefits - Beef + Lamb NZ
The signing of the revised Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal is expected to lead to immediate benefits for farmers and exporters here.
Mycoplasma Bovis disease spreads to another farm
Another farm has been infected with the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis.
M. bovis fears surround upcoming Gypsy Day
A Southland vet says farmers in the region are worried about the spread of the cattle disease when dairy herds are moved around on the upcoming Gypsy Day.
Oxford research director calls for NZ farming sustainability
New Zealand agriculture needs to become more sustainable to catch up with its clean, green, unspoiled image overseas, the head of a UK research centre says.
'No one wants to see honey bees die'
An analysis of a group of pesticides known as neonicotinoids has confirmed that they are harmful to wild bees and honey bees.
Long-awaited rabbit virus released
A long-awaited new rabbit virus is finally going to be released in Otago to control plagues of the pest.
Hopes nitrogen sensor will help farmers reach targets
The development of a nitrogen sensor for cow urine is hoped to help farmers reach environmental targets for nitrogen run off.
First Young Farmer contest for Wellington city
A couple of hundred farmers have taken over Crawford Green in Wellington today for a Young Farmer competition, the first to ever be held in the capital.
Cyclone devastates 'up to 50 percent' maize crops
The drought has been tough for Taranaki farmers but maize crops were flourishing. Now Cyclone Gita has torn through those too.
Gita: Motueka orchards hit hard
Orchards in the Motueka area have been hit hard by flooding from Cyclone Gita, prompting fears fruit will not make it to market.
Ditched newspapers the 'lifeblood' of rural communities
Stuff's decision to ditch 28 publications is shocking and will further isolate rural communities, Rural Women New Zealand says.
Tree goal will require better govt communication - consultant
The government needs to change its approach to forestry and communicate better with farmers, a consultant says.
West Coast farmers bracing as Gita looms
Farmers are battening down the hatches in preparation for ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita which is expected to hit the West Coast of New Zealand tomorrow.
Crackdown on dairy farm employment records planned
The government plans to crack down on dairy farm employment records this year.
Weather eases but Bay of Plenty still has extensive flooding
Floodwater is covering large parts of the eastern Bay of Plenty after 24 hours of heavy rain.
BoP flooding: reports large rivers have broken banks
Floodwater is covering large parts of the eastern Bay of Plenty after 24 hours of heavy rain.
Wellington beefs up farm dumping rules
Farmers illegally dumping rubbish face a crackdown from Greater Wellington Regional Council, which says it is an ongoing problem.