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Sheep farmers cutting costs, looking for new income sources as prices plummet
One of them said Wellington was "a vortex sucking cash out of the rest of the economy".
Alarm bells over avian flu virus
New Zealand has so far managed to dodge the H5N1 virus, but it's becoming increasingly concerning to scientists, and it's on our doorstep Audio
In pictures: From 'shocker' kumara crop to 'best in 20 years'
After the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Gabrielle, Kaipara's kumara growers are celebrating a bumper harvest.
'Timing is not good' for H5N1 pandemic - flu scientist
If the bird flu infecting cows in the US figures out human-to-human transmission, the timing could not be worse, a prominent Kiwi flu researcher says. Audio
The future of farming: Robots and drones
NZ could have a competitive advantage to be the closest to net zero dairy in the world, fifth-generation farmer Stu Taylor says. Audio
Asparagus tips: Preparation and patience the key
For those with asparagus patches: what to do to prep for a boomer crop in spring. Or, if you are planning an asparagus patch: how to kick start it. Audio
Duck hunting season begins with first wheelchair-accessible maimai
It's the opening day of the game bird season and more than 5000 shooters are expected to turn out today in the Otago region alone.
City couple's mushroom venture sprouts from pandemic
On the rural outskirts of Taupō a young couple have started a mushroom venture far removed from their previous life in Auckland. Maggie Tweedie took a trip to a small block of land amid the green… Audio
From the Archives - D-Day for Ducks
In 1973 Alan Wilkes was out with his Labrador Zara and comrades at the opening of the duck shooting season. This story from the Spectrum archives was recorded on Kohangatera, a network of lagoons… Audio
Duck shooting - a family tradition
West Otago farmer, Adrian McIntyre, says the late grain harvest down his way means there are plenty of ducks around for the opening of the duck shooting season. The first weekend is a bit like… Audio
On the Farm - a wrap of conditions around the country
Many drought-declared areas have now had some rain, but farms still have very low pasture covers going into winter. There's been superb weather for the gold kiwifruit harvest in Bay of Plenty which… Audio
Country Life for Friday May 3 2024
This week Country Life meets a young couple who left their city life to set up a mushroom farm and heads to the maimai with a hunter at daybreak at the start of the duck shooting season half a century… Audio
The future of farming
Craigmore Sustainables manages more than 25,000 hectares of farming, forestry, and horticultural properties. Audio
Midday Rural News for 3 May 2024
Farmers are preparing to cull crop-eating ducks from their farms. Audio
