Farming
Are dairy calves better off being with their mothers?
Researchers will compare whether dairy calves are better off being with their mums or being reared by people.
Midday Rural News for 28 February 2024
Grain prices are continuing their downward trend, meaning some growers won't break-even this season in the face of high production costs.
Sally Murphy has the rural news. Audio
85-year-old Kaipara farmer fined for neglect of animals that had to be euthanised
An elderly woman who has been farming all her life chose to ignore the obvious suffering of her livestock, with a judge sending a warning to other farmers in the same position - either retire from…
Midday Rural News for 27 February 2024
The country's largest kiwifruit grower, Seeka, says any risks posed by a common agri-chemical can be mitigated.
Seeka representatives spoke about hydrogen cyanamide at an Environmental Protection… Audio
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.
Midday Rural News for 26 February 2024
"Bloody dry" is how farmers are describing current condition, with many offloading stock due to concerns over feed and water levels.
Niwa's latest hotspot shows conditions are extremely dry in… Audio
'He's a very good looking pig, that one!'
Rick Martin and Nairn Illingworth farm a drove of happy heritage pigs, and their bacon and porchetta butties have punters lining up at the farmers' market. Audio
'He's a very good looking pig, that one!'
Rick Martin and Nairn Illingworth farm a drove of happy heritage pigs on their small farm in Marlborough's Onamalutu Valley Audio
Truck driver takes to the water to reach farms
A large blue truck and trailer unit has become a common sight in the Marlborough Sounds as it's barged to farms to pick up and drop off livestock. Audio
Rural News Wrap
A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Sally Murphy. Audio
Country Life for Friday 23 February 2024
This week on Country Life, how stock are barged in and out by sea after roadways are blocked, a visit to the Turakina Highland Games, and a chat with heritage pig farmers in Marlborough. Audio
Midday Rural News for 23 February 2024
A new study has shown further evidence of inequities in rural healthcare services. Researchers at the University of Otago looked at how patients in rural and urban centres use hospitals and other… Audio
State-owned farming company drops quad bikes after deaths
State-owned farming company Pāmu has replaced quad bikes on all its farms across the country.
Midday Rural News for 22 February 2024
Several gold kiwifruit growers are selling their high value, sought-after, gold kiwifruit licences and quitting the industry.
Sally Murphy has the rural news.
Audio