Farming
Ewe won't baah-lieve it - Inside the secret lives of sheep
As animals go, the sheep might be considered by some as the perfect embodiment of docility, but they're not mundane mindless mammals - not in the slightest. Video
From cow to cone - a big scoop from Nelson
Milk from Murray King's farm on the lower Waimea River flats is crafted into award-winning ice cream. "We had to find a way of generating better income than we would by producing whole milk powder… Audio
Finding the flock - searching for stories from Flock House
A search is underway for descendants of hundreds of British boys sent out for farming training in New Zealand a century ago. Flock House, a flagship agricultural school in New Zealand was set up 100… Audio
Raising fowls for families impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle
A hen rescued from floodwaters in Cyclone Gabrielle is helping bring back life to farms one year on. Hawke's Bay farmer Sally Newall hatched the idea to gift chicks to families impacted by the cyclone… Audio
Rural News Wrap
A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Sally Murphy. Audio
Country Life for 29 March 2024
Appleby Farms, Flock House centenary and Cyclone Chicks Audio
Midday Rural News for 28 March 2024
An over-reliance on supplying logs for China's once booming construction sector is biting, as demand dries up - pulling prices down as forestry exports are forecast to drop 9 percent.
Sally Murphy… Audio
Drought declaration unlocks support for some North Island farmers, growers
Extremely dry conditions affecting North Island farms are not expected to improve in the short-term, the Minister of Agriculture says.
Midday Rural News for 27 March 2024
Farmers spending less is having flow-on effects in the regions, and it's been especially tough in Southland where some businesses have had to close down due to the economic downturn.
Sally Murphy has… Audio
Southland businesses hit as farmers slow spending
The Southland Chamber of Commerce says nearby service industries are doing it tough as farmers spending drops.
How climate change could affect microbes that give wine its specific flavours
The far-reaching consequences of climate change inevitably include the production of foods and beverages, including wine.
NZ importing battery eggs, despite local ban
Much of the country's imported animal products come from countries with lower welfare standards, report shows.
Midday Rural News for 26 March 2024
As part of the European Union Free Trade Deal, some cheese names like feta and gorgonzola will be protected so can't be used by New Zealand producers.
Sally Murphy has the rural news. Audio
Midday Rural News for 25 March 2024
The head of kiwifruit grower group NZKGI says growers are the most positive he's ever seen them at the start of a season.
Sally Murphy has the rural news. Audio
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.
Low-cost posts for farms and no landfill charges for vineyards
A start-up in Marlborough is busy repurposing damaged vineyard posts, that were used to hold up the canopy, into sustainable posts for farm fencing. Audio