Stories by Alexa Cook

Farmer confidence fell in the past three months on the back of election uncertainty and a slight shift in sheep and beef markets.

Some farmers are "genuinely worried" about the uncertain outcome of the election and are keeping their wallets in their pockets, Federated Farmers says.

DairyNZ only focuses on environmentally damaging grass-fed dairy systems, a farmer says, but the industry organisation has backed its science on the issue.

The Coal Action Network is appalled that a brand new dairy factory near Gore will be powered by coal burners, despite the region developing cleaner options.

A new study has found that mānuka and kānuka plants reduce nitrate leaching into waterways.

Farm sales for the three months to August are down 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

Many political parties are using farmers as an easy target for emotive policies that appeal to urban people, a South Canterbury farmer says.

A Waiau Trust in Southland is 20 years into its work with farmers to create and protect wetlands and waterways.

A Dunedin forensics company is expanding into the Australian market due to high demand for food traceability.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has killed 10 calves on a North Canterbury farm infected with the mycoplasma bovis disease.

A global shortage of vanilla has sent prices sky high, and the cost of vanilla is now more than double previous record prices.

There is a good chance dairy price forecasts could reach $7kg of milk solids before Christmas, ASB says.

Farmers in coastal Taranaki are struggling through what some say is the wettest few months they can remember.

Exports are down 21 percent - or 13,000 tonnes - for the season so far.

A North Canterbury farmer worried about the spread of cattle disease says the sector has to sit tight and wait to gauge the extent of infection.

A business expert from China is encouraging New Zealand businesses to have more of a presence on the ground in China.

A North Otago farmer is upset with the management of the cattle disease outbreak saying overnight his neighbour moved potentially infected bulls next to his cows.

The UMF Honey Association is frustrated that the Ministry for Primary Industries keeps delaying its scientific definition for mānuka honey.

Improvements to DNA sequencing technology will be able to help researchers solve genetic problems faster in animals, plants and other organisms, a Palmerston North scientist says.

After a slump following changes in the Chinese fashion industry, the outlook for New Zealand wool exports is more promising.

Rural insurance company FMG has lost $3.3 million this financial year, driven by Kaikōura earthquake claims.

Fewer farms sold in the July quarter compared to last year but median were higher, Real Estate Institute of New Zealand show.

A pine tree disease that can cause defoliation and slow growth is spreading from Taranaki, through Wairarapa and down to Wellington.

Milk on all farms in North Otago and South Canterbury will be tested for the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis, rather than testing milk tankers nationwide, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.

Native bee numbers tend to drop by about 90 percent when surrounded by high-intensity farming, a study shows.