Rural
Country Life Friday January 26 2024
Country Life checks in on a paddock-to-plate free range egg venture and a Canterbury lamb sale as well as consitions on farms and orchards around Aotearoa. Audio
The perfect storm for avocado growers
The current New Zealand Hass avocado season will be one growers will want to forget.
Fonterra to install its first electrode boiler at Edendale plant
The Southland site is next in line to have one of its coal boilers switched out for a renewable energy alternative.
US group abandons legal action on higher tariffs for NZ lamb
A US lobby group has backed down on its call for greater import tariffs on New Zealand lamb.
Grower's great wall of maize to keep out selfie-seekers
A Taranaki sunflower grower has had to take security measures (of a botanical nature) to deter Instagrammers. Audio
Red Sea attacks driving up freight costs - Rabobank
Tensions in the Red Sea are causing problems for exporters working to get key commodities into Europe.
Wool gathering pays off with high demand for natural sheepskin products
The rise in demand comes as people begin to turn away from plastic alternatives and "vegan" leather options.
Summer gardening tips with Fiona Eadie and Tony Murrell
Fiona Eadie is head gardener at Larnach Castle in Dunedin and Tony Murrell is principal designer at Auckland's Murrell Gardens. Together they have a wealth of knowledge to share and help our gardens… Audio
Racing pigs, rides and rural displays draw crowds to Kaikohe A&P
In the most anticipated political race since last year's general election, a piglet named David Seymour has beaten porker "The Jones Boy" - named in honour of NZ First's Shane Jones - by a nose.
Summer Series: Country Life for January 19
Country Life visits Pamu's deer milking operation near Taupo, learns about farming by the Maori lunar calendar - maramataka - and hears about the potential for banana-growing on the West Coast. Audio
Where have all the apples gone? Cyclone Gabrielle, end of season affecting supply
We all know what they say about an apple a day - but what about when the shelves are empty?
Hunters told to start 'solid strength and fitness training' ahead of roar
Outdoor safety advocates are urging hunters to get into shape ahead of the coming roar hunting season to avoid risking serious injury.
Prices up at latest Global Dairy Trade auction
The overall price index is now up more than 2 percent.
Summer Series: Country Life for January 12
Stories from the 2023 archive: Cosmo's at a high country station in the far south, Leah checks in on a toy treasure trove in Te Puke and Sally's off grid with a former Wellington mayor. Audio
'Ghastly' theft as farm loses hundreds of kgs of blueberries
At this time of year, it was a significant loss for the Bay Blueberries farm.
Criticism helps spur shearer Amy Silcock to break world record
A shearing champion says stubbornness and determination to prove critics wrong saw her crack a world record on Sunday.
Ewe beauty! New eight-hour shearing world record set in Wairarapa
A former farmer has smashed the women's solo world record for most ewes shorn in eight hours.
Summer Series: Country Life for January 5
Stories from the 2023 archive: Leah meets a Northland olive grower, Cosmo's scratching cows with Loulou the Cow Whisperer and Sally's out hunting for a good cause. Audio
Summer Series: Country Life for December 29
Stories plucked from the 2023 archives: Cosmo's with chooks on a cliff edge, Sally's picking apples and Leah meets a dairy farmer who hails from Japan. Audio
Rural Taranaki turns on the festive charm
The Grinch is surfing through paddocks and cows are driving tractors on the rural roadside of Taranaki...but who won the festive farm art competition? Audio