Stories by Alexa Cook
News
Southern dairy research centre opens
The $20 million Southern Dairy Hub near Invercargill has officially opened today.
Lambs and cows rescued from floodwaters
A Martinborough farmer with widespread flooding and land slips has spent the past 24 hours rescuing stock and has lost at least a handful of last season's lambs.
Russia warns dairy restrictions possible after butter tests
Russia is warning of a potential restriction on New Zealand dairy products after finding butter from this country tested positive twice for the antibiotic tetracycline.
Snow hits North Island farms: 'This is a really good dump'
An Ohakune farmer says this week's snow storm is the worst he's seen in at least ten years.
South Island farmers well prepared for snow
While the wintry blast is closing roads and causing delays across the country - farmers say they are well prepared for the first storm of winter.
Country-of-origin test for blood products launched
A Dunedin forensics company has launched a scientific test to verify the country of origin of high-value Fetal Bovine Serum.
Farmers braced for 'alarming snow event'
Farmers in the hill country and foothills of Mid and North Canterbury are in the firing line.
Lower Chinese milk production good for NZ - analyst
Consumption of dairy products in Asia is lacklustre, but a drop in China's milk production will be good news for New Zealand, a visiting Chinese dairy analyst says.
Sheep breeding pioneer wins award
An 87-year-old retired sheep breeder has won an award for his contribution to the sheep industry.
Govt renews call for Landcorp dividends
The government wants better performance from Landcorp but is not looking at selling the state-owned enterprise, despite a review's recommendation.
Contractor wins case defending harvesting work
A court has found a contractor who two dairy farming brothers were trying to sue for $300,000 worth of damages to their silage crop was not at fault.
Canada's policies depress milk prices
Ten global dairy industry organisations, including one from New Zealand, are fighting for Canada to remove milk policies they say are depressing milk prices.
Golden kiwifruit will drive industry expansion - report
The popularity of golden kiwifruit is predicted to drive growth in the industry in the coming decades, a report says.
Farmer confidence soars to new highs
The confidence of New Zealand farmers is now at its highest recorded level since the Rabobank survey began 14 years ago.
Australian honey challenge to NZ Mānuka
Scientists say they've developed a process for authenticating a West Australian honey as having medicinal properties to rival manuka - but the New Zealand Mānuka industry says it's misleading
Breakthrough over merino footrot disease
A scientific breakthrough with merino sheep genetics will give farmers on flat land the ability to farm high value merino without the headache of footrot disease.
First bull sale for Murray family since quake
The Murray family in Clarence Valley have had their first big bull sale since the earthquake in November.
'Trojan Female Technique' could sterilise pest populations
A new technique that could be used to eradicate pests like mice and wasps has just been proven in the laboratory on fruit flies.
Annual primary sector exports to hit record high
The government is forecasting primary sector exports to grow by over 9 percent in the coming year to $41 billion.
Rural mental health: 'People are suffering in silence'
The mental health of New Zealand's rural communities is at a tipping point, a mental health expert says.
Dairy industry lays out plan to reduce greenhouse gases
The dairy industry has revealed a plan to try and reduce greenhouse gasses on dairy farms.
Fed Farmers withdraws appeal over Mackenzie Basin
Federated Farmers has withdrawn its appeal over the Environment Court's Mackenzie Basin decision.
Kaikōura funds query 'disappointing', farming group says
A farming group questioned about the spending of earthquake relief money says all of the funds have been spent helping the farming community get back on their feet.
Facebook group asked to detail Kaikōura quake spending
Questions are being asked about how more than $30,000 raised by a Facebook group for farmers for Kaikōura earthquake relief has been spent.
Feijoa yield 40 percent down on last year - farmer
With the feijoa season drawing to a close one farmer in Waikato says he has 40 percent less fruit than last year.