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 Authority public hearing Tuesday morning. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

"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 Nelson, Marlborough, northern Canterbury, northern Otago and parts of Northland, Manawatū-Whanganui, and Wellington.    Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

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 healthcare services. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Several gold kiwifruit growers are selling their high value, sought-after, gold kiwifruit licences and quitting the industry. Sally Murphy has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Launched in Wellington last night, beekeepers plan to revive the industry with a strategy which aims to double honey exports to a billion dollars by 2030. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Pāmu, the state-owned farming company, also known as Landcorp, has reported a half-year net operating profit of $3 million. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Fishing company executives are meeting with officials from the Ministry for Primary Industries today to discuss cameras on commercial fishing boats, amongst other things. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Nearly 4000 tonnes of cherries have been sent offshore this summer. Summerfruit New Zealand chief executive, Kate Hellstrom says good sunny weather in key growing region Central Otago led to great quality fruit - most of which headed to Taiwan and China. Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Cordons are in place around the fire, but Fire and Emergency has been allowing farmers access to manage livestock Thursday morning. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Devastated but not defeated is how one grower is describing the situation. Early in the hours of February 14th last year, metres of floodwater ran through Linden Estate in the hard-hit Esk Valley - silt covered six-hectares of grape vines and tore through the cellar door. Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

A Tolaga Bay farming couple are still picking up the pieces after Cyclone Gabrielle. Mike and Bridget Parker say a year on from the cyclone and they're still clearing their land, with little help from authorities. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Fonterra has lifted its farmgate forecast milk price for this season by 30 cents to a new mid-point of 7-dollars-80 a kilogram of milk solids. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Alliance is busy pushing lamb, beef and venison into China - just in time for Chinese New Year celebrations, which kick off later this month.  Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Despite exporting more beef and sheep-meat last year than in 2022, the value was down 11 percent to just over $10 billion. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A large fire in Waipara on Tuesday got close to vineyards, but there haven't been any reports of vines being lost. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

New research out of Lincoln University has found leaders in the primary industries sector are most worried about the impact of climate change, extreme weather and water quality. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Māori kiwifruit growers, which has 42 growers mostly around Bay of Plenty, sent three containers of fruit to Hawaii and this year they're planning to send 16 as they plan to ramp up their exports. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Fertiliser use is down as cash-strapped farmers look to reduce spending where they can. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Former farmer and Federated Farmers board member Miles Anderson says farmers have been given a raw deal by decision makers for too long. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Fire and Emergency has fire bans in place in parts of Otago, Mackenzie, Canterbury, Marlborough and coastal Wairarapa - and further restrictions across much of the South Island. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

With parliament sitting from tomorrow, farmers want to know what the Government's plan is for the roll-back of rules and regulations it campaigned on last year. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The current avocado season will be one to forget with record low volumes of avocados exported, down by more than a million trays so far, with many orchards still recovering after three seasons of terrible weather. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Abysmal and tragic is how farmers are describing the prices they're being paid for lamb this season - with many re-considering their future in the sector.  Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

R-CALF USA which represents sheep farmers is busy meeting with members of congress to push its agenda - to get higher tariffs on imported sheep-meat from New Zealand and Australia. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

After seven years in the top job, and 21 years at Zespri's chief executive Dan Mathieson has announced he will move on. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The New Zealand wood industry is closely watching the conflict in the Red Sea as global shipping costs are rising as a result of the disrupted supply chain. Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

Farmers are being urged to be careful on motorbikes while working this festive season.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

Food and fibre exports are forecast to fall.

News from the rural and farming sector.

Wet weather is putting the East Coast's arable farmers behind schedule.

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

the summer shearing season is underway - but gangs are struggling to find rhythm with consistent wet weather holding things up. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Dairy co-operative Fonterra has raised its forecast farmgate milk price for this season  - thanks to stronger demand for dairy. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

Palm kernel expeller, or PKE, is imported here from Indonesia and Malaysia to be used as supplementary feed on dairy farms. The use of P-K-E has come under scrutiny in recent years due to its links to deforestation by the palm oil industry - prompting companies like state-owned farming business Pāmu, formerly Landcorp, stopping using it entirely, in 2017. Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

National's Todd McClay is meeting with industry leaders and officials this week to fine tune policies and to plan how they'll be rolled out. Monique Steele has the rural news.

Morning Rural News for 4 December 2023.

From May next year China will stop accepting frozen velvet imports bound for its traditional medicinal market - deciding to use dried velvet only. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Far North Solar Farm wants to install enough solar panels to power a hundred thousand homes on 670 hectares of land that's currently used for dairy farming. Sally Murphy has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

The Livestock Improvement Corporation's is paying farmers over $2 million over semen quality issues. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Vegetables New Zealand is optimistic the new government has food security front of mind and will back the expansion of vegetable growing areas in New Zealand. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Access roads have been washed out, there are massive slips on some back country, and fences have been destroyed again - after over 225 millimetres of rain fell in Tai Rāwhiti over the weekend. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

After weeks of waiting - the primary sector finally knows who it will be working with for the next three years. Todd McClay who has been National's agriculture spokesperson since March will take on the Agriculture portfolio - and will also be minister of forestry, hunting and fishing and minister for trade. Sally Murphy has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Data from Te Whatu Ora shows since medicinal cannabis was legalised in 2020, prescriptions have grown from about a 1,000 a month to over 8,000 a month. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Zespri has released a record forecast. Prices paid to growers for the upcoming season are forecast to be really strong thanks to better fruit quality and descent demand from international markets. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

Japanese-owned forestry company Juken has told 60 staff this morning, they will lose their jobs in the week before Christmas.  Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Farmer-owned red meat co-op Alliance has reported a loss after tax of $70 million for the year ended September - a big flip from last year's $73.6 dollar profit. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Wood chopping, dog trials, rare breeds and a beautiful Belgian Blue cow are all on display at the New Zealand Agricultural Show in Ōtautahi today. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Sanford's revenue is up despite selling a lower volume of mussels and squid. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Farmers are being told to check their paddocks of maize and sweetcorn in particular for the crop-destroying moth fall armyworm well into summer. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A new study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal has found heart attack patients presenting at urban hospitals receive more timely care than those at rural or smaller urban hospitals. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Dairy giant Fonterra wants a 30 percent intensity reduction in on-farm emissions by 2030. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

East Coast farmers are facing more heavy rain, but no reports of any major damage so far, after the heavy deluge around Wairoa overnight - although there are reports farmland has slipped and some farms are cut off. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Zespri board advisor and former prime minister Sir John Key met with China's foreign minister today where he brought up illegal plantings of gold kiwifruit. Monique Steele has the business news.

News from the rural farming sector.

 Lamb prices have dropped to levels not seen for six years taking more than 20 percent off sheep farmers' incomes. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Beef and Lamb has hit back at a US lobby group which is calling for the government there to limit imports of New Zealand sheep meat. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A lack of demand for asparagus is seeing growers lose money on every bunch that's sold. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The Reserve Bank has released some farm-emissions modelling and it paints a stark picture - under the scenario of the highest emissions pricing model, most sheep and beef farms, and nearly half of dairy farms could become unprofitable. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Farm sales are expected to pick up later this spring - with better weather and certainty around a new government. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Forestry company Juken is looking at options for the future of its Gisborne mill - due to ongoing financial difficulties and falling demand. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Parts of the south were left looking like a winter wonderland Friday morning - after a light dumping of snow overnight. Bruce Eade who farms in Tapanui just north of Gore says he woke to a sprinkling of snow about quarter to five this morning, but a couple extra inches fell while he was milking his herd. Sally Murphy has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

On-going consent delays are causing issues for farmers with the Canterbury Regional Council is failing to approve consents within certain timeframes. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Cross-bred wool prices have climbed to the highest level in seven years prompting calls for farmers to re-set the time and money they put into clip preparation. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural and farming sector.

After storms in 2018 and earlier this year resulted in mountains of forestry waste damaging bridges and smashing through farmland, the Gisborne District Council has successfully prosecuted a number of forest companies. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The best of the best were crowned at the Beef and Lamb New Zealand awards on Thursday night. Hundreds gathered at Christchurch's Te Pae convention centre to celebrate. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A dry early spring is creating uncertainty as to whether the largest dam to be built - since the Clyde Dam three decades ago - will be filled as hoped, by December. Monique Steel has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A recently released University of Auckland study has found NCEA results and University Entrance rates were about 15 percent lower for rural students, compared to their urban counterparts. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The latest from the farming sector.

The seaweed sector is hoping some changes will be made so it can grow and profit from the lucrative wild algae, which is worth more than $20 billion a year globally. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

There's a whole new cohort of farmers and those with backgrounds in primary industries set to make it into parliament, following early election results. Most notably, it looks like former Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard will become an MP. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Fonterra takes out the top spot as the country's largest greenhouse gas emitter for the third year in a row.    

News from the rural farming sector.

A rural school principal says staff shortages, remote locations and poor access to educational providers are challenges for all rural schools. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A sheep milk exporter says changing rules around the export dairy quota allocation system will let the fledgling industry expand more easily.  Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Massey University is proposing reducing staff in food technology and plant and natural sciences by 60 percent with more than 100 jobs expected to go.  Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Dairy giant Fonterra has increased its milk forecast payout for this 2023/24 season by 50 cents. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Thousands of voters could miss out on their right to vote in next week's general election (Saturday October 14) as hundreds of polling booths - especially in remote locations - will be closed on election day. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has allocated $20,000 to the Southland Rural Support Trust to distribute among farmers and growers. Culverts were washed out, paddocks flooded, trees downed and stock lost when strong wind and heavy rain hit the lower South Island two weeks ago.  Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Volatility in global markets and softer consumer demand including from our biggest customer, China is hitting exports. That slump in beef exports to China has hit farmgate prices here.  Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Asparagus growers, in the two key growing regions of Waikato and Horowhenua, are on tenterhooks with temperatures predicted to plunge overnight. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

There are early warnings that the just-arrived El Niño weather pattern could produce droughts as severe as ones suffered in 1982 and 1997.  Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

NIWA says an El Niño has officially arrived. The weather pattern brings strong winds which could cause dryness and drought to East Coast regions, like Canterbury, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay. Sally Murphy has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector.

The value of what we're throwing out has risen to $3.2 billion - due to higher food costs. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The New Zealand wool flooring manufacturer Bremworth is hoping to boost confidence in the wool sector by offering ten-year contracts for farmer suppliers. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Rainfall watches are in place through to this evening and totals over the past 24 hours are ranging from 70 to 150 millimetres in Bay of Plenty and 300 millimetres north of Gisborne. Susan Murray has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Many farmers are in damage control, putting out supplementary feed and moving stock after heavy rainfall resulted in flooding across the Southland region. Monique Steele has the business news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Fonterra has made a record profit with the dairy giant's profit for the year to July was $1.6 billion dollars, a 170% lift on last year.  Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Heavy rainfall destroyed around four million young plants at the country's three main propagators at Bay of Plenty nurseries, earlier this year. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Animal welfare group SAFE has asked parties polling over 5 percent for their thoughts on a range of policy stances relating to animal welfare. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Farm buildings have been destroyed, trees are down and power is still out on some farms in the central North Island after strong gusts lashed the country over the weekend. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Farmers we've spoken to say it was a great debate at Mystery Creek that will help many decide their final vote for next month's election. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The $44 million given to remove silt and woody debris after Cyclone Gabrielle is starting to run low and crews working to remove it have been told to slow down. Silt recovery taskforce lead Darren de Klerk acknowledged the slow-down is sitting tough with some growers.  Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A new project is set to breed sheep of the future. Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Leptospirosis cases in humans are on the rise, but an expert in infectious zoonotic diseases - passed from animals to humans - says more research is needed to understand how the bacterial disease is being transmitted between animals and between species. Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural and farming sectors.

Feed levels are already getting tight in Hawke's Bay, and an El Niño weather system is expected to bring more dry and westerly winds in the coming weeks. Sally Murphy has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

North Carolina company Hoofprint Biome has developed a feed supplement with natural enzymes that reduced methane emissions by up to 80 per cent in lab trials on artificial rumen. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Animal rights group SAFE launched a new advertising campaign focused on National's live export policy. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

After blocking imports of our dairy products, Canada has been told it's been breaking international trading rules and needs to stop. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The recruiting of rural general practice doctors from overseas has just received a financial boost. Doctors applying to work in rural primary-care practices can now access a relocation allowance.  Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Merino has been the shining light in the wool industry in recent years - reaching higher prices for growers - however increased costs and a drop in consumer demand has hit the company's balance sheet. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

The Overseas Investment Office has just released its first round of decisions - with two of the three applications being declined. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Pāmu chief executive, Mark Leslie, says the business now faces a poor outlook for commodity prices, as well as costs associated with the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.  Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector.

Māori-owned Moana Fisheries says people need all the facts about commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf before responding to government plans to restrict fishing there. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

The US market could offer a glimmer of hope for struggling sheep meat prices - with more New Zealand product being exported there. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector.

The single-desk kiwifruit exporter Zespri admits it was not nimble enough to deal with poor quality fruit late last year which threatened the reputation of the $4 billion industry. Susan Murray has sports.

News from the rural and farming sectors.

A number of rural school principals nationwide are bucking the Government's plan to outfit 800 schools with synthetic flooring tiles - and are fundraising to purchase New Zealand wool carpet themselves. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural and farming sectors.

Honey producers are buzzing with Comvita's revenue increasing by $25 million. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural and farming sectors.

A2 has today announced its financial results and its sales have risen by more than ten percent amid a challenging market. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

A further price shock is rattling the rural sector as dairy giant Fonterra slashes its milk price forecast for the second time in a fortnight.  Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

Conservation group Forest and Bird is calling on the fishing industry to put an end date on the controversial practice of bottom trawling.  Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

New Zealand dairy farmers are gritting their teeth as global dairy prices nose-dive to a four-year low. Monique Steele has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Rural services provider PGG Wrightson's annual profit has dropped by nearly a third with high debt and weaker real estate impacting returns. Monique Steele has the rural news. 

News from the rural farming sector.

It's been six months since Cyclone Gabrielle hit the East Coast, and in the worst hit regions along the East Coast many farmers and growers are still in survival mode. Monique Steele has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

R-CALF USA, the largest body representing producers of cattle and sheep in America, says the sheep industry there has been decimated over the last three decades with an explosion of lamb and mutton from Australia and New Zealand pushing down returns for local producers. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

Morning Rural news for 11 August 2023.

Punnets of kiwifruit have been recalled in the US - over listeria concerns. Zespri says the fruit has been traced back to two orchards - so all the fruit from them is now on hold - which is about 3,400 trays. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector With over 15 thousand signatures the petition calling on the government to use only wool carpets in its buildings has so far failed to reach the final stage due to an administrative error. New figures have confirmed the conversion of farmland to forestry has slowed amid uncertainty around the future of carbon credits. While export beef and lamb prices continue to drop - the venison market is beginning to show some strength.

News from the rural farming sector.

Some confronting footage of effluent from a pig farm overflowing into a stream has been released by Waikato Regional Council. Sally Murphy has the rural news.  

News from the rural farming sector.

An advisor says many farmers will be working 50 hour weeks for the rest of the year without taking home a paycheck due to falling commodity prices. Schedules for sheep and beef continue a downward spiral with competition from overseas producers and lower international demand. Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector.

Securing a stable workforce was top of the agenda at this morning's Apples and Pears Conference in Christchurch.  Sally Murphy has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

Hawkes Bay growers say following changes the Government has made to one of its cyclone recovery packages, they have a clearer path forward. Monique Steel has the rural news.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

Rural school principals are amongst those on the picket line today.

News from the rural and farming sector.

Issues with ferry services aren't helping the flow of primary sector goods.

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector. Susan Murray has the rural news.

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural farming sector

News from the rural and farming sector.