Stories by Monique Steele
News
Dry weather a double-edged sword
A lack of rain on the North Island's East Coast may be good for the area's fruit and vegetable growers - but the dry is starting to bite for pastoral farmers.
Fishers more 'vigilant' after on-boat cameras introduced - industry leads
It comes as new data shows a dramatic increase of dolphin captures and other fish and seabirds by the commercial fishing industry. Audio
'Keeping up' with demand the biggest challenge for Canterbury Biltong
A Christchurch company is expanding production of its South African-style dried meat snacks once again to keep up with insatiable demand.
'Shaky' times for scientific research as Our Land and Water challenge set to end
The gains made in agricultural science over the past decade could slow as the government funding tap runs dry, the programme's director says.
Imam dairy farmer fined $200,000 over migrant exploitation
One of the workers raised the alarm with MBIE.
Third-generation cowboy takes out national rodeo championship
Johnson Davis has been riding since he was a toddler and says he is "chuffed" to have the title - and the winner's trophy saddle.
NZ Forestry 'struck to our knees' by weak demand
Log inventories are piling up as orders from China slow in wait for prices to hit rock bottom, a forestry consultant says.
Drought a boon for salt works
Dry conditions are no good for farmers right now, but at Dominion Salt's works south of Blenheim, workers can't get enough.
Industry body calls for consistency over agricultural spraying rules
Unworkable and inconsistent regulations are making agricultural spraying near-impossible in some areas, says the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association.
Tomatoes so cheap growers won't break even
With tomatoes retailing for as low as $2.99 a kilogram in supermarkets, it's not good news for growers, the industry says.
Project aims to help mussel beds recover at top of South Island
Kaitiakitanga, or guardianship, is driving a project to restore wild mussel beds around the ocean floor at the top of the South Island after years of overfishing.
Auckland lecturer buzzing as she heads to the US to study bees
Auckland computer scientist heading to the US to work on predicting stress levels in bees.
Government allots $6.2m for passionfruit project in Vietnam
The partnership will have NZ scientists sharing planting practices, post-harvest and processing work, and how to export the high-value horticultural produce.
Growers eye sweet spot in the market for locally-grown bananas
A Northland horticulturist hopes consumers will soon be able to buy locally-grown bananas in New Zealand.
'Sensible' for infant formula producers to look beyond China for sales
The advice comes as China increases its own domestic dairy production and birth rates remain low.
More than 11,000 support petition to keep ban on live animal exports
The petition's organiser says he worked in the livestock export industry for 40 years and fears repealing the ban will unravel all the hard work that has been done.
Dry conditions in South Island a 'tough time' for farmers - Minister
Some farmers at the top of the South Island are already distributing their winter feed supplies to stock as dry conditions bite.
'Preposterous' - environmental group rails against plan for marine farm resource consents
The government is proposing extending the duration of all existing consents by 25 years - removing the need for new ones.
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.
Cyclone-damaged wool scourer 'very close' to full opening after $50m rebuild
WoolWorks New Zealand is shaking off a challenging and costly year, as it turns a corner in its Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.
Golden Shears competitor: 'All my family have always competed'
Shearing is in the blood for the Wairarapa-based Gordon family who have been competing in the Golden Shears international shearing and woolhandling contest for decades.
Horticulture and agriculture will benefit from null segregants re-classification - scientist
Null segregants are descended from genetically-modified plant or animal organisms, but don't contain the genetic modification.
Mānuka honey producer Comvita 'disappointed' at interim loss
Revenue was down due to weaker consumer demand in China and losing a major customer in North America.
Social media reunites Irish student in NZ with stolen notes
The power of social media has helped an Irish aPhD student reunite with vital lab notes stolen while she was travelling around NZ.