Rural
Midday Rural News for 22 August 2023
Honey producers are buzzing with Comvita's revenue increasing by $25 million.
Susan Murray has the rural news. Audio
Industry bodies welcome legislative protection for fruit and vegetable growing areas
Horticulture industry body Hort NZ says one of the new acts replacing the RMA will do a far better job at protecting New Zealand's fruit and vegetable growing areas.
A2 Milk boosts profits and Chinese sales, despite shrinking market
Sales from the company's China label infant milk formula exceeded sales in English-speaking countries for the first time.
Aladdin's cave of country music memorabilia
There's no room left in Barry Skinner's music museum in Hector. "I've run out of wall space so I'm hanging off the roof now," says the dobro and lap-steel playing collector. Video, Audio
A year on the farm: 'The young bull's semen is not that active'
In this episode Alistair and Genna have empty heifers to deal with after their new bull delivers low pregnancy rates. Audio
Farmers help to restore one of New Zealand's most polluted estuaries
Leah Tebbutt heads to Bay of Plenty to find out how farmers are restoring the health of one of New Zealand's most polluted estuaries. Audio
Dairy farmers prepare for 'tight times' as GDT prices crash
Dairy farmers still carrying debt fear for their viability while more established players are going over their budgets with a fine-tooth comb. Audio
Lambing taking off on end-of-runway farm
The paddocks on James Thomson's city limits sheep farm are starting to look like the arrivals lounge at Christchurch Airport during the school holidays. Audio
Maramataka another layer of diversity to a Bay of Plenty farm
Mohi Beckham is helping to turn a tired and depleted land into a fertile and productive farm. But the benefits extend to more than just the land. Audio
Supreme bacon brings home supreme prize for Hawke's Bay butcher
Wild Game owners Jordan and Varnnah Hamilton-Bicknell were named Supreme Winner in the bacon and the ham categories of the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards. Audio
Gin distillery fizzes with plans for home-grown juniper
Kapiti distillers harvest kawakawa from their historic Wairarapa farm to make award-winning gin. They're also trialling growing juniper berries and planting more natives. Novel pest traps, a bottle… Audio
Supreme bacon brings home supreme prize for Hawke's Bay butcher
Wild Game owners Jordan and Varnnah Hamilton-Bicknell were named Supreme Winner in both the bacon and the ham categories of the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards. Audio
Rural news wrap
RNZ's rural news reporter, Sally Murphy, takes a look at the week's rural news. Audio
Country Life for 11 August 2023
This week Country Life is in the bush picking kawakawa destined for artisan gin, a Bay of Plenty farmer recounts his story improving the land and his own mental health and - with the lambing season… Audio
Lambing's taking off on end of runway farm
The paddocks on James Thompson's city limits sheep farm are starting to look like the arrivals lounge at Christchurch Airport during the school holidays. Audio
'It's been tough': Some olive growers struggle with harvest
Extreme weather and the spread of disease have seen some North Island olive growers ditch harvesting altogether this season.
Milk payout prices slashed
Payout prices for milk have been slashed by 12 percent because of reduced demand in China.
Fonterra has changed it's forecast range to $6.25 - $7.75 a kilo of milk solids, with a midpoint of $7 per… Audio
A conversation in the cookhouse
Country Life talks to Jen Chrisp who cooks for the shepherds at Puketoro Station. She's carrying on the cookhouse tradition of New Zealand's extensive and remote back country farms. Audio
