Stories by Alexa Cook
News
Sheep breeding pioneer wins award
An 87-year-old retired sheep breeder has won an award for his contribution to the sheep industry.
Govt renews call for Landcorp dividends
The government wants better performance from Landcorp but is not looking at selling the state-owned enterprise, despite a review's recommendation.
Contractor wins case defending harvesting work
A court has found a contractor who two dairy farming brothers were trying to sue for $300,000 worth of damages to their silage crop was not at fault.
Canada's policies depress milk prices
Ten global dairy industry organisations, including one from New Zealand, are fighting for Canada to remove milk policies they say are depressing milk prices.
Golden kiwifruit will drive industry expansion - report
The popularity of golden kiwifruit is predicted to drive growth in the industry in the coming decades, a report says.
Farmer confidence soars to new highs
The confidence of New Zealand farmers is now at its highest recorded level since the Rabobank survey began 14 years ago.
Australian honey challenge to NZ Mānuka
Scientists say they've developed a process for authenticating a West Australian honey as having medicinal properties to rival manuka - but the New Zealand Mānuka industry says it's misleading
Breakthrough over merino footrot disease
A scientific breakthrough with merino sheep genetics will give farmers on flat land the ability to farm high value merino without the headache of footrot disease.
First bull sale for Murray family since quake
The Murray family in Clarence Valley have had their first big bull sale since the earthquake in November.
'Trojan Female Technique' could sterilise pest populations
A new technique that could be used to eradicate pests like mice and wasps has just been proven in the laboratory on fruit flies.
Annual primary sector exports to hit record high
The government is forecasting primary sector exports to grow by over 9 percent in the coming year to $41 billion.
Rural mental health: 'People are suffering in silence'
The mental health of New Zealand's rural communities is at a tipping point, a mental health expert says.
Dairy industry lays out plan to reduce greenhouse gases
The dairy industry has revealed a plan to try and reduce greenhouse gasses on dairy farms.
Fed Farmers withdraws appeal over Mackenzie Basin
Federated Farmers has withdrawn its appeal over the Environment Court's Mackenzie Basin decision.
Kaikōura funds query 'disappointing', farming group says
A farming group questioned about the spending of earthquake relief money says all of the funds have been spent helping the farming community get back on their feet.
Facebook group asked to detail Kaikōura quake spending
Questions are being asked about how more than $30,000 raised by a Facebook group for farmers for Kaikōura earthquake relief has been spent.
Feijoa yield 40 percent down on last year - farmer
With the feijoa season drawing to a close one farmer in Waikato says he has 40 percent less fruit than last year.
Fish and Game bans lead-based shot
Waterfowl can be poisoned if they eat lead-based shotgun ammunition, and the Fish and Game Council has voted to phase it out.
Dairy farmers warned of moving day pest risk
Dairy farmers are being warned to be careful not to spread pests and diseases as they move between farms next week.
Zespri more than doubles full-year profit
Zespri has more than doubled its full-year net profit despite a challenging season for green varieties of kiwifruit.
Higher milk pay-out puts $3.5bn into farmers' pockets - Fonterra
A pay-out of $6.15/kg of milk solids this season will give farmers an extra $3.5bn compared to last season, says Fonterra.
Govt flooding support missing the mark - BoP farmers
Bay of Plenty farmers are criticising the government's response to rural flooding from Cyclone Debbie.
Hops production in NZ slumps by 10 percent
New Zealand hop production is down by about 10 percent, at a time when a boom in craft beer breweries is pushing up demand.
Shrinking sector means more closures possible - Beef and Lamb NZ
A Silver Fern Farms shareholder says sheep farmers need more support and better prices otherwise plants will keep closing as farmers turn to more profitable land uses.
Kiwifruit sales to Japan up by almost a third in two seasons
Zespri's sales to Japan have grown by 30 percent in the past two seasons, with the Japanese kiwifruit market worth about $500 million last season.