Rural
SIS agent turned freshwater champion Mike Joy
Freshwater ecologist Mike Joy is a controversial figure who says things some people don't want to hear. He came to academia late, after time spent as a mechanic, milkman, truck driver, agent with the… Audio
Farmer retires land he says "shouldn't ever have animals on it"
"I've been farming on my own account for 52 years and cut down a fair share of trees, so now is my time to leave this place better than we found it," Chris Bolderston told Country Life. Audio
"It's lovely planting new trees and making nature"
Children are planting trees to recreate the understorey of remnant ancient forest on the edge of a South Wairarapa river. It's the second story in a series about the Ruamahanga Farm Trust which wants… Audio
Adding birds to the farmer's toolbox
The growing strips of plantings separating rivers and roads from farmland on the Canterbury Plains has piqued the interest of Dr Sara Kross, an expert in how to encourage biodiversity on farm. Audio
Country Life Friday 6 September 2024
It's Conservation Week! This time the Country Life team meet a North Canterbury farmer who is retiring land he says "shouldn't ever have animals on it", we check back in with the school children… Audio
A bird on the farm worth two in the bush?
How do you stop birds colliding with New York's skyscrapers and how can New Zealand farmers benefit from birds and other wildlife? These are just some of the questions Dr Sara Kross has been trying to…
Farmer retires land he says 'shouldn't ever have animals on it'
"I've been farming on my own account for 52 years and cut down a fair share of trees, so now is my time to leave this place better than we found it," Chris Bolderston told Country Life.
Agriculture industry hits out at proposed 'tax on a tax'
Agricultural aviators say a proposed increase of its industry levy will disproportionately impact agriculture.
A sweet life farming salt - "just a man and his bucket"
James Moore is up to his knees in the waves at Cable Bay in Northland, a bucket in each hand. He's a small-scale salt farmer, with a plan to help others into salt farming. Audio
The Ruatoria 'Noah's ark' for native plants
Māori conservationist Graeme Atkin is at home in Ruatoria where he's collected the "Noah's Ark" of endangered wild cuttings, including the beautiful ngutukākā or kākābeak flower. Audio
Guest - Dairy farmer Stephen Crawford
South Otago's biggest organic dairy farm might go conventional after news the dairy company which picks up the milk is reviewing the premiums for organic milk. Audio
On the Farm - a wrap of conditions around the country
It's been a kind winter for most North Island farmers now busy with lambing and calving, with warmer temperatures and plenty of rain helping to keep the grass growing. Meanwhile sheep farmers in the… Audio
Country Life Friday 30 August 2024
This week the Country Life team heads to a small-scale salt farm in Northland and meets a conservationist collecting endangered wildflowers. Audio
Farmers spending millions of dollars on pest control
Federated Farmers latest pest survey of 700 farmers found farmers are spending on average $5.45 a hectare controlling pests like deer, goats, possums, cats and geese
Fonterra to spend $75 million expanding Studholme site
The site will become a "hub for high value proteins" designed for "premium" products such as medical and sports nutrition.
Plea for surplus hemp by-product to be used as animal feed
A hemp company says it's dumping tonnes of a by-product that could be used as animal feed.
